Mormon Leader to Speak at Conservative Conference in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A top Mormon leader is scheduled to give the keynote speech Tuesday at the opening day of a conservative conference in Utah that has elicited strong opposition from LGBT groups.

About 3,000 attendees are expected in Salt Lake City for the World Congress of Families event to hear a lineup of 185 speakers explain why they think families led by a man and woman who are married are best for society. M. Russell Ballard, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will deliver the remarks.

LGBT groups call the organization a dangerous hate group that promotes anti-gay legislation around the world. World Congress of Families officials say opponents are distorting the facts to shut down dialogue.