LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 145

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MERCY
Whereas, Reverend Matthew Harrison, the President of the
LCMS, has already “made the good confession before Caesar,” having testified before the Congress of the United States regarding the
HHS mandate on February 16, 2012 (recordings of his testimony are
available at www.lcms.org/hhsmandate); and
Whereas, The official statement from the Office of the President
of the LCMS, dated February 14, 2012, states in part,
We remain opposed to this mandate because it runs counter to the
biblical truth of the sanctity of human life. We are committed to working
to ensure that we remain free to practice the teachings of our faith, that
our religious rights are not violated, and that our rights of conscience are
retained. Freedom of religion extends beyond the practice of our faith
in houses of worship. We must be free to put our faith into action in the
public square, and, in response to Christ’s call, demonstrate His mercy
through our love and compassion for all people according to the clear
mandate of Holy Scripture.
The government has overstepped its bounds. This controversy is not
merely about “birth control” and the Catholic Church’s views about it.
It’s about mandating that we provide medications which kill life in the
womb. And moreover and perhaps even more ominous, consciences and
rights of its citizens. We can no longer expect a favored position for
Christianity in this country. But we can, as citizens of this great nation,
fight for constitutional sanity against secularizing forces. As we have
vividly experienced in discriminatory state legislation with respect to
homosexual adoption, we, and our institutions (and those of other religious citizens of good will), are being robbed of the right to the free exercise of religion absent government intrusion or threat. The next assault
will come upon church-related retirement facilities. How much longer
will it be legal in this country to believe and act according to the dictates
of biblical and creedal Christianity?
Jesus bids us, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and
to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). We will pray for and
support our government where we can, but our consciences and lives
belong to God.

(The full text of this statement and the previous February 3, 2012,
statement from Rev. Harrison’s office can be found at www.lcms.org/
hhsmandate); and
Whereas, The LCMS Council of Presidents, in a resolution dated
February 2, 2012, resolved:
Resolved, that the Council of Presidents of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod stands with President Matthew Harrison in full support
of his testimony before the Congressional Committee on Government
Oversight and Reform; and be it finally
Resolved, that the Council of Presidents commends to the Synod
President Harrison’s statements in defense of religious liberty and freedom of conscience;

Therefore be it
Resolved, That in accord with the resolution of the COP of
the LCMS, the South Dakota District of the LCMS also “stands
with President Matthew Harrison in full support of his testimony
before the Congressional Committee on Government Oversight and
Reform” and requests our district president to issue a letter of thanks
to President Harrison on behalf of the congregations of the South
Dakota District for his bold confession of the faith before Caesar;
and be it further
Resolved, That the South Dakota District of the LCMS express
clearly its opposition to the HHS mandate in question; and be it further
Resolved, That the president of the South Dakota District of the
LCMS formally petition the congressional delegation from South
Dakota to oppose this mandate and to introduce and/or support legislation prohibiting it; and be it further
Resolved, That the laity and church workers of the congregations
of the South Dakota District be encouraged to express their opposition

145

to this mandate by requesting their congressional representatives and
other government office-holders to use all lawful means available to
oppose and/or overturn this mandate; and be it further
Resolved, That, in accord with 1 Timothy 2:1–2, all members and
church workers of the congregations of the South Dakota District
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to pray
for President Obama, Governor Daugaard, and all the elected and
appointed officials of our government; and be it further
Resolved, That, as we live in perilous times, the prince of darkness unleashing his full fury against the Church as the return of our
Lord Jesus Christ in glory grows nearer, while we expect even greater
opposition and persecution for the Church, we thank the Lord of the
Church for the victory He has already given us over all that would
separate us from His love (Rom. 8:35–39) and pray the Lord’s continued blessing on His church militant; and be it finally
Resolved, That following the adoption of this resolution, the
assembly will rise and sing “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
(LSB 655).
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit of sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known
For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we
May sing Your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

Notes
1. LCMS Sanctity of Human Life Committee, “Response to Resolution
6-10: Guidance on Contraceptive Methods,” n.d., http://www.lcms.org/
page.aspx?pid=864 (Accessed February 20, 2012), 3; Maureen Condic, “A
Biological Definition of the Human Embryo,” chapter 11 in Persons, Moral
Worth, and Embryos: A Critical Analysis of Pro-Choice Arguments, ed.
Stephan Napier (Springer Science +Business Media, 2011).
2. LCMS Sanctity of Human Life Committee, “Response to Resolution
6-10”; Walter I. Larimore and Joseph B. Stanford, “Postfertilization Effects
of Oral Contraceptives and Their Relationship to Informed Consent,” Arch
Fam Med 9 (February 2000): 126–133 www.polycarp.org/larimore_stanford.pd; Donna J. Harrison and James G. Mitroka, “Defining Reality: The
Potential Role of Pharmacists in Assessing the Impact of Progesterone
Receptor Modulators and Misoprostol in Reproductive Health,” The Annals
of Pharmacotherapy 45 (January 2011), http://www.the annals.com/content/45/1/115.full.pdf+html.

South Dakota District
2-05

To Emphasize Biblical Teaching of Marriage
and Family
Whereas, God instituted marriage as the lifelong union of one
man and one woman as husband and wife (Gen. 2); and
Whereas, God instituted marriage for the procreation of children
(Gen. 1:28), the avoidance of sin (1 Cor. 7:2), and so that man and
woman may find delight in one another (Gen. 2:18); and
Whereas, The institution of marriage is foundational for family
and community; and
2013 Convention Workbook