SALT LAKE CITY — A top Mormon leader reaffirmed the religion’s opposition to same-sex marriage Saturday during a church conference — and reminded followers watching around the world that children should be raised in families led by a married man and woman no matter what becomes the norm in a “declining world.”

The speech by Dallin Oaks, a member of a top governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, followed a push in recent years by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to uphold theological opposition to gay marriage amid widespread social acceptance while trying to foster an empathetic stance toward LGBT people.

The Mormon church is one of many conservative faith groups navigating the challenges that arise from trying to strike a balance.

“We have witnessed a rapid and increasing public acceptance of cohabitation without marriage and same-sex marriage. The corresponding media advocacy, education, and even occupational requirements pose difficult challenges for Latter-day Saints,” Oaks said. “We must try to balance the competing demands of following the gospel law in our personal lives and teachings even as we seek to show love for all.”

Oaks acknowledged that this belief can put Mormons at odds with family and friends and doesn’t match current laws, including the recent legalization of gay marriage in the United States.

But he told the nearly 16 million members watching around the world that the religion’s 1995 document detailing the doctrine — “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” — isn’t’ a policy statement that will be changed.

Church leaders use the conference to deliver spiritual guidance to members.

Airstrikes on ISIS-held areas in Syria kill and wound dozens

BEIRUT — Airstrikes on villages and towns held by the Islamic State group in eastern Syria killed and wounded dozens a day after an attack by the extremists killed more than 120 pro-government fighters and briefly cut off the highway linking the capital Damascus with eastern Syria, opposition activists said Saturday.

It was not immediately clear if the airstrikes were carried out by the Russians or the U.S.-led coalition. Syrian troops have been advancing in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour against the group also known as ISIS under cover of Russian airstrikes while the Kurdish-led forces are marching against the extremists under cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.

The airstrikes came after two days of clashes between Syrian government forces and their allies against IS fighters.

‘Burqa ban’ signals rightward political turn in Austria

VIENNA — A law prohibiting any kind of full-face covering, known popularly as the “Burqa Ban,” takes effect Sunday in Austria, where the strong support for it portends potential political upheaval in the upcoming national election.

Parties campaigning on an anti-migrant message are poised to win on Oct. 15 and to form a coalition government. Such a rightward swing in a country that’s had centrist governments almost consistently since World War II could have repercussions across Europe.

The Austrian law — called “Prohibition for the Covering of the Face” — also forbids off-slope ski masks, surgical masks outside hospitals and party masks in public.

Violations carry a possible fine of 150 euros (nearly $180).

Prison official: O.J. Simpson moving toward release

LAS VEGAS — O.J. Simpson was apparently in transit Saturday, ahead of his release on parole as early as Monday — possibly in Las Vegas, a Nevada prisons official said.

State Department of Corrections public inmate records provided no information about Simpson’s custody status or location, which prisons spokeswoman Brooke Keast said usually indicates that an inmate is being moved in custody.

“He is still in our custody, at least until (Sunday),” Keast said. “The department is progressing toward his release as soon as possible.”

Simpson’s attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, said he wouldn’t confirm his client’s location. He said that when he last spoke with Simpson, he was still at Lovelock Correctional Center in northern Nevada.

Germany to hold 1st same-sex marriage Sunday

BERLIN — Almost 40 years after their first kiss, Karl and Bodo are getting hitched.

The two civil servants from Berlin are expected to become the first gay couple to tie the knot in Germany when a law allowing same-sex marriages takes effect Sunday.

Until now, gay and lesbian couples in Germany were able only to enter into registered partnerships that gave them fewer legal rights than married heterosexual couples.

“This is an emotional moment with great symbolism,” Karl Kreile said as his wedding day approached. “The transition to the term ‘marriage’ shows that the German state recognizes us as real equals.”

Kriele, 59, and his partner, Bodo Mende, 60, have been at the forefront of campaigning for gay rights in Germany since meeting in 1979.

Report: Welsh man killed in Yosemite was shielding wife

LONDON — A British newspaper is reporting that the Welsh climber killed by falling rock in Yosemite National Park last week died while trying to shield his wife.

The Times says Andrew Foster’s wife, Lucy, told her husband’s aunt that he jumped to cover her as tons of rock came cascading Wednesday down the face of El Capitan, a 3,600-foot granite monolith that attracts climbers from around the world.

Gillian Stephens, in an interview with the Times published Saturday, says Lucy Foster told her: “Andrew saved my life. He dived on top of me as soon as he could see what was going to happen. He saved my life.”

Lucy Foster was seriously injured and remained hospitalized.

A second rock fall at the park Thursday injured a Florida man.

President Donald Trump on Saturday again stoked the controversy over players taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality, proclaiming on Twitter he wants them to stand. “Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem,” Trump said.

Authorities were trying to persuade more than half of the 144,000 people who fled a menacing volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali to return home Saturday, saying they left areas that are safe. The Mount Agung volcano on Bali, a tourist hotspot, has been at its highest alert level for more than a week.