Mitt Romney was warmly welcomed in Lynchburg, Virginia, this morning for an important address for him and for religious liberty in America -- at Liberty University's commencement. Here's the audio of the address (follows 32 second ad):

Kathryn Jean Lopez has the text of the speech.

The Washington Times reports:

[...] Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney assured the thousands of conservative Christians gathered for the graduation ceremony at Liberty University, the school founded by evangelical icon Jerry Falwell, that he stands with them on traditional marriage.

lationship between one man and one woman," Mr. Romney said, sparking applause from the more than 30,000 people in attendance.

The former Massachusetts governor was the second Mormon to deliver the commencement address at Liberty University, the largest evangelical university in the country.

His appearance came days after President Obama sparked an uproar by announcing his support for same-sex marriage -- opening the door for Mr. Romney to reach out to a key slice of the Republican electorate that has been slow to warm to him.

Mr. Romney used the nearly 19-minute address to focus on the vital role that faith plays in his life, while taking a a few thinly veiled swipes at what he sees as President Obama's failures and attacks on religious freedoms.

"It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with. Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government. But from the beginning, this nation trusted in God, not man," he said, in an apparent allusion to the recent dust-up over the Obama administration's decision to require institutions with a religious affiliation to provide insurance that covers contraceptives.

"There is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action," he said.

[...] "The American culture promotes personal responsibility, the dignity of work, the value of education, the merit of service, devotion to a purpose greater than self, and, at the foundation, the pre-eminence of the family," he said.More here.