2010 World Conference

Official Minutes of Business Session
Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The 2010 World Conference convened in legislative session at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in the Conference Chamber of the Auditorium, Independence, Missouri. President Stephen M. Veazey was in the chair.

The assembly sang the hymn, “Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works,” accompanied by Jan Kraybill on the organ. Bonnie Hinderks, Far West USA Mission Center, offered an invocation.

Conference Assistant Director Wim van Klinken was recognized to make several announcements.

Approval of the Minutes

President Veazey called attention to the minutes of the business session of Monday, April 12, 2010, printed on page B-94. The minutes were approved as distributed.

Nominations for Graceland University Board of Trustees

The chair referred to item B-1, “Graceland University Board of Trustees Nominations,” on pages B-52 and B-54. The following individuals were nominated:

Vacancy 1: W. Gary Howard
Vacancy 2: Lori A. Kaleikau
Vacancy 3: Sharon D. Graybill

President Veazey noted the printed biographies. He pointed out that those nominated from the floor must have given their consent, and biographical information must be given to the World Church secretary by noon Wednesday, April 14, 2010. The floor then was opened for additional nominations.

Because there were no additional nominations, an election was held by hand vote. The name of each candidate was presented to the assembly, and each was declared elected.

Nominations for World Church Finance Board

President Veazey called attention to item B-2, “World Church Finance Board,” on pages B-54 and B-55. The chair reviewed the members of the nominating committee.
The item placed the following names into nomination for six-year terms expiring June 30, 2016: Jorge Omar Cerrato, Richard L. Argotsinger, Noel E. Sherer, Charles L. Woodstock, Dena R. DeVormer, Rachel J. Bradford, Debra A. Sullivan, Kirt D. De Haan, Rairii B. Tama, Evan Jenkins, Michael G. Giardina, Dean T. Wight, Michael J. Hewitt, Jimmie L. Andersen, and Chad D. Ormsbee. The item placed the following names into nomination for three-year terms expiring June 30, 2013: Darwyn Copa Caceres, Diana J. Hansen, Stephen E. Dunagan, Jeremy J. Sellars, and Randall A. Carlson.

Because there were no additional nominations, without objection the chair called for a vote on the nominees, first on those nominated for six-year terms and then on those nominated for three-year terms. Those nominated were declared elected.

The chair acknowledged the work of the nominating committee in preparing for our election.

Reports of World Church Teams

President Veazey directed attention to the work of World Church Teams, located in the L section of the Conference book. He added that the Presidency is appreciative of the work of these teams and their leaders and commends the reports to the Conference.

Consideration of Counsel to the Church

President Veazey indicated the next order of business would be the consideration of Counsel to the Church, which he presented to the church April 11, 2010, printed on pages B-72 to B-75. President Veazey then relinquished the chair to President David D. Schaal and withdrew from the Conference Chamber during consideration.

President Schaal reviewed the process of considering the document. He then recognized Amanda Hernandez Cienfuegos and Apostle Rick W. Maupin to offer prayers over the deliberations of the assembly.

Apostle James E. Slauter moved that the Conference accept the document titled Counsel to the Church, dated April 11, 2010, as inspired counsel and direction to the church, and authorize its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. A second was received.

The Conference then received reports from the quorums, councils, orders, mass meetings, and caucuses that had met to consider the document.

The First Presidency,
read by Becky L. Savage

To the World Conference:
After prayerful consideration, the First Presidency offers full support for the Counsel to the Church presented by President Veazey. We dedicate our lives and our ministry to following God’s inspired direction for Community of Christ, now and into the future.

Sincerely,
Becky L. Savage
Counselor to the President
and member of the First Presidency

Council of Twelve Apostles,
read by Linda L. Booth

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
As a result of intentional prayer since the Counsel to the Church was given by Prophet-President Stephen M. Veazey on January 17, 2010, the Council of Twelve Apostles has been dwelling in the counsel and experiencing a growing sense of God’s Spirit moving the church in mission to bring Christ’s peace to all people. On April 12, 2010, the council continued in prayerful discernment and shared its witness that this counsel dated, April 11, 2010, is indeed the mind and will of God for the church today. The council unanimously supported including the inspired counsel in the Doctrine and Covenants. We thank our dear Brother Steve for his humility and vulnerability to God’s grace and direction.

Sincerely,
Linda L. Booth
Secretary, Council of Twelve Apostles

Quorums of Seventy,
read by John S. Wight

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The seven quorums of seventy met individually Monday, April 12, and Tuesday, April 13, 2010, to consider Prophet-President Stephen M. Veazey’s Counsel to the Church for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. After prayerful preparation and discussion, each quorum approved the document paragraph by paragraph and in its entirety for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Two quorums meeting together indicated that some still have some concerns about portions of the counsel, but they trust the same spirit that brought the counsel to the church will bring the answer to their uncertainties.

The seventy express deep appreciation to Brother Veazey for his willingness to prepare himself in such a way that he could be a vessel for this inspired counsel, for his vision of the future, and for his leadership.

