Community of Christ

Healing Ministry and Capital Punishment

World Conference Resolution 1273

Adopted April 8, 2000

Whereas, An increasing amount of research clearly documents the ineffectiveness of the use of the death penalty as a viable means to deter violent crime; and

Whereas, Application of the death penalty often discriminates against the poor, minorities, uneducated, and the mentally impaired; and

Whereas, In this century we have seen dramatic examples of the redemptive value of unconditional love, based on the teachings of Jesus (e.g., Gandhi, M.L. King); and

Whereas, A growing number of nations and faith groups including Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, and other traditions have either already rejected or urged extreme caution in using the death penalty as a means of punishment or as a deterrent for violent crime; and

Whereas, As a faith movement we humbly affirm that "one being is as precious in God's sight as the other" (Jacob 2:27); and

Whereas, The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints reaffirms that as disciples we seek to be faithful living expressions of the life and teachings of Jesus; therefore, be it

Resolved, That we stand in opposition to the use of the death penalty; and be it further

Resolved, That as a peace church we seek ways to achieve healing and restorative justice.

Church members are encouraged to work for the abolition of the death penalty in those states and nations that still practice this form of punishment.