1992

A. PEACE, WAR, & STRATEGIES OF VIOLENCE TO SETTLE DISPUTES [1227] [1234]

B. JUSTICE, EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS [1228] [1235]

C. RACISM [1233]

E. CONFLICT, DOCTRINAL/THEOLOGICAL DISPUTES, PLURALISM/DIVERSITY, RECONCILIATION [1221] [1222] [1226]

F. EXCLUSIVISM, INCLUSIVISM, SOCIAL/ETHICAL ISSUES [1220] [1224] [1231] [1232]

[1220] April 7, 1992
Committee for Outreach to the Developmentally Disabled

Whereas, All developmentally disabled persons everywhere are entitled to religious training and experience belonging, love, and self-esteem; and

Whereas, The church has a responsibility to bring ministry to each and every person possible; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the World Church establish a committee for outreach to developmentally disabled persons; and be it further

Resolved, That this committee study ways of bringing ministry to the developmentally disabled and report recommendations and financial implications to the next World Conference.

[1221]
April 7, 1992 Issues Regarding Conditions for Membership

Whereas, The entire church would profit from a prayerful, authoritative clarification of issues surrounding re-baptism, as well as the larger, attendant theological issues underpinning baptism and church membership; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the First Presidency appoint a World Church task force to make a comprehensive study of the conditions for membership in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, particularly the theological questions regarding the status of those previously baptized in other Christian churches; and be it further

Resolved, That this task force have adequate representation of people to ensure a broad perspective from a World Church point of view; and be it further

Resolved, That a detailed report with recommendations be brought back for consideration to the 1994 World Conference.

[1222] April 9, 1992 Interfaith Organizations 

Whereas, We recognize that other Christian denominations are making valid contributions in promoting the ministry of Christ; and

Whereas, Working together with other Christian denominations will provide us with opportunities for ministry which would otherwise not be available; and

Whereas, Ecumenical organizations offer a mechanism for promoting cooperation between Christian denominations; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the First Presidency be requested to investigate the benefits, costs, and advisability of membership in interfaith organizations, and either take action as they see fit or make a specific proposal on this membership to the 1994 World Conference; and be it further

Resolved, That our national churches be encouraged to investigate membership in their respective national interdenominational organizations and respond appropriately; and be it further

Resolved, That our branches and congregations be encouraged to participate in local ministerial associations as appropriate.

[1224] April 9, 1992 Earth Stewardship Committee 

Whereas, The protection of the environment is a concern of critical importance for which the church should give significant attention; and

Whereas, The 1990 World Conference in response to this concern adopted WCR 1211 (Stewardship of Ecology) which assigned "the study and development of recommendations related to the stewardship of preserving and enhancing the ecology of the planet" to the World Peace Committee, WCR 1212 (Towards More Environmentally Sound Practices) for the implementation of which the First Presidency created the Environmentally Sound Practices Committee to monitor the operations of the World Church Headquarters and to "develop more holistic approaches to our support of life on this planet, specifically by providing resources to help increase our advocacy for and commitment to Third World poverty and justice issues as well as life-promoting actions locally," and WCR 1213 (Our Common Future—A Sustainable Global Perspective) which mandated that the World Peace Committee prepare "a major statement to the 1992 World Conference concerning the role of the church including Temple ministries in response to the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report," but which provided for no continuing study beyond such report; and

Whereas, An Earth Stewardship Committee should be created to avoid duplication of effort and to further the work of the church towards the protection of the environment; and

Whereas, The church should continue to be in the forefront of those who would mediate the needless destruction of the environment (Doctrine and Covenants 150:7); therefore, be it

Resolved, That an Earth Stewardship Committee be established as a standing committee to consider issues of environment and development and to give guidance to the church; and be it further

Resolved, That WCR 1211 be rescinded; and be it further

Resolved, That the responsibilities delegated to committees pursuant to WCR 1212 be delegated to the Earth Stewardship Committee, and that the Environmentally Sound Practices Committee be dissolved.

