1986

B. JUSTICE, EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS [1195]  [1197]

C. RACISM [1191] [1198]

D. SEXISM/WOMEN'S ISSUES [1189]

[1189] April 11, 1986 Women's Ministry

Whereas, The church continues to affirm its long history of belief and practice in the principles of equality applying to all persons (GCR 171, 963, WCR 1032, 1142), and

Whereas, The church is in a transition period where many arenas of leadership and service which traditionally have been the role of either women or men are increasingly becoming opportunities for both men and women, and

Whereas, The World Church program emphasizes inclusive ministries and a commission structure which increasingly involves more women in leadership positions, and

Whereas, It is especially important for World Church Headquarters to model inclusive ministry in all divisions, committees, and boards, and

Whereas, In times past, ministry for and by women has been specifically addressed in various ways including the General Council of Women and the Women's Ministries Commission, and

Whereas, There continues to be a need to provide direction for women's ministries, be it therefore

Resolved, That the First Presidency establish a Task Force on Women's Ministries which will serve for the next two Conference periods to

a. study women's ministries in the church,

b. recommend methods of integrating women's ministries into appropriate administrative structures of the church,

c. write articles and recommend resources which deal with women's ministries,

d. make interim reports to the First Presidency, and

e. report their recommendations to the First Presidency and the World Conference, and be it further

Resolved, That the Women's Ministries Commission have the responsibility for the completion of its current projects and assigned area of work until such time as the Task Force on Women's Ministries completes its study and reports its recommendations to the First Presidency and the World Conference, and be it further

Resolved, That the World Church continue to integrate the functions of program planning, resource production, and leadership training where specifically related to the needs of women, within appropriate divisions of the World Church Headquarters, and be it further

Resolved, That those in administrative positions continue to be encourage to appoint, hire, and nominate women, both ordained and unordained, for leadership positions so that women can continue to be more equally represented in the administrative decision-making arenas of the church, and be it further

Resolved, That the church reaffirm the value of women's ministries through traditional programs as well as through newly emerging areas of ministry, and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution rescinds WCRs 1116, 1118, 1141, and 1173.

[1191] April 11, 1986 Native American Support

Whereas, It has come to our attention through various reputable publications and supported by first-hand representations that certain companies and individuals have sought and obtained political and legal advantage over the Navajo and Hopi nations–on the reservation partition lands known as Big Mountain–through the astute exploitation of cultural dissimilarities, and

Whereas, Such legal and political advantage is being used to deprive the Navajo and Hopi of their right to self-determination and their removal from their sacred ancestral lands, and

Whereas, Such deprivation not only violates the substance of World Church Resolution 1161 and World Church Resolution 1184 of 1984, but significantly contributes to the cultural genocide of these indigenous peoples, and

Whereas, The actions pressed by certain interest groups within the United States follow very closely the historical patterns and methods of cultural exploitation of the native Americans, and

Whereas, Such actions either by individuals, companies or institutions are diametrically opposed to the teachings and precepts of Christ as taught by the church, be it therefore

Resolved, That the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints express its concerns that actions by governments, companies, and/or individuals that serve to deprive and separate native Americans from their lands and destroy their culture are in opposition to the humanitarian concerns expressed by the World Church, and be it further

Resolved, That the First Presidency be requested to convey the church's concern for and support of those people victimized by such actions in defense of their basic rights in a letter to the president of the United States and to members of the U.S. Senate Select Subcommittee on Indian Affairs and other appropriate governmental agencies, and, be it further,

Resolved, That members of the church who feel so inclined express their personal concerns to appropriate local and national representatives.

[1195] April 12, 1986 Domestic Violence

Whereas, The climate of family or domestic violence is intensifying rapidly in many nations of the world, producing a tragic loss of human dignity, health, and even life; and

Whereas, Violence against women by their male partners is a common practice in countries and cultures around the world; and

Whereas, children, the elderly, and sometimes adult males are also frequent victims of violence within the family; and

Whereas, Violence in families is often perpetuated by the most powerful family member on the least powerful members; and

Whereas, Research on violence in families has suggested that at least one battering incident may occur in as much as one in two spousal relationships; and

Whereas, Such violence is manifest in direct physical beatings, sexual assaults, verbal abuse, and other forms of psychological intimidation; and

Whereas, Such violence undermines and injures the very fabric and foundation of our human communities and our church—the family; and

Whereas, All persons are vulnerable to such violence: therefore, be it

Resolved, That the church condemns the use of violence in all of its various forms as a means to resolve conflict or to control another human being; and be it further

Resolved, That priesthood and other church leaders and all members should prepare themselves to be available for caring ministries to individuals and families who have experienced such abuse, and to refer victims and offenders to services in their communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the church in every land recognizes the physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual manifestations of domestic violence as negations of the gospel principle of the worth of persons; and be it further

Resolved, That in every jurisdiction of the church, members individually and collectively work cooperatively with others in their communities to encourage the development and support of shelters, and to provide physical, financial, and spiritual ministry to the victims of domestic violence; and be it further

Resolved, That the church encourage through its ministries, publications, and lifestyle, a greatly heightened mutuality in marriage and family life.

[1197] April 12, 1986 Human Rights Committee

Whereas, The report on human rights is an excellent summary of the complexity the church faces in regard to responding to this issue around the world; and

Whereas, there are many persons of the world who have suffered torture and other violations of basic human rights who need to know that the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not apathetic to these occurrences; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the First Presidency establish an ongoing committee to continue a careful but sustained exploration of how the church can respond to human rights issues around the world; and be it further

Resolved, That this committee report to the First Presidency, as directed, providing opportunity for the First Presidency to report to future World Conferences and to take such actions as will be in harmony with the ministries of the church.

[1198] April 12, 1986 Apartheid

Whereas, The Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims that God is no respecter of persons and that all persons are of equal worth in the sight of God; and

Whereas, The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is committed to the cause of peace; and

Whereas, WCR 1184 affirms the church's commitment to human rights; and

Whereas, WCR 1177 urges the church to speak out against human inequity whenever and wherever it is found, and

Whereas, WCR 1161 affirms the church's commitment to proclaim justice and work to eliminate all forms of discrimination; and

Whereas, Apartheid is a deplorable policy, incompatible with peace, human rights, and justice; and

Whereas, Apartheid in South Africa is a timely issue and a united voice of opposition by the Christian community is needed now; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints declare its opposition to the continuation of the policy of apartheid in South Africa.