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- An Overview of the rationale to Call and Convene them!
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- A good friend of mine, when embarking on anything new for the first
time always prays this prayer ▬
- Lord grant me that I may lay aside that which I think I know, and
permit me to learn those things that I need to know in order to do Thy
Will. Amen.
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- From an initial conference of branches that met in Beloit, Wisconsin in
June, 1852.
- Position taken by this conference was “All similar assemblages or bodies
convened and acted under the call of a leader or head; but this one
acknowledged none.”
- “Others were the results of a professed head. This was a preceding, or preparatory
body . . . being a headless body.”
- “Yet to them was visible the tokens of divine care, which, like the
cloud of the size of man’s hand to the ancient prophet, confirmed their
faith, and they were determined to wait and prepare for that time.”
- There was no intention at this time of organizing a new church, but
these men were acting as members and officers of the original church . .
. .
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- At a conference convened at the Yellowstone branch in Wisconsin in
October of 1852, the following resolution was adopted to choose a
temporary presiding officer for that conference.
- “Resolved, that the highest authority among the priesthood represents
the legitimate president as a presiding authority”
- “Thus ended the year 1852. This
band of saints had renounced all would-be leaders, and in confident
expectancy were waiting for promised light and wisdom. Yet they were resolved not to act
rashly or hastily, but to await patiently the unfolding of the plan, as
in the wisdom of God it should be revealed. So none presumed to know just what was
to be done.”
- – Church History, Vol. 3, pg. 213
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- Where was the Church during the lapse of time between the
disorganization and the Reorganization?
- Joseph Smith, III, April 8, 1896, The History of the Church, Volume 5,
page 346.
- It was with the remnant scattered abroad, who remained true to the
principles first given as the gospel of Christ; and with any body of
such remnant, numbering six or more, under the pastoral charge of an
elder, priest, teacher, or deacon.
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- Saints Herald, Vol. 39 (October 29, 1892), p. 695 under "Questions
and Answers" Joseph Smith,
III replies
- Question---Are there any rules or law governing and binding the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints other than those contained in the
King James Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants? If so, where are they?
- Answer---Yes. The acknowledged standard books of the church in
which are contained the word of the Lord, the letter of the gospel, the
revelations from God to the church, the rules of faith, order, practice
and procedure, information, and knowledge of the work of God in ancient
and modern times, are the Bible, King James or common version, the Holy
Scriptures, or Inspired Translation, the Book of Mormon, the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants, and the Rules of Order, adopted by the church,
and such acts and orders of conference as has been made necessary by the
growth and development of the church.
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- Specific sections taken from A Manual of Practice and Rules of Order
and Debate for Deliberative
Assemblies of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints Rules of Order and Debate, compiled by
Joseph Smith and T. W. Smith, 1876 ─ This is the benchmark for
early instruction in the Reorganization.
- Sec. 4 — Organization of Branches
- Branches are the primary and congregational organizations of the
Church, and may be formed wherever “six or more members in good standing
may be resident in any one neighborhood, one of whom must be an Elder,
Priest, Teacher, or Deacon.” Such organizations may be effected under
the care and supervision of any local or traveling Elder, if desired and
consented to by those who shall constitute such branch when it is
organized; or it may be organized with the consent or advice, or under
the direction of District, Mission, or General Church authorities.
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- SEC. 5 ─ All persons who are to have permanent charge of an
organized branch, should be chosen, they being previously eligible, by
vote properly taken at a regular meeting of such branch, or one
specially called for that purpose, of which due notice has been given.
- SEC. 6 ─ A branch is said to be fully organized, when there is a
presiding Elder, a Priest, a Teacher and a Deacon; there may be, if
necessity require, two or more Priests, Teachers and Deacons. In
addition to these officers, there maybe a secretary or clerk, who may or
may not be an Elder, Priest, Teacher or Deacon.
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- SEC. 8 ─ Conferences are secondary and governmental organizations of
the Church, and are quarterly, special, district and general.
