1968

A.: PEACE, WAR, & STRATEGIES OF VIOLENCE TO SETTLE DISPUTES [1061]

C. RACISM [1075]

F. EXCLUSIVISM, INCLUSIVISM, SOCIAL/ETHICAL ISSUES [1059] [1060] [1072]

[1059]
April 1, 1968 Ministry to Unmarried Adults

Whereas, Assistance in the establishment of well-adjusted Christian families is among the great objectives of the church, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the 1968 World Conference recognize that both in the church and in society there are many unmarried adults who would benefit from a ministry designed to assist them in establishing Christian, Zionic homes. To develop and implement specific and practical programs in this ministerial endeavor will require the efforts of skilled professionals and the use of modern technology. The Conference, therefore, refers this matter to the First Presidency with the suggestion that either the Committee on Ministry to Unmarried Adults continue to function and make further recommendations, or that this specialized ministry be included in the responsibility of the Family Ministry Coordinator.

[1060]
April 1, 1968 Missions Abroad Education Fund

Whereas, The expansion of the church into missions abroad, the consequent need for developing nationals as leaders in the church, and the ever increasing need for persons from missions abroad to receive education at institutions other than those sponsored by the church make it urgent that we broaden the base of assistance to students in missions abroad; therefore, be it

Resolved, That this World Conference authorize the establishment of a Missions Abroad Education Fund for assisting persons in missions abroad to receive education beyond the secondary level ( and beyond the primary level in those missions where it is found to be appropriate), and that provisions be made for persons to contribute to this fund through General Church offerings. Be it further,

Resolved, That the First Presidency, president of the Council of Twelve, and the Presiding Bishopric appoint a Missions Abroad Education Fund Committee which shall receive applications from persons living in missions abroad who desire assistance to further their education, it being understood that such education should be pursued in the country of the student's residence except as specifically approved otherwise. The committee shall select those who should receive assistance on the basis of their need, ability to profit from the education which they propose, and the increased value which the education of these persons may bring to the church. Be it further

Resolved, That the committee may also recommend the terms of repayment of money borrowed from the Missions Abroad Education Fund, and in cases where the committee feels that the nature of the need and the benefit to the church make it advisable to give assistance in the form of a grant, it shall, with the concurrence of the minister in charge of the field in which the student lives, so recommend to the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric. Be it further,

Resolved, That assistance from the Missions Abroad Education Fund shall be available for students who attend Graceland College and those who attend other institutions of education.

Substituted by WCR 1102 in 1972; replaced by WCR 1153 in 1980

[1061]
April 1, 1968 Peace, War, and the Use of Force

I. We oppose war. The church is opposed to war as an instrument for the settlement of international and internal differences. War, like assault and murder, has its roots in the fears and frustrated lusts of humanity. War has always been characterized by unregulated violence and immoral behavior. It appears that as long as selfish interests, materialistic desires, or any forms of special privilege are valued above basic human needs, rights, and dignity, there will be conflict among men.

II. We share responsibility for world conditions.

A. While Christian ideals require of us a higher morality than is usually accepted, practiced, or appreciated, Christian love obligates us "to be in the world but not of it." It calls us to establish sufficient interrelationships with society at all levels that we may truly be "in the world," so that our witness may be effective toward bettering that society.

B. We recognize that human ills and the evils in the social order produce the social criminal, the moral criminal, the political criminal, the criminally insane, etc. These call for Christian action with an extraordinary measure of love and responsibility.

C. The Christian should accept his obligation to help protect society from these criminals, regardless of the causes which have produced them. The Christian responsibility is twofold: to restrain in Christian love and to heal through active Christian faith. To neglect this stewardship would be to abdicate the Christian's God-given responsibility to love his neighbor as himself.

D. Modern society generally attempts to bring a healing ministry to the mentally ill and to the criminally insane, while restraining them from hurting other members of society. It further attempts to reform and rehabilitate the criminal who may not be mentally ill, but who is nonetheless in part a result of a sinful environment. The political criminal is often disciplined in recognition of the potential threat which he represents to law and order or to the well-being of individuals and of the community.

E. Any one or all of these ills, by extension, could be the cause of international or civil conflict. The Christian should not ignore his responsibility at this level any more than he should ignore his responsibility toward the individual offender.

III. We promote peace. Christian love promotes peace. The cause of peace is positively though not exclusively furthered in the following ways:

A. By the propagation of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who has the power to regenerate men's souls, making them true brothers in a common love.

