Currently there are 4 branches that have Proposed Joint Conference Resolutions. Click on them to tak you to their resolutions.
Submitted by the Zarahemla Branch
1) We believe that The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as reorganized by Joseph Smith III is the lawful successor to the Church founded by Joseph Smith, Jr.
2) An elder, with the concurrence of six or more members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints living in close proximity, one of whom is an elder, priest, teacher, or deacon, may organize a branch of the Church. (Articles of Incorporation, Article 1)
3) We believe that the primary and congregational organizational unit of the Church is the branch and that the Church of Jesus Christ, organized on the sixth day of April, 1830, and reorganized by Joseph Smith III, exists as on that day wherever six or more Church members are organized into a branch according to the pattern in the Doctrine and Covenants.
4) We recognize the office and ordinances of record of any man who can trace his priesthood in an unbroken chain to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
5) We do not recognize the office nor ordinances of record of any woman who claims priesthood authority.
6) Since the whole law of the Church of Jesus Christ is contained in the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, we agree to be governed by that law as it was interpreted by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through January 1, 1958.
7) This conference believes it is the duty of the elders of the church, who have been legally ordained, to cry repentance and remission of sins to this generation, through obedience to the gospel as revealed in the Bible, the Book of Mormon and Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and not to faint in the discharge of duty.
8) We believe that a person's participation in the differing factions which have grown out of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints neither adds to nor takes away from the rights, privileges, and powers granted him by baptism or ordination in the Reorganized Church.
9) Any person baptized by an authorized priesthood member is a member of the Church.
10) No Joint Conference nor any of its officers has the right or authority to regulate or otherwise interfere with the affairs of participating branches by virtue of office or position in the Joint Conference.
11) The successor of the Presiding High Priest in the Melchisedec Priesthood must of necessity be of the seed of Joseph Smith, Jr., in fulfillment of the law and promises.
12) As long as Wallace B. Smith is alive, no one lese can name a successor to the Presidency of the High Priesthood.
Submitted Zion's Hill Branch
Whereas, Quorum organization is essential to the ministry of the Seventy (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:11e); and
Whereas, The Seventy are authorized to construct their own quorum "in the spirit of prayer and supplication and wisdom," subject to the subsequent approval of the church (Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:5; and 104:43a; and 121:5); therefore be it
Resolved, That this Conference of Branches invites the faithful Restoration Seventy to legally organize and function as a quorum as defined by the Lord's words in the Doctrine and Covenants with the support and approval of the Saints.
Submitted Mt Zion Restoration Branch
Whereas the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ Restoration Branches unanimously uphold the teaching of the three standards books of scripture concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage. We believe that marriage is both honorable and ordained of God (Mark 10:7, DC 49:3a-c, DC 111, IV Nephi 1:11-13.) It is a sacred covenant made between man, woman and God; This covenant is binding and in force until one of the marriage partners die, at which time the covenant is fulfilled (DC 111:2b,d,4b; Romans 7:1-3; I Corinthians 7:39-40.)
Whereas, we acknowledge, however, that the church has failed in its responsibility to teach the law of God to the people and to adequately counsel prospective marriage partners, which has resulted in widespread disintegration of the family unit and disobedience to the laws of God.
Whereas, the scriptures clearly state that the only provision given for divorce is in the case of fornication (Matthew 19:1-9; III Nephi 5:79-80; DC 42:20a.) Nevertheless, God still discourages and decries it (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:7.) Fornication is scripturally defined as any sexual act before marriage or any unlawful union such as homosexuality or beastiality. The scriptures also clearly state that the only time a person is free to remarry is when their marriage partner has died (DC 111:4b, I Corinthians 7:39.) Furthermore, priesthood members, Aaronic and Melchisedec alike, are to be the husband of one wife (I Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6-9.)
Whereas, it should also be noted that close examination of the scriptures reveals that it is unlawful for a priesthood member to counsel a couple to divorce (DC 111:4c.)
Be it resolved that our service should then be to build up, encourage, and strengthen the covenant relationship, that we might be called "the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the paths to dwell in" (ISA 58:12.) Our desire is to uphold God's celestial law, that we might prepare a people for the return of Christ and that we might remain faithful to the covenant of priesthood which we have made with God.
Submitted The Independence Branch
707 Allen Road
Independence, MO 64050
1) Resolutions from by the Independence Branch for consideration by the Conference of Restoration Branches. Submitted by unanimous action of the branch on October 2, 2005.
2) Resolved that the successor to Joseph Smith, Jr., Joseph Smith III, Frederick M. Smith, Israel A. Smith, W. Wallace Smith, and Wallace B. Smith, as the Presiding High Priest in the Melchisedec Priesthood must of necessity be Jesus Christ whose right it is to preside at His coming or the seed of Joseph Smith, Jr., in fulfillment of the law and promises of God (Doc. & Cov. 68:2g; 83:2e; 84:3a; 104:18-27; 107:18; 124:7; 130:9; GCR #2, #23, #24, #38, #39, #153, #754; CH 3:200-201, 208, 209; 8:359-366).
3) Resolved that no person can legally lay claim to the office of President of the Melchisedec Priesthood without consideration of five steps (CH 8:360-362):
The right of the incumbent to name his successor. The recognition of the law of lineal descent [from father to son, Doc. & Cov. 104:18]. The need of revelatory authentication [to substantiate his call]. The voice of the church as expressed in free assembly by democratic vote. The solemn setting apart of the candidate by the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. 4) Resolved that we believe that the Church of Jesus Christ, organized on April 6, 1830, and continued in the Reorganization on April 6, 1860, exists wherever six or more saints in good standing are organized according to the pattern in the Doctrine & Covenants, Articles of Incorporation of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (1872), and A Manual of Practice and Rules of Order and Debate for Deliberative Assemblies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1876, 1891, 1904).
5) Resolved that it is the duty of the saints to turn their hearts and their faces towards Zion and supplicate the Lord for such deliverance and it is the duty of the elders, priests, teachers, and deacons of the church to cry repentance and remission of sins to this generation, through obedience to the gospel as revealed in the Holy Scriptures (Inspired Version), the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants and not to faint in the discharge of their duty.
6) Resolved that this conference endorse those revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants brought through Joseph Smith, Jr, and Joseph Smith III and all subsequent revelations in harmony therewith.
7) Resolved that the Credentials Committee of the Conference of Restoration Branches shall adopt rules to provide ex officio status with voice and vote to all members of the Melchisedec priesthood.
8) Resolved that this conference encourage the organization of districts by branches in close proximity to each other "for their mutual improvement and for the permanent organization and direction of the local ministry" (Rules of Order & Debate, 1891, pp10-15; Doc. & Cov. 118:1c) and that these permanent organizations consist of priesthood quorums of elders, priests, teachers and deacons as given in Doctrine & Covenants 104:38-41
9) Resolved that a conference of restoration branches be organized for the first week in April, 2006, for all branches and districts of the church.
