1978

B. JUSTICE, EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS [1148] [1151]

[1148] April 7, 1978 World Hunger

Whereas, The covenant members of the body of Christ are commissioned by their Lord to be concerned for the well-being of all persons in the world (Luke 4:18, Matthew 25:36, John 6:35, Mosiah 2:43, Jacob 2:24, and Doctrine and Covenants 151:9: "You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their lives"); and

Whereas, The majority of the world's people are poor and there is mounting evidence of global starvation-level hunger involving more than one billion persons (40 percent of whom are estimated to be children); and

Whereas, There has always been an empathetic concern expressed as a dimension of stewardship shared by the Saints; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in World Conference action express its concern about this critical human need by developing a specific emphasis within our celebration of worship; and be it further

Resolved, That the First Presidency, in consultation with other World Church officers, be encouraged to develop ministries based on the "repression of unnecessary wants" in the spirit of fasting; and be it further

Resolved, That the World Church be requested to facilitate the accumulation of funds resulting from the discipline of fasting and provide for the distribution of such accumulated funds through the selection of church-related and/or other agencies to best accomplish a saintly response to the concern for world hunger, giving consideration, where appropriate, to our brothers and sisters; and be it further

Resolved, That the First Presidency develop by January 1, 1979, in consultation with other World Church officers and advisers of their choosing, a program which will facilitate opportunities for those interested and motivated to participate in additional ways beyond the fasting discipline and to add these moneys to the support of ministries directed toward the problems of world hunger and excessive population.

[1151] April 8, 1978 Redemptive Ministry

Whereas, The ministry of the church is both a redeeming and a nurturing ministry—nurturing in that it teaches principles, doctrines and the kingdom way of life; redemptive in that the church is called to "heal the brokenhearted … preach deliverance to the captives … to set at liberty them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18 and D. and C. 151:9); and

Whereas, The brokenness occurring in the lives of people continues to increase in the midst of society, bringing with it increased alienation, i.e., alcoholics, offenders and their families, drug abusers, persons hurt by marital conflict or divorce, children in distress, emotionally troubled and mentally ill people, unwed mothers, chronically financially distressed people, homosexuals, youthful dropouts, and other social outcasts and their families; and

Whereas, The people of God are increasingly concerned that the Restoration speak to these needs without delay; therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Conference affirm its concern for those evangelistic and redemptive ministries which would nurture the wholeness of all persons in a manner designed by God; and be it further

Resolved, That the First Presidency prepare a report to the Conference of 1980, which would include the following:

1. An inventory and description of existing redemptive ministries now occurring
1. within the church with particular emphasis on ministry to the broken and bruised; and
2. with an evaluation of what is occurring outside the church. 
2. An evaluation of the successes and failures of existing ministries identifying the key ingredients of the successful.
3. 3. An assessment of the Restoration's mission in the 1980s in this urgent area of outreach.