Note: The following resolution was passed at the Sierra Pacific Mission Center Conference on November 14, 2009. The resolution was passed through the appropriate process. Due to an error in our procedures, it was not included in previous publication of legislation.

Whereas, Community of Christ is an international denomination providing ministry in diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds in many nations of the world; and

Whereas, Doctrine and Covenants 119:8b states that “All are called according to the gifts of God unto them;” and Section 156:8a states that “It is my will that my priesthood be made up of those who have an abiding faith and desire to serve me with all their hearts, in humility and with great devotion;” and

Whereas, The scriptural standard for calls to the priesthood is “called of God as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:5) and acceptance by the people; and all other standards are cultural in nature and tend to vary from one culture to the next; and

Whereas, There is no record of Jesus giving any specific instruction about sexual orientation, but Jesus did instruct us to love one another, and in both word and action taught us to embrace marginalized persons; and

Whereas, The Standing High Council Statement on Homosexuality of March 18, 1982, has been adopted as World Church policy without ever having been approved by World Conference; and

Whereas, The current World Church policy on sexual orientation with regards to priesthood ministry is inconsistent with World Conference Resolution 1226, which states that “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, gender identity, 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;” therefore be it

Resolved, That the Standing High Council Statement on Homosexuality (March 18, 1982), and the World Church Leadership Council document “Community, Common Consent, and the Issue of Homosexuality” (October 2002), which restricts the ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, should be rescinded by those bodies responsible to do so; and be it further

Resolved, That calls for priesthood for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals should be processed through the normal procedures; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution allow those jurisdictions who welcome the ministry of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals to process priesthood calls, but in no way mandates priesthood calls for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals in those jurisdictions where culture and understanding inhibit, and /or the law prohibits homosexuals from full participation in societies or countries.