Official Minutes of Business Session
Thursday, March 29, 2007

The 2007 World Conference convened in legislative session at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007, in the conference chamber of the Auditorium, Independence, Missouri. President Stephen M. Veazey was in the chair.

The assembly sang the hymn "Lord, Who Views All People Precious," accompanied by Junia Braby on the organ. Fernanda de Carvalho from Brazil offered an invocation. Rob Brooks rose to a question of privilege. President Veazey indicated that the statements of those named in the Letter of Counsel would be provided.

Approval of the Minutes
President Veazey called attention to the minutes of the business session of Wednesday, March 28, 2007, printed on pages 326-331. The Chair noted that on page 327, "The Chair briefly explained that the motion to refer came with the support of the Europe Mission Center and the First Presidency"; the minutes should read, "The Chair briefly explained that the motion to refer came from the Europe Mission Center Council after consultation with the First Presidency." The Chair also noted that on page 330 the minutes list "ordinand Robin Linkhart, whose call to seventy has recently been approved," should read, "Robin Linkhart, whose call to seventy is soon to be considered by the mission center conference." The minutes were approved as corrected.

President Veazey acknowledged the organists: Jeff King, Matt Naylor, Aaron Jaynes, Andy Shelton, Dale Rider, Evelyn Mesley, Jan Kraybill, Julie Conway, Junia Braby, Pam Robison, Ted Stewart, and Twila Rider. The Conference expressed its appreciation. President Veazey stated that G-3 provided for caucuses "authorized by the First Presidency for the purpose of fellowship,…, consideration of pre-submitted legislation," affirming that the Children's and Youth caucus would continue to meet.

President Veazey shared a statement on the Words of Counsel to the Church.

On Sunday evening, March 25, I shared "Words of Counsel" with the church and indicated that I did not have any particular determination in mind at that time regarding the ultimate status of the counsel.

Since that time, I have engaged in sustained prayer and reflection as I have received personal comments and testimonies, e-mails from various places throughout the church, and official communications from various caucuses, quorums, mass meetings, and councils.

After having a discussion with my counselors late yesterday afternoon, and specifically making this matter a focus of prayer last night and this morning, I have come to the awareness and testimony that I should introduce the Words of Counsel for consideration for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.

President Veazey announced adjustments to the Conference schedule allowing for the meeting of councils, quorums, orders, caucuses, and mass meetings prior to consideration of the Words of Counsel to the Church on Friday afternoon.

President Veazey then reminded the assembly that business continued through Saturday morning, and he encouraged them to continue to attend.

Order of Bishops World Church
Finance Board Elections
President Veazey shared the results of the Order of Bishops election, selecting three individuals to serve on the World Church Finance Board: Barbara Borkowski, Steve Graffeo, and Malcolm Stephenson.

World Church Finance Board Nominations
The Chair then referred to item B-2, "World Church Finance Board Nominations," on page 333. The item placed the following names into nomination for six-year terms expiring June 30, 2013: Gilbert B. Alberti, George E. Barber, Durkje (Ditty) M. Bokma, Andrew M. Fox, Cynthia C. Hatch, Bradley G. Johnson, Marjorie G. Martens, Lucia M. Piehi, Helen M. Taylor, and K. Michael Zabel. President Veazey noted that Cynthia Hatch was an elder.

The following were nominated from the floor for six-year terms: Richard Gillard, Catherine Mambwe, L. Don Sutton, David E. Mitchell, and Darwyn Copa Caservas.

The Chair noted that it would be assumed that the consent of the nominee had been obtained and that brief biographies would be provided to the World Church secretary by the end of the day.

Extension of the Seminary into Non-USA/Canada Fields
President Veazey called attention to Item G-8, "Extension of the Seminary into Non-USA/Canada Fields," on page 98. Steve Bootman moved to approve the item, and a second was received. There was brief discussion. Bonnie Andrusick proposed an amendment, to strike "into non-USA/Canada Fields" from the title, and "outside the USA/Canada fields" from the last resolving paragraph. A second was received. President Veazey pointed out to the body that the World Conference cannot legislate for the seminary but that the report called for in the proposal would not bind the seminary. A vote was taken on the amendment, and it carried. Discussion continued.

Bob Dobkins moved to refer to the First Presidency, with instruction to report back to the Conference. David Premoe was recognized for a point of order, that if the First Presidency and World Church do not have authority to place obligations on the seminary. The Chair ruled that the point was not well taken, that there was such a spirit of cooperation between the church and the seminary that the intent of the resolution could be honored, and if implementation was not possible the First Presidency would report back to the Conference.

Glenn Barlow moved the previous question, and there was a second. A vote was taken, and the motion passed by the required two-thirds vote. A vote was taken on referral of the item to the First Presidency. The motion of referral was lost. A vote was taken on Item G-8, and the vote was sufficiently close to require a count. The Chair recognized Joan Pratt for a point of order, and she asked for clarification about whether the amendment to the resolution had passed. President Veazey clarified that the amendment had passed. The Chair recognized Carman Thompson for a question of privilege regarding tellers. During the tallying of the vote, President Veazey called on Apostle Chibwe for information on flooding in Haiti. The Chair then recognized Senior President of Seventy Robert Kyser for a prayer. The Chair announced that there were 1,114 votes in favor and 1,451 votes against. The motion was lost.