Respectfully submitted,
John S. Wight
Secretary, Council of Presidents of Seventy

Order of Bishops,
read by Charles Curry

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The Order of Bishops met in a spirit of discernment and prayerfully considered the Counsel to the Church first presented January 17, 2010.
The order expressed its support of the counsel and approved its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
The order expresses deep appreciation for and support of the discernment process and looks forward to sharing with the church as we respond to God’s challenge expressed in these words.

Respectfully submitted,
Charles Curry
Jane Watkins
Secretaries Pro-tem, Order of Bishops

Children’s and Youth Delegate Caucus,
read by Reneé Crandall

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
In the Children’s and Youth Delegate Caucus, after interesting questions were raised and multiple viewpoints were heard and respected, we voted to support the Counsel to the Church. In verse 9, we find strength and encouragement to move forward, and we want to match President Veazey’s courageousness to live out the spirit of the document.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeri Lauren Lambert
Secretary, Children’s and Youth Delegate Caucus

Spanish-speaking Caucus,
read by Angela Ramirez

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The Spanish-speaking Caucus met together and read the Counsel to the Church, paragraph by paragraph.

We have talked about it carefully. We have decided by the majority of votes to accept the entire inspired document.

Gratefully,
Angela Ramirez and Alfredo Zelaya Martinez
Facilitators, Spanish-speaking Caucus

French-speaking Caucus,
read by Tanoh Assoi

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The French-speaking Caucus met April 12, 2010, and accepted the Counsel to the Church by a majority vote. Nevertheless, lots of questions remain on baptism, confirmation, and marriage in Community of Christ. The caucus requests more clarifications from the First Presidency on those subjects.

Respectfully,
Tanoh Assoi
Presider, French-speaking Caucus

Tahitian-speaking Caucus,
read by John Mairai

To the First Presidency and to the World Conference:

Ia Ora Na,

After two mornings of concerted reflection, in a spirit of openness but also of apprehension, the Tahitian-speaking Caucus continues to affirm that Community of Christ is a prophetic church with visionary leadership.

To this effect, the Tahitian-speaking Caucus deliberated and unanimously approved the Counsel to the Church, section by section and in its entirety.

With respect and in Christ, please accept our most humble greetings.
Herenui Tepava and Clément Clark-Tefau
Presiders, Tahitian-speaking Caucus

English-speaking Delegate Caucus,
read by Ruthann Essig

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
With open and prayerful hearts the majority of the caucus supports Counsel to the Church.

We thank President Veazey for his willingness to serve as prophet and for engaging us in this process.

In pledging our support to leadership, we recognize our responsibilities as followers of Christ for continued prayer, listening, and discernment.

In the Spirit of Christ,
Ruthann Essig
Secretary, English-speaking Delegate Caucus

Elders Mass Meeting,
read by Brittany Longsdorf

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
Over the last two days, the members of the Elders Mass Meeting met to consider a motion to support the Counsel to the Church for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Members of the mass meeting shared many testimonies of their own discernment journeys with Counsel to the Church. The body acknowledged the counsel to be divinely inspired and recommended its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Elders Mass Meeting expresses to President Veazey its appreciation of his compassionate and courageous leadership. It acknowledges this counsel as inspiring us forward into mission.

Respectfully submitted,
Brittany Longsdorf, secretary

Aaronic Mass Meeting,
read by Holly Norton

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The Aaronic Mass Meeting assembled April 12 and 13, 2010, to consider through prayer, discernment, and discussion the Counsel to the Church. The group voted to accept and support the counsel.

Respectfully submitted,
Dianne Zweig
Secretary, Aaronic Mass Meeting

Quorum of High Priests,
read by Wim van Klinken

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The Quorum of High Priests has given prayerful consideration to the Counsel to the Church presented by President Stephen M. Veazey on April 11, 2010. We express deep appreciation for the sensitivity and courage of our prophet in discerning the divine will for the church. We praise God for continuing to reveal direction and counsel and for the Holy Spirit’s affirmation of this message. As Ministers of Vision, the members of the Quorum of High Priests forward our strong support to the World Conference for approval of this document and its inclusion in the book of Doctrine and Covenants.

Wim van Klinken
Secretary, Quorum of High Priests

Order of Evangelists,
read by Richard Kohlman

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
The Order of Evangelists assembled in session April 12–13, 2010, to consider the Counsel to the Church, dated April 11, 2010.

Having been blessed through the spiritual discipline of centering prayer and after being led in prayer by three members of the order, we gave thoughtful and respectful consideration to the counsel over our two sessions together. We were blessed with a spirit of peace, compassion, and hopefulness and have approved the counsel and recommend its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.

We are deeply appreciative of the leadership of President Veazey, his willingness to carry the burdens of his office with grace and conviction, and his deep love, for not only the people of the church, but for all of God’s creation.

Richard E. Kohlman
Secretary, Order of Evangelists

Each of the first four paragraphs was read by President Becky L. Savage, and there was discussion on these paragraphs. The Conference indicated support of the first four paragraphs.

Conference Assistant Director Wim van Klinken shared an announcement.

The Conference sang “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.” Hiroshi Yamada, Asia Mission Center, offered a prayer of benediction. The World Conference adjourned at 4:40 p.m. to meet again at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010.

Andrew M. Shields
Secretary