REXBURG - Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Eastern Idaho are now playing a role in the California marriage debate.

The Church is one of several religious and community groups that are members of the Protect Marriage Coalition - an organization with the goal of keeping marriage between one man and one woman.

California-citizen members of the Church currently living in Idaho are being organized by the LDS Church to make phone calls in support of California's Proposition 8.

BYU-Idaho student Stephen Whittier spent part of last summer knocking on doors in California telling people about proposition 8.

"I think it just goes to show how serious the church is about it," says Whittier. "Most of the people are unaware of what proposition 8 is."

Heather Nielsen also campaigned in California She is one of many responding to a request from church leaders to campaign in favor of the proposition.

"The biggest thing is awareness - getting people to know what proposition 8 is," says Nilsen.

Prop 8 calls for an amendment to the California state constitution that would only recognize marriage between a man and a woman.

Mormons in that state have been vocal in supporting the proposal but now Latter-Day Saints in Eastern Idaho are getting involved.

"I think that there's a population in Southeastern Idaho where we have placed emphasis on home and family," says Jolene Smith, a woman who supports Prop 8.

Members of the LDS church are becoming so involved with this campaign that they're sending out letters and making phone calls to people in California encouraging them to research the issue.

"We're up against a tough crowd. People that are against it are spending tons of money with commercials and ads," says Nilsen.

While Mormons are spending money too, leaders hope having so many people getting involved in so many places will make a big difference.

"They've been very active about it and are making sure that everyone's being accounted for," says Whittier.

Wednesday night three LDS church leaders addressed members in California over a satellite broadcast from Salt Lake.

They discussed the church's position on the proposition and it's relationship with the Protect Marriage Coalition.