“A-4 Amendment to Community of Christ Bylaws—Organization of Additional Jurisdictional Units” from the First Presidency

Adopted March 25, 2007

Whereas, The Bylaws of Community of Christ specify that Conferences meet “as agreed upon by those who constitute their membership.” (Article IV, Section 1); and

Whereas, The issue of the frequency of the World Conference has been discussed from time to time by church leaders, the Conference Organization and Procedures Committee, and the World Conference (WCR 1253); and

Whereas, The church has a history of adjusting the intervals between World Conferences and the formats of these Conferences as the church has grown and the needs for ministry have changed; and

Whereas, It is desirable that the church “meet together often” while still recognizing that the primary focus of church resources should be on ministries in the field; and

Whereas, The costs of attending World Conference are increasing both in terms of actual funds expended and in terms of the opportunities that are lost when leaders around the world are required to devote large amounts of time to Conference planning and when members travel long distances to attend these events on a too frequent basis; and

Whereas, The World Church Leadership Council has given lengthy consideration to alternative ways to schedule World Conference and also accommodate the need for other educational and fellowship events, including those in fields, mission centers, and national settings; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That beginning with the upcoming inter-Conference period, World Conferences be scheduled to meet every three years; and be it further

Resolved, That WCR 1277 be rescinded.

A. A worldwide prophetic church must develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to distinguish between issues that should be addressed by the World Conference and those that are best resolved nationally or in other ways.

B. Fundamental principles of ethical behavior and relationships should be addressed by the World Conference. The Conference should not decide specific policies for all nations when those decisions likely will cause serious harm in some of them.

C. However, timely resolution of pressing issues in various nations is necessary for the restoring work of the gospel to move forward with all of its potential. Therefore, let the proper World Church officers act in their callings—as already provided in church law—to create and interpret church policies to meet the needs of the church in different nations in harmony with the principles contained in this counsel.

D. Where possible and appropriate, convene national or field conferences to provide opportunities for broader dialogue, understanding, and consent. In those gatherings, let the spirit of love, justice, and truth prevail.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT IF ADOPTED WILL READ:

Article VIII. Organization of additional jurisdictional units. As “the leading interpreters and teachers of the laws” (WCR 386), the First Presidency has the authority to organize additional forms of organizational units not currently foreseen. Such units may be based on national, other physical boundaries, or on no such geographical designations.

Rationale: Conditions, circumstances, and opportunities in the world are developing at a rapid rate. Amending the bylaws is a lengthy process that does not allow for timely response to such developments. This additional article would provide for the First Presidency to have the authority, in the best interest of the church, to organize units, jurisdictions, etc., not presently foreseen or anticipated in a timely fashion.

The Joint Council of the First Presidency, Twelve, and High Priests, which has been holding sessions during this conference, made report, reading:

To the Conference: The Joint Council, in compliance with your request, presents the following report, which embraces what has been agreed upon.

1. Office in the Church of Christ is not conferred to distinguish, or glorify, or increase the importance of the person on whom it is conferred.

2. Office in the church is conferred for the purpose of accomplishing certain results designed in the instituting and establishing the church.

3. All offices in the church come properly under the head of the priesthood. Under this general head all the officers are arranged, there being two orders of priesthood; the Melchisedec and the Aaronic.

4. The scope of the present council is confined to an inquiry into the calling, duties, and prerogatives of the First Presidency, Twelve, and the Quorum of High Priests.

5. The President of the church is primarily appointed by revelation.

6. This appointment is confirmed by the vote of the church properly taken.

7. That the Presidency is the leading quorum in the church. That the duty of presiding over the church devolves on that quorum. That it is the prerogative of the President to preside over the whole church, to bear the responsibility of the care and oversight of the work of the church, in all its different departments, and through the constituted officers of the church in their various callings, according to the laws, rules, and regulations in force and recognized by the church.

8. That it is the prerogative of the President to receive revelations from God and give them to the church for the direction and government of the affairs of the church.

9. That the members of the Presidency are leading interpreters and teachers of the laws and revelations of God, and are of right presidents of the General Assemblies of the church.

10. That the members of the Presidency are to Preside over the High Council, and in the exercise of this duty to render decisions on important causes submitted to that council.

11. That it is the prerogative of the Presidency, to receive revelations from God through the President and present them to the church.

12. That the Presidency are the counselors of the Twelve and exercise the right of presidency by direction and council to that quorum.

13. That the calling and duties of the High Priests are those of standing or local presidency of branches, districts, conferences, or stakes, to the presidency of which they may be called, or appointed by the constituted authorities of the church, in accordance to the law.

14. That “the Twelve” are the second quorum in authority and importance in the general work of the church; and is the leading missionary body of laborers, under the direction and counsel of the Presidency, whose duty it is to preach the gospel, win souls to Christ, administer in the rights of the gospel, carry the gospel to this and every other nation, take charge of and direct other missionaries; and to do any work within their calling, which the necessities of the work and general welfare of the church may demand.

JOSEPH SMITH [III]
President of Council.

HEMAN C. SMITH,
HENRY A. STEBBINS,
Secretaries of Council.

Whereas, Distress and sorrow have troubled some minds and hearts, due to a misunderstanding and misinterpretations of the Document on Church Government adopted by the General Conference of 1925, and 

Whereas, Particularly that portion of the document referring to “supreme directional control” as resting with the First Presidency has by some been represented as implying autocracy, papacy, infallibility, monarchy, an invasion of the legislative rights of the people, etc., and

Whereas, Such implications have been foreign to our understanding and in no way representative of the intentions of those who framed and supported the document and in no way representative of the intentions of those who administer it, and

Whereas, We desire as far as possible to promote a clearer and more unified understanding that wounds may be healed, and all be assisted to find true fellowship and final salvation in the church,

And be it further Resolved, That we reaffirm our bepretation set forth by President Frederick M. Smith and his associates, which interpretation recognizes:

Firstly, the supremacy of God, who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, and the divine right of that Son as builder of the church militant and the church triumphant to overrule and guide all the affairs of his church through the ministration of his Holy Spirit in testimony to all faithful Saints and through revelation to the one called and ordained to receive revelation for the church;

And which recognizes secondly, the undisputed right of General Conference as the chief legislative body of the church in the legislative arm of the church through which the people may speak and either approve or disapprove or initiate legislation;

And which thirdly sets forth, in the administrative work of the church only, the right of the Presidency as the chief or first executive body of the church to administer the laws and policies of the church as approved by General Conference;

And which fourthly disclaims any and all offensive application of the words “supreme directional control” as hereinbefore mentioned, and claims for the Presidency only the authority and the rights set forth under the law of the church as contained in the Three Standard Books of the church, the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants;

And Be It Further Resolved, That we reaffirm our unshaken belief in the doctrines, the organization, the authority, and the divine mission of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as the church in succession to that body organized by divine commandment April 6, 1830; And be it further

Resolved, That we invite all the honest in heart who before time have made covenant with us in the waters of baptism to cherish the ardor of their first love, to remain true and loyal to the church and her Lord, to have their part in her devotional services in the congregations of the Saints, and to gladly continue or renew their portion of service whether spiritual or temporal, under the admonition that all are called according to the gifts and callings of God unto them, and that minister and laborer and man of business shall all work together for the accomplishment of the work intrusted to all; And be it further

Resolved, That we reaffirm our belief in the gathering of God’s people to Zion and the second personal coming of our Lord and Master, and hold ourselves ready with all diligence to build up his kingdom and establish his righteousness, that Zion may be redeemed and a pure people be made ready for his coming.