Mormon church tells women's group it won't be allowed to protest in Temple Square

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mormon church is warning a group of women pushing for gender equality that it will not be allowed to protest in Temple Square next month during a biannual conference.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told the members of Ordain Women in a letter sent Monday that if they insist on going forward with their plans, they'll need to protest in a zone set aside for protesters on the street.

The church says activist events detract from the sacred environment of the weekend conference in Salt Lake City.

The group's founder Kate Kelly says members will go forward with lining up outside the meeting of male priests and ask to be let in. She says they are discouraged by church leaders comparing them with outside protest groups.