The assembly recessed for lunch at noon and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. with President Veazey in the Chair. The assembly sang the hymn "Earth and All Stars," accompanied by Junia Braby on the organ. President Veazey announced that US$10,000 had been sent to Haiti from the disaster relief fund. The Chair recognized Alan Odom for a request for information. The Chair then recognized Joseph Charbonneau for a question of privilege. President Veazey indicated that a letter would be sent to Haiti from the World Conference.

Conference manager Sue Sloan was recognized to make announcements.

Graceland University Presentation
President Veazey recognized Graceland University Acting President Steve Anders to make a presentation on Graceland University. The Chair recognized Terry Shelton for a question of privilege.

Sub-Mission Center Aggregations
President Veazey called attention to Item G-4, "Sub-Mission Center Aggregations," on page 96. Steve Bootman moved to approve the item, and a second was received. There was brief discussion. The Chair recognized Apostle Leonard Young, who moved to refer the resolution to the Council of Twelve. During discussion, Jim Danielson rose to a point of order that there was no instruction to the Council of Twelve in the motion to refer. The Chair ruled that the point was not well taken. The Chair recognized Eula Roth, who moved the previous question on all matters before the body, and after a second, the vote was taken. The motion carried by the required two-thirds. A vote was then taken on the referral of Item G-4 to the Council of Twelve. The motion carried.

Participation in Conferences within Geographically Large Mission Centers
President Veazey called attention to Item G-5, "Participation in Conferences within Geographically Large Mission Centers," on page 97. Ignes Frohmut moved to approve the item, and a second was received. There was discussion. Apostle Young moved referral to the Council of Twelve Apostles. President Veazey recognized Dick Young, who moved to amend the body of referral to the World Church Leadership Council, including a representative offering the resolution. The Chair ruled a referral to that body out of order, and with Dick Young's permission, the amendment was to refer to the First Presidency. Lydia Douglass moved the previous question on all matters before the assembly. There was a second, followed by a vote. The vote was taken, and the motion carried by the required two-thirds. A vote was then taken on the amendment to the motion to refer. The amendment passed, and the vote was taken on the motion to refer the item to the First Presidency. The motion was approved as amended.

Assistance in Obtaining Visas
President Veazey called attention to the Substitute for Item G-6, "Assistance in Obtaining Visas," on page 334. The substitute was for the original item, on page 97. The Chair noted that the assembly's disposition of the substitute would determine whether the original would be called up. David Anderson moved the item, and a second was received. There was discussion. Craig Sharp moved to amend by inserting "and mission center" between "World Church" and "activities" in the last line of the resolving paragraph. The Chair ruled that, without objection, the amendment would be added to the motion. There was objection, and the Chair opened the floor for discussion on the amendment. Dave Harder moved the previous question on all matters before the assembly. There was a second, and a vote was taken. The motion passed with the required two-thirds vote. The assembly voted on the amendment, which carried. Following was a vote on the main motion as amended. The motion carried. Wim van Klinken rose to a point of order. He made a statement to the Chair expressing frustration at not getting the floor. The Chair offered a brief explanation of the legislative system.

Extension of Native American (First Peoples) Ministry
President Veazey called attention to Item G-10, "Extension of Native American (First Peoples) Ministry," printed on pages 98-99. Steve Bootman moved the item. A second was received. There was brief discussion. Skip Twitchell moved to amend the final Whereas to read as follows: "Whereas, In parts of the world, certain ethnic terms are used in a very negative way and are considered to be an insult, therefore, be it" and the final resolved to read as follows:

 "Resolved, That members of the Community of Christ be counseled to use care in their use of specific ethnic terms when referring, either formally or informally, to people of various cultural, national, or racial backgrounds." There was brief discussion. The Chair recognized Ron Wood for a point of order, that the last Resolved required the Conference to counsel the wider church on something they should or should not do. The Chair ruled that to mean that the church is encouraged, but "counsel" was not interpreted to be dogmatic or in the nature of revelation.

The Chair recognized Barbara Hawksford for a point of order, that the amendment was out of the scope of the original motion. The Chair ruled that the point was not well taken, and the amendment was within the scope of the main motion. Without objection, President Veazey put the previous question. A vote was taken, and the motion passed by the required two-thirds vote. A vote was taken on the amendment. The amendment carried. The Chair then called for a vote on the motion as amended, and it was approved.

President Veazey expressed the appreciation of the Conference to the South America delegation, and the assembly expressed its support. The assembly sang "Lord I Want to Be a Christian," then Kailee Porter-Hirsche, from Canada, offered a prayer of benediction. The World Conference adjourned at 4:00 p.m. to meet again at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007.

Andrew M. Shields
Secretary