1998

A. PEACE, WAR, AND STRATEGIES OF VIOLENCE TO SETTLE DISPUTES [1258]

C. RACISM [1260]

D. SEXISM/WOMEN'S ISSUES [1259]

F. EXCLUSIVISM, INCLUSIVISM, SOCIAL/ETHICAL ISSUES [1257]

[1257] April 1, 1998 International Delegate and Participant Travel Funding

Whereas, The World Conference and other World Church events are greatly enhanced by the presence and participation of delegates from throughout the world; and

Whereas, Many delegates from outside the United States and Canada are unable to afford the travel costs associated with Conference and event attendance; and

Whereas, Past attempts to raise delegate travel funds through voluntary contributions (WCR 1202) have proved inadequate; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the World Conference instruct the World Church Finance Board to make provision for the funding of international participants to the World Conference and other World Church events; and be it further

Resolved, That the provision be available for implementation by the 2000 World Conference; and be it further

Resolved, That the amount of funds to be allocated for this purpose be determined by the World Church Finance Board after consultation with appropriate World Church officers and staff. 

[1258] April 1, 1998 International Ban on Land Mines

Whereas, It is estimated that more than 110 million anti-personnel land mines, left from wars and civil conflicts, are buried around the world today in 68 countries; and

Whereas, It is believed that more than 70 persons each day, 500 persons each week, and 26,000 persons each year are killed or maimed by such land mines; and

Whereas, The vast majority of land-mine victims are innocent children (30-40 percent), women, and men; and

Whereas, This horrific human suffering caused by land mines, inflicted primarily upon civilian noncombatants, cannot be justified morally and is abhorrent to the gospel of Jesus Christ; and

Whereas, In addition to indiscriminately killing and injuring persons, buried land mines keep needed farmland out of production, cause pathways, roads, and school yards to be potential death traps, impede social and economic development, and divert scarce medical resources, primarily in developing nations; and

Whereas, More than 120 nations in December 1997 became signatories to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (the "Land Mine Ban Convention") negotiated in Oslo, Norway, in September 1997; and

Whereas, The Land Mine Ban Convention, as well as stipulating a total ban on the development, production, transfer, and use of anti-personnel land mines, seeks assistance for mine victims, the fast removal of land mines currently in the ground, and the destruction of stockpiles; and

Whereas, The Nobel Peace Prize for 1997 was awarded jointly to the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines (a worldwide coalition of more than 1,000 non-governmental organizations in more than 60 countries) and its coordinator, Jody Williams, for their leadership related to the Land Mine Ban Convention and the clearing of land mines; and

Whereas, Some nations have declined to renounce the development, production, transfer, or use of anti-personnel land mines, and have declined to be a signatory to the Land Mine Ban Convention; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in World Conference assembled, congratulates and applauds each of the nations that are signatories to the Land Mine Ban Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That as a church we further commend all nations, organizations, and persons who have endeavored to halt the continued use of land mines, remove land mines, and alleviate the human suffering caused by land mines; and be it further

Resolved, That as a church we call upon all nations to renounce the development, production, transfer, and use of anti-personnel land mines, to provide assistance for mine victims, assist in the fast removal of such land mines currently in the ground, and to destroy stockpiles of such land mines in their possession.

[1259] April 3, 1998 Inclusive Language Study

Whereas, Language usage changes over time; and

Whereas, There is increased sensitivity on the part of the membership to the need for the use of gender-inclusive language in the life and ministry of the church; and

Whereas, The church has had an inclusive language policy for more than twenty (20) years which has promoted gender-inclusive language in church publications; and

Whereas, There is need to reexamine this policy with a view to making it more contemporary in form and example; and

Whereas, The worship life of the church would be enhanced by a careful examination of the church's worship practices including hymnody from the point of view of gender inclusiveness; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the First Presidency appoint a committee to review and update the church's inclusive language policy with particular emphasis on its application to church publications, resources, worship practices including hymnody, and the needs of the international church.

[1260] April 3, 1998 Ministry to Native American Nations

Whereas, The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has historically recognized the importance of Native American peoples within its own tradition and has periodically emphasized evangelistic relationships with Native Americans; and

Whereas, The Native American lands known as reservations are set apart by unique land bases, separate powers, and government-to-government relationship; and

Whereas, The president of the United States issued a presidential memorandum in the month of April 1994 to the heads of all federal agencies requiring them to conduct business with the tribes on a government-to-government basis; and

Whereas, "American Indians have a special legal relationship with the federal government by virtue of more than 400 treaties and agreements between the United States government and hundreds of Indian societies." Thus the struggle for equality and survival is ongoing as native people strengthen their own governments through the courts and arena of politics; and

Whereas, Expansion and outreach ministry among the indigenous people in the United States and Canada is even more difficult because of the separation by territorial boundaries, tribal government, and vast cultural difference; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the RLDS Church, through this 1998 World Conference, recognize the unique tribal status of Native Americans as sovereign nations and encourage the development of relational ministries with these nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the First Presidency appoint a special task force to work with the Council of Twelve in exploring ways in which the church can best focus its ministry efforts to each separate nation as an independent territory with its members both in and out of the territory.