General Conferences

The purpose of a conference is to confer. A successful conference listens to the needs, considers the ramifications, consults others opinions, and seeks God’s advice before rendering a decision.

Historical Background
Most folks with a heritage in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) recall that the term General Conference referred to a conference that was called by the presiding officers of the church. They were generally held in early April to coincide with the date of the founding of the church on April 6, 1830. In the 1960s the RLDS began to use the term World Conference, rather than General Conference, to better reflect the fact it was a conference in which members and delegates were conducting business in behalf of members around the world. This world-wide conference was held at The Auditorium in Independence, Missouri (USA), headquarters for the RLDS.

Within the traditional structure of the RLDS other conferences were held by lower jurisdictional units beginning with branches, districts, stakes and later within regions. They could conduct business germane to their jurisdiction and recommend items for discussion and legislation later to be brought to the General Conference.

In the 1960s the RLDS began to introduce new doctrine and practices, which accelerated through the 1990s. A number of branches declared themselves to be “independent Restoration Branches” – independent of the RLDS hierarchy but not necessarily independent of each other. These branches continued the teaching and practices of the early RLDS, but did not – or in some cases, were not allowed – to participate in the World Conferences of the evolving RLDS . Finally, with the change in the name of the church from RLDS to the Community of Christ (CoC), it became clear that the independent Restoration Branches no longer had a home.

Informal meetings between Restoration Branches in the Center Place began to take on an increased urgency as an alternative to the CoC and a vehicle for the independent Restoration Branches to come together in the spirit of unity. In November, 2005 this resulted in the call for a joint conference between the independent Restoration Branches.

This conference, which was open to independent Restoration Branches throughout the world, adopted Rules of Representation, Rules of Order and conducted business, including the election of officers to preside over the conference. They also adopted the name Joint Conference of Restoration Branches. Although there were attendees from several nations, the November 2005 Conference did not designate itself as a General or a National Conference.

JCRB Conferences were held in April of 2006 and 2007, leading to the call for a General Conference in April, 2008. In preparation for the General Conference there was a concerted effort to extend a personal and written invitation to all pastors and members of known Restoration Branches (some of which had not yet participated in the JCRB activities or conferences) and to various factional groups. In addition, the invitation was opened to anyone who had received an authoritative baptism. This broad invitation has continued to be extended to individuals from all branches of the Restoration to present their credentials of an authoritative baptism and then be given voice and vote in any of the JCRB conferences.

Authority to Convene a General Conference
The essential question is, did the JCRB have the right to call a General Conference and if so, was it done properly?

When a careful study of: 1) the laws of the original church, 2) the Doctrine and Covenants, 3) RLDS Church History – especially volumes 3 & 5, and 4) the prolific writings of Joseph Smith III, it is clear the JCRB correctly followed the guidance in these documents in calling for a General Conference.1 In addition, the JCRB took extensive measures to invite all Restoration Saints with an authoritative baptism to come, be properly seated and to have voice and vote in the proceedings of the Conference.

Members and delegates from around the world were present and participated in the first General Conference which was held at the Truman Memorial Building in Independence, MO from April 6 to 12, 2008.

At the April 2008 General Conference, a resolution was passed calling for the JCRB to “convene an international General Conference each April in Independence, MO where the entire church shall come together to direct the work.” This resolution has resulted in General Conferences in April of 2009, 2010 and the forthcoming 2011 conference.