Voters in Maine struck down a law that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry — and a group of BYU students are calling it a victory they helped achieve.

Nicole Kay, a BYU student who called voters in Maine to remind them to help repeal a state law allowing gay couples to wed, said she felt she was doing her duty as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“It’s one small victory in this large battle that’s being fought across the country,” she said. “I feel a direct charge from a prophetic call.”

The LDS church did not take a position on this specific vote, but Kay said she helped organize the efforts in response to the church-produced “Proclamation to the World,” a document that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Many gay marriage advocates were hoping the vote would result in an historic victory for their agenda. If the law had been approved, it would have been the first time gay marriage was ratified by an electorate.

Instead, opponents of gay marriage are celebrating a victory in one of the most liberal corners of the country, as they succeeded in repealing a law that had been created by the state legislature.  

Although Kay was excited by the results, she said the fight was far from over.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there came a day when same-sex marriage was legalized throughout the country,” Kay said. “But that doesn’t mean it’s right or that we shouldn’t keep fighting.”

Thomas Alvord, a BYU law student from Palmdale, Calif., who participated in the calls, said he would continue to campaign against gay marriage initiatives.

“We’re pleased with the results and we’re excited to move forward and continue to fight for marriage between a man and a woman,” Alvord said.

Shirene Urry said her participation in the campaign inspired her to get more involved in what many call “family value issues.”

“It made me want to do more things like it,” she said. “It gave me a more concrete outlet to help me express my love for the family.”

Urry also said she was moved by one particular phone call she made to a woman who firmly expressed her desire to protect traditional marriage.

“Her conviction was just something that was good to feel,” Urry said.