- SEC. 9 ─ Special conferences are such assemblies of the members of
the Church, as may be called by traveling ministers, in places where no
previous organization has been effected, and for the temporary purposes
of their ministry in that locality.
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- SEC. 10 ─ District conferences are regular assemblies authorized
by the General Conference, or by the common consent of two or more
branches lying in near proximity to each other, for mutual improvement,
religious association, and for the permanent organization of the local
ministry.
- SEC. 11─ Two or more branches not already connected with a
district organization, the members of which may desire that such
branches should be formed into a district conference, may, upon notice
having been previously given, meet together at the place and upon the
time agreed upon, en masse, or by delegates, duly appointed by vote of
such branches, at a regular, or special meeting called for such purpose,
due notice of which had been previously given; and upon such meeting
together, the members so assembled may proceed to organize such
district.
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- SEC. 12 ─ Upon such assembling, someone who may have been
instrumental in calling the meeting should rise in his place, and,
addressing the rest, request them to come to order; silence being
secured, he should then suggest the necessity of a temporary
organization, that business may be properly done, and request them to
nominate some one to act as chairman or president; this nomination being
made and meeting favor by being seconded, he should then declare that
such a person, (calling the name he first hears, if more than one has
been named), has been nominated to act as chairman, and asking the
question, “Shall the person so named take the chair?” If it be decided
in the affirmative, the one so chosen at once assumes the presidency and
proceeds with the business of the meeting; should it be decided in the
negative, names are presented and voted upon until a choice is effected.
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- SEC. 13 ─ The temporary organization being completed, the desire
for more permanent organization should be presented by those favoring
it; when, if it be decided upon, the assembly should proceed to make
choice of one of their number to act as President of the District, whose
duty it shall be to have charge of the several congregations forming the
district; a Vice President may be chosen, if deemed advisable; and a
Secretary, and the organization is completed, and the officers may at
once assume the discharge of their duties, the temporary officers
retiring to the body of the assembly, which proceeds to the
consideration of any business necessary to be done, or adjourns to a
given time and place for further deliberation. The presiding officer of
a meeting is usually called the President, and the recording officer the
Secretary; though they are sometimes called the Chairman and the Clerk.
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- From the earliest days of the Reorganization the conception of a local
branch was considerably different from the model that we currently labor
under. This was the case until early in the twentieth century when
President Frederick M. Smith instituted changes that have left us
basically as we are today.
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- A “fully organized” local branch in the early period of the
Reorganization (mid 1870's to early 1917) consisted of 4 (four) branch
officers who were elected by the voice of that branch:
- A Presiding Elder
- A Presiding Priest
- A Presiding Teacher
- A Presiding Deacon
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- These officers constituted a branch council that represented the voice
of the people and were the authorized officers of the local branch.
They were the local authorities that guarded the rights and
liberties in the local branch, and provided a crucial check against
higher authorities in the church from undermining the voice of the
people in local jurisdictions.
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- “You will remember that the General Conference some years ago (1917) we
repealed the provision in the Book of Rules providing for the election
of a presiding priest, teacher, and deacon...In the meantime the
Presidency has advised that the local branch elect a branch president,
and that all local officers of the Aaronic priesthood who are in good
standing are available for work shall be utilized under his direction.
- This brings them into immediate contact with the presiding officer
rather than placing them under some department head elected by the
branch who may or may not be in sympathy with the branch president.
- . . . We see no reason why in
large branches a presidency of three should not be elected. One of
these, however, should be the president and the other two elders should
be regarded as counselors . . .”
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- The church adheres to the doctrines and tenets of the original “Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” as organized by Joseph Smith (the
martyr), now deceased, on the sixth day of April, A. D. 1830, as the
same has been reorganized by Joseph Smith, now of Plano, Illinois. .
. Said Reorganized Church and its
stakes and branches are in all respects subject to the doctrines and
tenets of the said original, and reorganization, in this article
mentioned.
