# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S166
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

166 RESOLUTIONS

To Affirm the Sanctity of Life
RESOLUTION 8-10
Overture 8-10 (CW, pp. 399—400)

Wuereas, God created men in His image and gave
them life; and

Wuereas, The world belittles the value of human life
through perverting God’s will by prematurely terminating
life through such acts as indiscriminate abortion,
euthanasia, and the improper use of drugs, tobacco and
alcohol; and

Wuereas, Human life has been dehumanized and
depersonalized for many members of our human family
by racist, sexist, and separatist attitudes, the abuse of
technological developments, and acts of injustice; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Synod rededicate itself to the
treasuring, supporting, and protecting of human life as a
gift of God; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of the Synod witness to
the same not only with words but with deeds, placing the
highest priorities on the needs of people rather than
things; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and World
Relief continue to sensitize Districts and parishes through
workshops, seminars, pastoral conferences, etc., to produce
action.

Action: This resolution died since it failed to
receive action before adjournment.

(In Session 7 the committee deleted “indiscriminate” before
“euthanasia” in the second whereas. The convention amended
the third whereas by inserting “sexist.” A motion was made
and seconded to change the wording of the second whereas to
”...such acts as abortion for reasons other than medical,...”
During the discussion of the amendment a motion was declined
to table Res. 8-10, including its amendments, in favor of Res.
3-23A. Time had expired before action could be taken on the
proposed amendment. Res. 8-10 did not come before the assembly
again for consideration.)

To Deal with the Abortion Question
RESOLUTION 8-11
Overtures 8-09A—C (CW, p. 399)

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court determined in an
interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment that the
State cannot invade the right of privacy, including a
woman’s qualified right to terminate her pregnancy
within the first three months; and

Wuereas, The decision also stated that the State has
legitimate interests in protecting both the pregnant
woman’s health and the potentiality of human life at its
various stages and may regulate and prohibit abortion,
except for therapeutic reasons related to maternal health;
and

Wuenreas, There are members of the Synod who oppose
the ruling of the Supreme Court on abortion and seek to
effect change; and

Wuereas, There are efforts at present by legislators
to bring about a constitutional amendment which denies,
without due process of law, deprivation of life from the
moment of conception; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage those who oppose the
Supreme Court decision to follow and support the
legislative process of constitutional amendment to accom-
plish their aim; and be it further

Resolved, That the church continue to seek the
counsel and guidance of all of Scripture, Law and Gospel,
for a deeper understanding of the meaning and purpose
of human life in many circumstances; and be it finally

Resolved, That the church, under Law and Gospel, be
sensitive to the dilemma of this human situation which
obligates the Christian community to deal pastorally with
persons who have made or are making decisions under
God which bear upon this important and crucial matter.

Action: Withdrawn by the floor committee (4).

To Involve Our Membership in
the Issue of Capital Punishment

RESOLUTION 8-12
Overture 8-08 (CW, p. 399)

Wuereas, Both the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions approve capital punishment by the govern-
ment for just cause (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:12; Lev. 24:17;
Num. 35:21; Deut. 19:11-12; Acts 25:11; Rom. 13:4;
Large Catechism I, 180—81, Tappert, p. 389); and

Wuereas, The 1967 convention of The Lutheran
Church— Missouri Synod declared “that capital punish-
ment is in accord with the Holy Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions”; and

WHEREAS, government in the interest of securing
uniform justice and showing mercy also has the right
to choose not to exercise its power of capital punishment;
and

Wuereas, The implementation of capital punishment
has largely been exercised on the poor, the uneducated,
and the minority groups; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its members to
study the issues involving the question of when, how, and
by what procedures capital punishment is or is not to be
administered; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its members to
pray for those in government who are working with these
problems and implore the grace of God that they might
receive wisdom, insight, and divine guidance in arriving
at a truly God-pleasing decision for the welfare of all
our citizens; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its members to
exercise their rights as citizens to seek a just resolution
of this issue.

Action: This resolution died since it failed to receive
action before adjournment.