(Salt Lake City, UT) — The LDS Church is backing a federal bill that protects gay marriage as long it also protects the rights of opposing religious groups. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement yesterday saying it would support a modified version of a federal same-sex marriage bill that also offers protections for religious organizations that may not support such marriages. Utah Senator Mitt Romney has been working with supporters of the Respect for Marriage Act to work out a compromise. The bill could come up for a vote this week.