Mormon Church Wants More Compassion for Gays The Mormon church has a new campaign to encourage its members to be more compassionate toward gays and lesbians. Church authorities insist they aren't changing the Mormon teaching that same-sex relationships are sinful. However, the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints says it wants to foster more understanding of homosexuality among Mormons and a more civil conversation about the issue. The LDS church is making the push through a new website leaders launched Thursday. Mormons faced intense criticism after church leaders helped fund the fight for California's Proposition 8. The 2008 ballot measure put in place a ban on gay marriage. Church authorities said they were stunned by the backlash. Since then, the church has been trying to reach out to gays and lesbians to heal tensions. Online: www.mormonsandgays.org