B. By providing equal opportunity for self-expression and recognition of equality of personal worth of the individual before God and man, regardless of material, social, emotional, spiritual, or educational qualifications. This may be accomplished by cultivating a concern for those in need and encouraging Saints to qualify for and engage in those constructive professions and vocations (1) which contribute to meeting human needs and appreciating human dignity. These skills may be applied in both civilian and military efforts throughout the world. (2)

C. By upholding constitutional law in support of freedom, opposing oppression and tyranny when necessary. It is a Christian duty to participate in the voice of government, even when that participation is suppressed, and to support good and wise men in positions of leadership. (3)

D. By proclaiming loyalty to governments which protect the inherent and inalienable human rights of all men. (4) Members may do so through military service at the call of government or by voluntary enlistment. (5)

IV. Respect for individual conscience. The Church of Jesus Christ believes in the exercise of individual conscience and the preservation of agency. When members claiming conscientious objection to the taking of life are (a) motivated by sincere religious conviction, and (b) supported by mature consideration and consistency of life, (6) the church supports such individuals in seeking to be allowed to serve, if possible, in noncombatant but not less dangerous military or civilian roles. The church also recognizes the conscientious objector who chooses punishment under those governments which provide no alternatives to bearing arms.

V. Control of mass destruction. We deplore conditions in world affairs which have resulted in and from the intensified development and stockpiling of nuclear and other instruments of mass destruction. These stand as a constant threat to the physical existence of men and nations everywhere. While we recognize that the development and use of such weapons is of necessity the responsibility of heads of state and their advisers, yet it is the urgent and sobering obligation of the church and men of all faiths to influence the leadership of all governments to labor for peace.

Communication between the people and their representatives in government is made difficult by disinterest and apathy on the part of the citizenry and by seeming need for discreet control of information in the interests of national security on the part of government. Both of these are potential threats to the preservation of an enlightened and self-determining electorate. Christian ideals will continue to make heavy demands upon both citizen and government to remain alert to assure that the citizen's voice is heard in government and that his choices are based on adequate information. In those ways which are assured by constitutional law, the Christian citizen should labor to persuade all men to share in a responsible attitude toward the use of force, one which finds its motivations rooted in love.

VI. Conclusion. It must be emphasized that peace of conscience cannot be satisfied by mere non-participation in war. To some extent all of us are responsible for social conditions. The best form of pacifism is that which removes the causes of war. These causes are removed from society by the application of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the life of the individual and of the community. To support our beliefs of the evil of war we proclaim again that we shall do all within our power to make the gospel of peace an incarnate reality. We resolve that we over give ourselves wholeheartedly to the establishment of God's kingdom here on earth which, in the final analysis, is the only answer to the problem of war.

__________________________

(1) Such skills may include political science, medicine, nursing, engineering, religion, economics, agriculture, recreation, education, construction, sanitation, research, law, social work, among others. They will also have value in such special endeavors as the Peace Corps, VISTA, Young Canadians, Older Youth Service Corps, and similar programs throughout the world.

(2) The better the qualifications prior to entering military service, the better the opportunity for a constructive contribution.

(3) Doctrine and Covenants 95:2

(4) Doctrine and Covenants 112:1-3,5

(5) Experience indicates that enlistment may provide greater opportunity to serve in constructive capacities than is usually afforded under conscription.

(6) In combat there are those who find themselves emotionally incapable of taking life. They should understand that they may not be permitted to claim conscientious objection at that time, and they may be subject to court-martial, especially if conscientious objection is claimed. They should be encouraged to seek professional counsel through their chaplain.

Expanded and refined by WCR 1087 in 1970

[1072]
April 6, 1968 Service to Local Community

Whereas, Zionic principles should be applied in the corporate life of faithful members and the communities where they live, and

Whereas, The local church and its members must therefore become more involved in meeting and participating in the needs of society, and

Whereas, Further information is needed concerning specific techniques and programs of community participation, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the World Conference request the First Presidency to provide for the dissemination of information concerning specific techniques and programs by which the local church and its members may more effectively give service and meet the needs of the community.

1075
April 6, 1968 Gospel to Racial and Ethnic Groups

Whereas, The scriptures are clear that the gospel is to be preached to all men and nations and "the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days" (D. and C. 1:1d), and

Whereas, General Conference Resolutions 171 and 995, adopted in 1875 and 1956 respectively, encourage our carrying the gospel to all racial and ethnic groups today, and

Whereas, This church is called forth to be the light of the world, offering a divine plan for the salvation of all men everywhere, that unity might prevail, and

Whereas, Recent changes in racial and ethnic group relations have brought many worthwhile improvements, but also have uncovered extreme militant feelings, created tension, unrest, violence, death, and destruction which even now threaten the internal peace of several nations, and

Whereas, We believe and profess that the restored gospel is called, by its very nature, to offer the necessary ministry in times like these to replace frustration and despair with faith and hope, and to offer guidance to all races and peoples caught up in the tensions of our times, and

Whereas, Frederick M. Smith defined evangelism as "the process of getting the love of God into the hearts of men, and the lives of men into the kingdom of God," therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Conference go on record as commending those who have moved out with specific programs of compassionate witness of the gospel to all racial and ethnic groups and to the Negro in particular, and be it further

Resolved, That the church at large be urged now to more adequately implement the policies and resolutions previously adopted by the World Conference, and that stakes, districts, branches, and members be called upon to reach out with a greater expression of Christian love to share this message of faith, hope, and brotherhood with all racial and ethnic groups around and among us, with emphasis upon the Negro race and the troubled areas, that this restored gospel might truly provide a pattern of Zionic brotherhood to the world.