K) Other New Business
i) Wendell Martin, Port Elgin, moved:

1. Whereas, the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims that all persons are of equal
worth in the sight of God (D&C 16: c-f; James 2: 1-13); and
2. Whereas, God calls people according to their giftedness and not specifically
by gender, race, economic or educational status (D&C119: 8b); and
3. Whereas, The sacraments symbolize God’s gracious interaction within the life
of the church as a whole and within the individual life of each disciple, and
4. Whereas, The sacrament of marriage symbolizes a sacred covenant between
two people seeking to make a life-long commitment of mutual support, love, and
faithfulness to one another; and
5. Whereas, Instructions given in former times are applicable in principle to the
needs of today, and the principles are to be evaluated and to be interpreted
anew (D&C 147:7); and
6. Whereas, WCR 1182 and WCR 272 contain principles of relationships
involving marriages that apply to any person but which currently contain wording
that could exclude some disciples;
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That WCR 1182 be amended by replacing the words “husband and
wife” with the words “marriage partners”; and
Resolved, That WCR 272 be amended by replacing the words “husband and
wife” with the words “marriage partners.”

Aaron Grigsby, Kitchener, moved an amendment that the term “marriage
partners” be changed to “marriage couple”. Carried

The Amended motion states:
Resolved, That WCR 1182 be amended by replacing the words “husband and
wife” with the words “marriage couple”; and
Resolved, That WCR 272 be amended by replacing the words “husband and
wife” with the words “marriage couple”.

A question was asked by David Donoghue, Scarborough, if the resolution was in
order. The chair ruled it in order. The ruling of the chair was appealed to the
house. On a vote, the ruling of the chair was upheld.

It was moved by Roy Young that the question be put. On a two-thirds vote, the
motion carried.

A resolution was moved by Terry Silcox, St. Thomas, that the voting be
conducted by written ballot. The motion was Lost.

Returning to the vote, the main motion was Carried as amended. (CEM08-74)

ii) Bill Reid, Sarnia, moved:

1. Whereas, WCR 386 identifies the First Presidency as the “leading interpreters
and teachers of the laws and revelations of God”; and
2. Whereas, The sacrament of marriage symbolizes a sacred covenant between
two people seeking to make a life-long commitment of mutual support, love, and
faithfulness to one another, and
3. Whereas, Some civil jurisdictions recognize same-sex marriages in their laws;
and
4. Whereas, The church recognizes such same-sex marriages for its members
in its records; and
5. Whereas, Wording within Doctrine and Covenants 111 referring to “husband
and wife” can be interpreted as scriptural justification for prohibiting priesthood
within the Community of Christ from officiating at the sacrament of marriage for
same-sex couples; and
6. Whereas, The current practice within the church of prohibiting priesthood
members from officiating at the sacrament of marriage for same-sex couples in
those areas where it is legal to do so amounts to a prohibition of sacramental
ministry on the basis of sexual orientation;
Therefore, be it
Resolved: It is an expression to the First Presidency of the faith and earnest
desire of this conference that priesthood within the Community of Christ be
allowed to officiate at the sacrament of marriage for same-sex couples in those
areas of the church where such marriages are legally recognized.

Bryce Taylor moved an amendment to add the words: “…and their Mission
Conference sustains this action. The action, if sustained, would effect all of the
Mission congregations except where the Mission Conference for cultural or any
other reasons, exempts specifically named congregations.”
This amendment was ruled out of order by the chair.

It was moved by Mervin Jaques, Bothwell, that the question be put. On a twothirds
vote, the motion was carried.

The Original Motion was Carried (CEM08-75)

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