Moving Forward with Section 164 and Conference Resolutions

The Holy Spirit moved in our midst during World Conference, because of God’s grace, the prayerful preparation of the delegates, and the prayerful support of members and friends throughout the worldwide church.

Discerning together unites us and sends us in God’s mission to bring Christ’s peace to all people. Although Conference discussions revealed a wide span of understanding and belief amongst delegates, there was a spirit of gentle kindness and respect for one another. The Spirit was present, uniting us in our diversity and showing us how we can walk together into the future with God.

Section 164
Delegates overwhelmingly voted that the Counsel to the Church, given January 17, be authorized for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants as Section 164. This section calls us to deepen our discipleship as we live the meaning of our baptism daily and “become fully immersed in the servant life of Christ.”

In addition, Section 164

• Recognizes the baptismal covenant of those who were baptized in Christ in other denominations, giving them opportunity to live out their discipleship in Community of Christ through the sacrament of confirmation. More information will be provided by church leaders concerning policies that will emerge as we better understand paragraph two.

• Provides opportunity for national conferences to consider priority issues specific to nations and cultures. As a result, all World Conference legislation related to human sexuality was not considered.

• Asks us to live in sacred community as Christ’s new creation and not be fearful of spiritual and relational transformation that “requires whole-life stewardship dedicated to expanding the church’s restoring ministries.”

• Calls us to give our lives to the mission of Jesus Christ, which is what matters most for the journey ahead.

World Conference Resolutions
Delegates voted to approve five resolutions. WCR1294 Request for Periodically Updated Information requests that the First Presidency provide the Church an annual update on the progress and results of their consultations on human sexuality through the Herald and other appropriate communications. WCR1295 Human Trafficking prompts church members to investigate resources to help fight slavery, assist victims, and participate in those activities. It includes suggested activities and organizations to get involved in. WCR1295 also charges the Human Rights Team to recommend resources, support congregations and mission centers in this cause, and work with the Presiding Bishopric to determine how to financially support efforts to abolish slavery.

WCR1296 Amendment to Bylaws creates options for holding national, field, and cultural area conferences. WCR1297 set the dates for the next World Conference as April 13–20, 2013. WCR1298 Abundance will lead to identification of a resource development team to explore the feasibility of developing culturally sensitive and language specific teaching materials and practical guidelines to encourage and enable members to develop healthy and righteous attitudes and practices toward creating, magnifying, and accumulating material abundance.

Legislative items on abolition of nuclear weapons and establishing a World Trade Day were referred by delegates to the Peace and Justice Team. An item on structural support for holistic ministries was referred to the Presiding Bishopric.

For complete text of World Conference resolutions and other Conference actions, see www.CofChrist.org/wc2010/wcr.asp. To read Doctrine and Covenants 164, go to www.CofChrist.org/D&C164.