Calling nuclear weapons "a grave threat to the Earth and existence of life," the 2013 World Conference authorized WC1303 Action toward Nuclear Weapons Abolition.

But what action? How can members or congregations foster "the responsible reduction and eventual eradication of nuclear weapons?"

The Community of Christ Peace and Justice and Earth Stewardship teams have a specific suggestion:

Urge your municipality to register as a Mayors for Peace (MFP) city.

About Mayors for Peace

More than 6,200 cities in 160 countries have joined Mayors for Peace in the goal of "lasting world peace through inter-city solidarity around the globe, promoting efforts to raise public consciousness of the need to abolish nuclear weapons."

Representing more than three-quarters of a billion people, Mayors for Peace cities include more than half of the world’s most populous communities and capitals. They’re joined in an effort to protect citizens from nuclear war.

The Vision 2020 campaign of Mayors for Peace has four action goals:

Immediately "de-alert" all nuclear weapons.

Immediately start substantive negotiations toward a universal nuclear-weapons convention.

Conclude a convention by 2015, comprehensively banning manufacture, possession, and use of nuclear weapons.

Destroy all nuclear weapons by 2020.

Mayors for Peace and the church became linked in 2013, when the Community of Christ International Peace Award was presented to Tadatoshi Akiba, former MFP president and mayor of Hiroshima, Japan. For its peace efforts during Akiba’s tenure, MFP received the 2004 World Citizenship Award of Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

Join Mayors for Peace

So how can an individual or congregation further MFP’s efforts? Becoming a member is straightforward. Obtain a letter from your mayor or city council, stating that your city supports the Program to Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons and would like to join Mayors for Peace. Mail the letter to Mayors for Peace Secretariat 1-5 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0811 Japan. A certificate of membership will be sent by return mail. There are no fees or costs.

Contact

Mayors for Peace represents a significant grassroots effort by citizens worldwide to urge governments toward a nuclear-weapons-free world. To report your city’s MFP registration or obtain further information, e-mail the Peace and Justice Team.

WCR 1303 Action toward Nuclear-weapons Abolition

(Adopted April 16, 2013)



Whereas, Pursuit of Peace (Shalom), Sacredness of Creation, and Responsible Choices are three of the identified Enduring Principles, and Pursue Peace on Earth and Abolish Poverty, End Suffering are two of the identified Mission Initiatives of the church; and



Whereas, Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b urges, “Above all else, strive to be faithful to God’s vision of the peaceable kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue Peace”; and



Whereas, The potential for mass destruction of humanity and poisoning of air, water, land, and Earth’s living creatures make the existence of nuclear weapons a moral as well as political concern; and



Whereas, Many within the international community, including security and defense experts, politicians, diplomats, and members of the military want a decrease in nuclear weapons, yet the access of such weapons continues to spread, increasing the danger of their use by accident or design; now, therefore, be it



Resolved, That Community of Christ affirms nuclear weapons pose a grave threat to the Earth and existence of life; and be it further



Resolved, That Community of Christ join the global voices seeking to halt nuclear weapons production, support prudent action to minimize the threat or use of nuclear weapons, and urge renewed efforts toward eradication; and be it further



Resolved, That wherever practical, Community of Christ convey its support for the responsible reduction and eventual eradication of nuclear weapons, urging policy to that end by all nations; and be it further



Resolved, That the Peace and Justice and Earth Stewardship teams be empowered and supported in

sharing resources for education and dialogue that advance awareness of toxicity to the Earth, encouraging and supporting membership action on non-proliferation and elimination of nuclear weapons; encouraging justice, peace and reconciliation training, and activities that educate concerning the complexities of nuclear disarmament and international strategic deterrence issues; networking across the church, including access to the church’s website, periodicals, and social media; and connecting and encouraging the many individuals of Community of Christ and its affiliates such as PeacePathways, as well as advocates throughout the world committed to a peaceful, safe, and secure, nuclear weapons-free world; and be it further

Resolved, That progress toward these aims together with recommendations for further initiatives be reported to the 2016 World Conference.