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- Ordinances have been changed
- Sacramental prayers
- Open Communion
- The ordination of women
- The name of the church and its operations has changed
- Priesthood authority has been changed
- The office of the president of the high priesthood as well as the role
of prophet, seer and revelator
- The role of Patriarch ─ Patriarchal Blessings
- Women given priesthood authority
- The authority of the Scriptures has changed
- The Inspired Version of the Bible out, N.I.V. in
- The Book of Mormon de-emphasized, paraphrased
- The Doctrine & Covenants de-emphasized
- Priesthood unlawfully silenced
- Branches have been locked out
- Districts have been disbanded
- Stakes called by revelation have been disbanded
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- The Reorganized Church has undergone fragmentation, which has left many
Saints scattered, discouraged and isolated.
- New churches and organizations in the Restoration have arisen.
- Restoration Branches have encountered difficulty in finding ways to
unify the Saints.
- The higher quorums of the church (Presidency, Twelve and Seventy) have
entered into transgression to the point of disorder.
- The legal and spiritual authority of the Community of Christ is in
question.
- The branches are the primary organizational units of the church, but
they are limited in their individual power to act in reordering the
church.
- What steps can be lawfully taken to establish secondary governmental
organizations?
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- Fortunately, the law of the church provides for lawfully organized
restoration branches to come together, to call for, and order a special
conference comprised of those branches that desire to maintain the
restored gospel as preserved in the Reorganization.
- The promise is that when Saints move forward in attempting to do God’s
will, then they will receive clarification of the means and ways of His
will and be edified by the presence of His Holy Spirit ─ “Verily,
verily I say unto you, I will impart unto you of My Spirit, which shall
enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy, and then shall
ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of
me, which is pertaining unto things of righteousness.” [D&C 10:7]
- “And again, I say unto you . . . I give unto you directions how you may
act before Me, that it may turn to you for your salvation. I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what
I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” [D&C
82:3]
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- It should have been done before, but the adversary hath hindered,
desiring to prevent the success of My work in the earth. D&C 122:13d
- Behold, verily I say unto you, There are hypocrites among you, and have
deceived some, which has given the adversary power, but, behold, such
shall be reclaimed; but the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be
cast off. D&C 50:3
- The wickedness of the church was a great stumbling block to those that
did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its
progress. The example of the
church began to lead those who were unbelievers, on from one piece of
iniquity to another. Alma
2:1-18
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- “For, behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things, for he
that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise
servant . . . .” ─
D & C 58:6c
- The power and authority of the higher, or Melchisedek priesthood, is to
hold the keys [right to act] of all the spiritual blessings of the
church ─ D & C 104:9. “This conveys to us, clearly, that if
the Melchisedek priesthood is present in any of its offices, the right
to organize, or to reorganize; the power to establish, build up, and
confirm all the church is there; and, if directed by command of God, to
perform all the work necessary.” ─ History of the Church, Vol. 5,
page 348 [1896].
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- They all have one thing in common – a new organization & a different
name.
- They have called men to higher offices than of elder and formed some of
the higher quorums unlawfully.
- Represented the interests of an individual or a group of individuals who
were not qualified to assume the authority of a prophet, seer and
revelator because they were not of the lineage of Joseph Smith, Jr. and
were not ordained properly as president of the high priesthood.
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- Finally, they have not followed the pattern of a “Theocratic Democracy”
described by Joseph Smith, III as originating through command of God and
administered by His authority thru priesthood. Sustained by the light of His Spirit,
the church exists for His holy purposes.
Nevertheless, our Heavenly Father has provided that the Saints
should have a significant role in the government of His church:
"neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church
contrary to the church covenants, for all things must be done in order
and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." ¾ DC 27:4
- As branches are the primary and congregational organization of the
church, it is necessary that they be permitted to preserve these
important democratic principles and encourage all Saints to take an
active role in the government of the church.
- The cycle of a few deciding things for the whole must end and the voice
of the church at large must be given the opportunity to be heard.
