Whereas, Community of Christ is an international faith community providing ministry to diverse cultures and ethnicities around the world; and

Whereas, The gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims that all persons are of equal worth in the sight of God; and

Whereas, The 1982 Standing High Council statement concerning homosexual persons was drafted by a council of limited ethnic and cultural diversity not fully representative of the larger church of today; and

Whereas, Much has been learned from medical, social, and psychological fields of study concerning the nature of sexual orientation and gender identities in the past 25 years; and

Whereas, WCR 1226, adopted by common consent, states, “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;” and

Whereas, Community of Christ is instructed in Doctrine and Covenants 163:7c that “It is not pleasing to God when any passage of scripture is used to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings. Much physical and emotional violence has been done to some of God’s beloved children through misuse of scripture. The church is called to confess and repent of such attitudes and practices;” now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That this World Conference affirms that homosexuality is not a sin which disqualifies people from fully sharing their gifts within Community of Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That this World Conference affirms its belief that God calls people to priesthood offices according to their gifts, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity; and be it further

Resolved, That Community of Christ will no longer use sexual orientation or gender identity to disqualify those with calls to priesthood which have been approved through the proper channels in their jurisdiction; and be it further

Resolved, That this World Conference recognizes that Community of Christ leaders have the latitude to discern how and when to implement this resolution in nations where homosexuality is considered a crime or church members may face harm if found with materials discussing homosexual issues.