[1226] April 10, 1992 Human Diversity

Whereas, The 1988 World Conference requested that the issues of prejudice and racism be studied and recommendations developed as guidance for church members and jurisdictions; and

Whereas, The Human Diversity Committee was asked by the First Presidency to continue this study and to develop a policy statement for use by the church in dealing with issues of prejudice and racism; and

Whereas, The Human Diversity Committee has developed an "Affirmation of Human Diversity" which is included in its report to the 1992 World Conference; and

Whereas, This statement expresses valued principles of the RLDS faith and provides positive guidance to church members throughout the world in understanding and combating prejudice and racism; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the 1992 World Conference endorse the following "Affirmation of Human Diversity" and encourage its use in educational materials, worship resources, and leadership training:

The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals the unqualified love of God and the inestimable worth of all persons. An awareness of God's love and of the love of others is essential to human fulfillment. For these reasons, we celebrate the rich diversity of human life.

However, human beings often fear, hate, and abuse each other because of ignorance about such factors as socioeconomic status, culture, race, gender, age, size, sexual orientation, and mental or physical disability. Such prejudicial behavior undermines the personal and spiritual development of both abuser and abused, and denies the mutual benefits of shared giftedness.

As persons of faith, we confess our own imperfections in attitude and action. Nevertheless, we accept the responsibility to resist fear and hate in all forms and to strive continuously to eliminate expressions of prejudice and discrimination.

We declare our belief that "all are called according to the gifts of God to them." We therefore acknowledge and affirm human diversity by creating a spirit of openness and peace within our congregations where all persons may find acceptance and the opportunity to share their giftedness.

We commit ourselves to work with all persons of goodwill to promote mutual respect, appreciation, and peace in all relationships.

[1227] April 10, 1992 Our Pursuit of Peace

Whereas, Our planet, the places where we live, and our lives suffer from violence and needless destruction; and

Whereas, Military force, economic power, and security systems have too often been used for immoral and unjustifiable purposes; and

Whereas, In the ten years since the church has adopted WCR 1177, the world has suffered from numerous wars, destructive conflict, local community and personal violence, and ecological degradation; and

Whereas, As a church we have been called to pursue peace (Doctrine and Covenants 102:11, 150:7, 151:9-10, and 156:5, Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:11 [IV]; Luke 6:27-28; I Nephi 3:189; Mosiah 8:49-50; Alma 14:27-28; therefore, be it

Resolved, That we intensify our efforts to heal the causes of violence, war, prejudice, discrimination, greed, hunger, and oppression; and be it further

Resolved, That the church encourage all persons and jurisdictions to work with others in waging peace and in developing processes that are alternatives to violence and needless destruction; and be it further

Resolved, That we pledge anew to forgive, be patient, bring reconciliation, sacrifice for others, suffer with the pain of compassion, and be actively engaged in the pursuit of peace, all as taught to us by Jesus Christ.

[1228] 
April 10, 1992 International Human Rights Award for Service to Humanity

Whereas, Many members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and others, both men and women, are in the forefront of various organizations and causes working to alleviate human suffering and the violation of basic human rights; and

Whereas, Recognition of such individuals would serve to strengthen the awareness of the contributions that individuals can make in the world; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the International Human Rights Award for Service to Humanity be established; and be it further

Resolved, That nominations for said award be submitted by the Human Rights Committee for approval by the First Presidency; and be it further

Resolved, That this award be presented to at least two worthy individuals at each World Conference.

[1231] April 10, 1992 Church Name

Whereas, The church is identified by several names throughout the world; and

Whereas, The church continues to expand into many new countries and cultures; and

Whereas, The need exists for a church name which effectively transmits and reflects our theology to all countries and cultures; and

Whereas, The dedication of the Temple and the advent of the twenty-first century provide an opportune time to thoughtfully review our symbols and identity; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the First Presidency be authorized to select a name for the church which reflects our mission in all cultures; and be it further

Resolved, That the First Presidency have freedom to make such recommendations as are pertinent thereto; and be it further

Resolved, That the recommendations of the First Presidency be disseminated to all church jurisdictions in order that informed action thereon may be taken by the 1994 World Conference.