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- Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for I say unto you, many shall
seek to enter in, and shall not be able; for the Lord shall not always
strive with man. Luke 13:24
- “I will not receive you, for ye
know not from whence ye are.” Luke
13:25
- Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to
counsel your Lord. Amen. D&C
20:1c
- Wherefore let all men beware how they take My name in their lips; for,
behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this
condemnation; who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having
not authority. D&C 63:15d
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- Properly organized branches have the right to call on other branches to
join together in conference.
- Special conferences called by branches are considered to be part of the
secondary units of church government.
- Our purpose is to form a better union of branches, enhance harmony among
the Saints, foster efficiency of effort, and forge a firmer foundation
on which to build up the K/G.
- Branches convening conferences to promote unity and permit the voice and
vote of the people to determine specific points which define our origins
and common beliefs are directly involved in the ordering of the church.
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- The church of Jesus Christ is a living organism that exists not only as
the body of Christ, but also as that divine organization of which Christ
is the Head.
- It took several years for the internal organizational structure of the
church to reach “completion” after being restored upon the earth.
- In March, 1836, Joseph Smith,
Jr., states “I then observed to the quorums, that I had now completed
the organization of the church, and we had passed through all the
necessary ceremonies, that I had given them all the instruction they
needed, and that they now were at liberty, after obtaining their
licenses to go forth and build up the kingdom of God.” (Millennial Star, 15:728)
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- The above organization consisted of the following quorums: First presidency, three in number;
twelve, traveling high council; high priests, number indefinite;
seventy, seven times seventy; bishopric, as the work may demand;
standing high council, twelve persons in each, over each stake; elders,
ninety-six to a quorum; priests, forty-eight to a quorum; teachers,
twenty-four to a quorum; deacons, twelve to a quorum. (A Manual of the Priesthood or, God’s Ministry as Revealed in
these Last Days from the Doctrine & Covenants and Church History,
Charles Derry); Articles of Incorporation, 1872; Appendix A, Rules of
Order and Debate, 1876.
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- Transgression leading to change in the doctrines and organization of the
church occurred over many years.
- At points along the way, our hindsight allows us to see those low-water
marks in our history.
- The organization generally broke down from top to bottom whereas ordering
of the church must commence from the bottom to the top.
- Transgression which has led to disorganization within the church does
not mean authority to reorder the church isn’t present.
- With the apparent disordering of the higher quorums of church
organization, many of the secondary units have ceased to function, but
those branches (primary units) that have remained faithful continue to
maintain the authority to act as Christ’s agent.
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- The proposed joint conference of branches is not associated with the
Community of Christ in any manner, nor are they a sanctioning
organization.
- There has been no attempt on the part of any committee members to forge
any working agreements nor enter into any formal arrangements with the
leaders of the Community of Christ church other than the rental of
specific buildings.
- Presently no formal association with any Restoration group exists.
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- As faithful Saints have the right to organize branches of the church,
several branches have the right to call a joint conference. The authority is authorized in The
Rules of Order, Sec. 9, 1876.
- The call to convene a joint conference of branches is voluntary and each
branch has the right to participate or not to. Likewise, a participating branch can
withdraw from the conference at any time.
- The conference is primarily a branch conference with branches being
represented by the elected delegates from each branch choosing to
attend.
- If you are member of a branch that chooses not to participate in the
joint conference, you may attend as a member of the church at large.
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- Each branch desiring to participate in the conference should discuss the
details being presented to them and then call for a special business
meeting to seek the approval of the branch and to elect delegates who
will attend the conference in November if agreed on by the branch.
- Certification of each delegate, a history of the branch organization,
by-laws, and the names of all members attending the branch should be
forwarded to the conference credentials committee. The office of those holding priesthood
should be designated.
- Any branch resolutions should be submitted as soon as possible.
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- Each Restoration branch that wants to be certified is being asked to
submit all pertinent information that will give the branch’s date of
organization, who were the principal organizers and identify the # of
members in good standing who attend.
