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(NECN/NBC News: Brian Moore) – Mitt Romney sounded off on gay marriage today on one of the nation's biggest conservative stages.

In his commencement speech at the world's largest Christian evangelical university, Romney underscored his stand against gay marriage.

"Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman," said Romney, receiving thundering applause.

The line was a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at Liberty University, which was founded by the late Reverend Jerry Falwell and located in the battleground state of Virginia.

The presumptive Republican nominee's appearance is an important step toward winning over the ultra-conservatives who shunned him during the primaries.

"We're electing a president, a not pastor, I think that if you compare him to Obama, yes, by all means, we'll side with him," said LU graduate Stephen Jones.

President Obama, who made history this past week by publicly supporting gay marriage, honored the nation's top cops on Saturday.

"There are people alive today only because of their courage," said Obama.

First Lady Michelle Obama was at North Carolina A&T State University talking about civil rights, inviting comparisons to current fights such as same-sex marriage.

"But, we all know that there are still plenty of serious injustices crying out for our attention," said the First Lady.

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