SECTION
156
President
Wallace B. Smith submitted the following document to the quorums,
councils, and orders of the church, and to the World Conference,
convened at Independence, Missouri, on April 3, 1984. Major aspects
of the document centered in (1) the release of Apostle Charles D.
Neff and the call of Geoffrey F. Spencer to the Council of Twelve,
(2) the purposes of the temple in the Center Place, (3) analysis and
fuller comprehension of priesthood calling and commitment to servant
ministries, (4) opening the way for the full participation of the
church’s women in relation to those ministries, including
priesthood, and (5) a reemphasis of the vital role of every member in
bringing to pass the cause of Zion. The World Conference on April 5,
1984, voted acceptance of the document as God’s will for the
church, and provided for its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
President
Smith included the following statement as an introduction to the
document:
“As
I have continued to seek for greater understanding of the divine will
in my role as prophet of the church, the burdens of that office have
not become easier. In seeking to address some of the difficult and
potentially divisive issues facing the church today, I have found
myself spending much time in prayer and fasting, importuning the
Spirit on behalf of the church.
“Because
of the nature of that which I am now presenting, I have sought over
and over for confirmation. Each time the message has been impressed
upon me again, consistently and steadily. Therefore, I can do no
other than to bring what I have received, in all humility, and leave
it in your hands, believing with full assurance that it does truly
represent the mind and will of God.”
To
the Councils, Quorums, and Orders of the Church, to the World
Conference, and to the Church:
1. It
is my will that Charles D. Neff be released from the Council of
Twelve Apostles. His long association with the developing national
churches, beginning with the Orient field in 1960, has been a great
blessing to the church. Likewise, his leadership in the council,
especially in regard to field organization and structure, has been of
particular value in a time of expanding witness of my gospel. Now, in
order to pursue his continuing interest in human and community
development in emerging countries, he should be allowed to retire and
be afforded the honor of superannuation.
2. To
fill the vacancy in the Quorum of Twelve, Geoffrey F. Spencer is
called to be an apostle in my church. In this office and calling his
strong pastoral sense and unique ministerial gifts will enrich the
church, and he should be ordained without delay.
The
Spirit prompts me to say further by way of guidance to the church:
3. My
servants have been diligent in the work of planning for the building
of my temple in the Center Place. Let this work continue at an
accelerated rate, according to the instructions already given, for
there is great need of the spiritual awakening that will be
engendered by the ministries experienced within its walls.
4a.
Indeed, these ministries shall be the means of great blessing for
you, my people, if you will heed the counsel of my servants of the
First Presidency who are rightly charged with the responsibility of
developing the specific details of these ministries.
4b.
The priesthood offices already provided for in my church have always
had the potential of supplying these blessings. Some of their
functions, however, will be expanded and given additional meaning as
the purposes of temple ministries are revealed more fully.
5a.
The temple shall be dedicated to the pursuit of peace. It shall be
for reconciliation and for healing of the spirit.
5b. It
shall also be for a strengthening of faith and preparation for
witness.
5c. By
its ministries an attitude of wholeness of body, mind, and spirit as
a desirable end toward which to strive will be fostered.
5d. It
shall be the means for providing leadership education for priesthood
and member.
5e.
And it shall be a place in which the essential meaning of the
Restoration as healing and redeeming agent is given new life and
understanding, inspired by the life and witness of the Redeemer of
the world.
6.
Therefore, let the work of planning go forward, and let the resources
be gathered in, that the building of my temple may be an ensign to
the world of the breadth and depth of the devotion of the Saints.
The
following is also presented as the voice of the Spirit:
7a.
Hear, O my people, regarding my holy priesthood. The power of this
priesthood was placed in your midst from the earliest days of the
rise of this work for the blessing and salvation of humanity.
7b.
There have been priesthood members over the years, however, who have
misunderstood the purpose of their calling. Succumbing to pride, some
have used it for personal aggrandizement.
7c.
Others, through disinterest or lack of diligence, have failed to
magnify their calling or have become inactive.
7d.
When this has happened, the church has experienced a loss of
spiritual power, and the entire priesthood structure has been
diminished.
8a. It
is my will that my priesthood be made up of those who have an abiding
faith and desire to serve me with all their hearts, in humility and
with great devotion.
8b.
Therefore, where there are those who are not now functioning in their
priesthood, let inquiry be made by the proper administrative
officers, according to the provisions of the law, to determine the
continuing nature of their commitment.
9a. I
have heard the prayers of many, including my servant the prophet, as
they have sought to know my will in regard to the question of who
shall be called to share the burdens and responsibilities of
priesthood in my church.
9b. I
say to you now, as I have said in the past, that all are called
according to the gifts which have been given them. This applies to
priesthood as well as to any other aspects of the work.
9c.
Therefore, do not wonder that some women of the church are being
called to priesthood responsibilities. This is in harmony with my
will and where these calls are made known to my servants, they may be
processed according to administrative procedures and provisions of
the law.
9d.
Nevertheless, in the ordaining of women to priesthood, let this be
done with all deliberateness. Before the actual laying on of hands
takes place, let specific guidelines and instructions be provided by
the spiritual authorities, that all may be done in order.
10.
Remember, in many places there is still much uncertainty and
misunderstanding regarding the principles of calling and giftedness.
There are persons whose burden in this regard will require that
considerable labor and ministerial support be provided. This should
be extended with prayer and tenderness of feeling, that all may be
blessed with the full power of my reconciling Spirit.
11a.
Dear Saints, have courage for the task which is yours in bringing to
pass the cause of Zion. Prepare yourselves through much study and
earnest prayer.
11b.
Then, as you go forth to witness of my love and my concern for all
persons, you will know the joy which comes from devoting yourselves
completely to the work of the kingdom. To this end will my Spirit be
with you. Amen.
Wallace
B. Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
3, 1984