- Each branch will be allotted (1) official delegate (branch president or
other designated priesthood member) and (1) delegate for each 25
members. All qualified delegates
must be elected by the branch which certifies them. R.L.D.S. Church
History, Vol. 4, p 421
- Examples
- 6-25 = 1 26-50 = 1 51-75 = 1
- 76-100 = 1 101-125 = 1 126-150 = 1
- 151-200 = 1 201-225 = 1 226-250 =1
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- Participation at the initial conference of restoration branches is open
to both members and delegates.
- Delegate votes = 25 each, Member votes = 1 each.
- Members are those persons who have received an authoritative baptism and
are in good standing in the church.
- Restoration Branch members wishing to exercise their right to vote shall
be named on their respective branch’s membership roster which is
submitted to Credentials Committee.
- Unaffiliated members may apply directly to the Credentials Committee by
providing adequate evidence or direct testimony.
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- The officers and committee members elected on August 20, 2005 are only
temporary and their official responsibilities end as of the opening of
the joint conference on November 10, 2005.
- The one to chair or preside over the branch conference is to be
nominated and sustained by the vote of the delegates present.
- A clerk or secretary as well as a treasurer is to be nominated and
elected.
- It is suggested that appropriate committees be appointed and sustained.
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- Credentials Committee
- Logistics Committee
- Planning sub-committee
- Publicity sub-committee
- Rules sub-committee
- Joint Activities Committee
- Evangelism Committee
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- The seventy in all meetings and gatherings of the membership, where no
previous organization has been effected? Doctrine & Covenants 122:9a
- Where organization has been arranged and officers have been ordained and
set in order; the standing ministry in their order; high priests,
elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. Ibid, 9b
- Leaving the branches and districts where organization is effected to the
care and administration of the standing ministers, high priests, elders,
priests, teachers, and deacons, as far as possible. Ibid, 7b [Intended to free up the missionary
quorums, as well as those high priests and elders that can travel and
preach.]
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- Once the specific conference of branches has been organized, those
delegates and members convened need to establish a working agenda for
each day.
- Suggestions will be made from the temporary officers and committees
which have planned the conference, but the actual working order and
process of the conference will be up to the delegates and members
present.
- The initial conference is called to represent both the voice and vote of
the many delegates which represent their branches as well as members at
large.
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- Worship will be the fundamental purpose by which fellowship and unity
will be promoted.
- Prayer and Testimony
- Preaching
- Classes and or presentations
- Credentialing & Rules of Representation adopted
- Prioritize pending resolutions and schedule all order of business to be
brought before the body.
- Formulation of a collective agreement by those delegates and members
present which will identify our origins and common beliefs and goals.
- Branches will have the opportunity to present resolutions for the
express purpose of submitting basic statements that would assist the
body in identifying specific concepts that would form our core beliefs
and understandings.
- These central ideas would then be voted on by their respective branches
and the results reported back to the conference secretary prior to
1-31-06.
- Set dates for next joint conference
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- Although significant planning has gone into developing a general outline
of possible business that could be conducted, as well as specific
recommendations as to how to manage the business of the conference, the
final and ultimate outcome remains in the voice and vote of the
convening conference of branches.
- Rules for ordering the conference as well those officers and committees
who will be chosen will be acted upon by the body.
- Resolutions and other orders of business must each be determined on an
individual basis by the voice and vote of the body.
- The conference will be a shared learning experience for all who gather
together.
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- Trust not in the arm in flesh, but trust in Jesus Christ to lead His
band of Saints.
- Bring your hopes and desires
- Leave behind your despair & frustration.
- Surrender your will to the will of the Heavenly Father and His Only
Begotten Son.
- Exercise the Spiritual preparation now that will permit the body of
Christ to come together and do the work of the K/G.
- Exercise your rights as a member of the body of Christ to raise up your
voice in petition to God to hear the cries of His people and for Him to
lead us out of our spiritual wilderness.
- Come and be heard
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Notes
