 A moment with your Mission Centre President, by Shannon McAdam - Canada West Mission Centre Co-President I hope you are all finding some sabbath rest during these summer months. As we turn towards fall it is time to start looking at some of the topics that will come before us at Mission Centre Conference and beyond. If you attended one of our information sessions at Samish Reunion or Hills of Peace Family Camp you have already heard about the draft policy that is being proposed to address questions around Priesthood members and marriage-like relationships. We’ve already been on a long journey with this topic in Canada, so for some people this conversation will be one you are familiar with, for others, it may be brand new. For background, at World Conference 2023 the Council of 12 Apostles proposed legislation (WCR 1327), to rescind a previous resolution on marriage from 1984 (WCR 1182) and give Apostles responsibility for creating new culturally specific policies around marriage. The guideposts for ethical relationships that WCR 1327 is based on come from Doctrine and Covenants 164. Our Apostle for Canada, Art Smith, connected with leaders across Canada starting last year to draft a potential policy. Art is committed to a process of common consent as we move forward together. With the help of Joan Thompson, Canadian leaders have come up with a draft policy. Our next step is to share the draft and hear your feedback, which has already begun at camps and reunions across Canada. This fall, after both mission centres have had time for discussion, we will have a period of online polling where all members in Canada will have the opportunity to show their level of support on a scale, not as a yes/no vote. If there is 80% or higher support, Art will move our policy to the next step by taking it to the Council of Twelve, and then if it is approved there, to the First Presidency for review. If all approve, then it will become our new policy for Canada. Our draft is a non-prescriptive policy that does not try to cover every type of relationship question. One of my thoughts is that this type of policy doesn’t make things easier, but it does allow for more sensitivity to individual situations. It will require us to have open dialogue and mutual discernment around what kinds of situations do and don’t impact a person’s ability to provide priesthood ministry. There are a lot of background documents that have led to the creation of our draft, including those I’ve referenced above. We will link the draft policy and other documents here. It’s not our intention to overwhelm you with information, but to provide you with background to help your own discernment and aid in discussions you may have. Please share your questions and thoughts with us via email, including what kinds of conversations you’d like to have – large groups? Small groups? We want you to feel included in this process and appreciate all feedback you have to offer. 
6 Comments
Ryan Levitt
8/15/2024 04:53:11 pm
I support the proposed policy unequivocally.
Marian Thompson
9/1/2024 11:36:24 am
I think it’s important to have both large and small group discussion opportunities. Some people don’t feel comfortable with one or the other. I also think it’s important to establish a climate where people can feel they can express their feelings/opinion without fear of being judged. Also following a procedure of alternating between support and non support speakers at discussions would help.
Ron &Marilyn Richea
11/9/2024 05:59:31 pm
We support all polices. And it’s about time.
Ron & Marilyn Richea
11/9/2024 06:02:00 pm
We support all polices.
Rex Smith
11/13/2024 09:37:37 am
Yes, I support all policies
Angela Goetz (josephine)
11/18/2024 11:20:51 pm
I fully support, this revision. The existing policy does not include all or align with "all are welcome" the revised poli Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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