[1232]
April 11, 1992 Language Education, Training, and Usage

Whereas, We are called to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world; and

Whereas, There are over 5.3 billion people on the earth; and

Whereas, The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has members in over forty countries and they speak over twenty-two major languages; and

Whereas, There are currently tremendous opportunities to share the gospel in countries that were previously closed to active missionary efforts; and

Whereas, The Temple will draw thousands of visitors, who speak various languages, to Independence and the Center Place; and

Whereas, Wise use of limited financial resources, people, and materials is essential; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the World Conference of 1992 request the First Presidency to appoint a committee to research and evaluate at least the following, but not limited to the following:

1. Study the current and future language needs of the church.

2. Compile a list of quality resources, services, and methods currently available for language education and training.

3. Encourage members of all ages to learn other languages, especially in school and all institutions of higher education.

4. Temple School offering classes for learning a language or languages.

5. Prepare for ministry to the visitors to the Temple by enabling volunteer language translators to bear their testimony of Jesus Christ in the visitors' language.

6. Organize a Language Skills Office or database of volunteers with language skills who would be available for ministry in the Temple, and to the church for ministry in other settings; and be it further

Resolved, That the committee report to the First Presidency and the World Conference in 1994 with their recommendations.

[1233] April 11, 1992 Apartheid in South Africa

Whereas, Our World Conference of 1986 adopted WCR 1198 condemning apartheid in South Africa; and

Whereas, The voters of South Africa, on March 17, 1992, voted overwhelmingly to discontinue apartheid; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in World Conference assembled in Independence, Missouri, extend our congratulations to the peoples of South Africa in this peaceful resolution of a potentially explosive social issue. We deplore the bloodshed and ill will of the days past, and trust and pray that good will prevail in the days to come; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be officially transmitted to the Embassy of South Africa, Washington, D.C.; the Secretariat of the United Nations–New York City; and the President of the United States.

[1234] April 11, 1992 Peace in El Salvador

Whereas, On January 15, 1992, in Chapultepec, Mexico, a peace treaty was signed between the Supreme Government of El Salvador and the Farabundo Marti Front (F.M.L.N.) of El Salvador, putting an end to eleven years of war that caused great suffering to the people of that nation; and

Whereas, The World Conference of 1992 of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is gathered in the City of Independence, Missouri, U.S.A.; therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Conference express to the people of El Salvador by means of the Constitutional Government of El Salvador in the person of its president, Alfredo Cristiani, the Armed Forces of El Salvador, the Minister of Defense, and the Council of the Farabundo Marti Front (F.M.L.N.) of El Salvador, the pleasure which we have in the fact that all parties and the people of El Salvador have obtained the long-awaited peace within their country; and encourage all parties to consolidate the peace that the El Salvadoran people may know happiness; and we seek for this purpose the blessing of our God and Creator Jesus Christ.

[1235] April 11, 1992 Children's Advocacy

Whereas, Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:12); and

Whereas, Restoration scripture affirms that "little children are holy . . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 74:3d); and

Whereas, Among the rights of every child—regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national or social origin—is the right to affection, love, understanding, adequate nutrition and medical care, special care if handicapped, and to be among the first to receive relief in time of disaster (excerpted from United Nations' "Declaration of the Rights of the Child"); and

Whereas, The National Council of Family Relations reported at the beginning of the 1990s, in the United States alone, more than 6 million children suffer abuse each year and three children are killed every day by family members; and

Whereas, Mounting evidence reveals that some children in RLDS families suffer from abuse, neglect, and family violence; therefore, be it

Resolved, That each jurisdiction of the church be encouraged to select an individual who will serve as a children's advocate to provide a safe person for children who cannot find safety in their homes or communities; and be it further

Resolved, That a children's advocate will raise issues regarding the rights and welfare of children and keep those issues in the forefront of the jurisdiction, will be a liaison with other organizations working on behalf of children, and will be the voice for children who are voiceless in such arenas as building committees, budget committees, and program planning committees of jurisdictions and in other settings.