KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That we, the undersigned for the purpose of forming a body corporate under the laws of Texas relating to religious and benevolent associations, have entered into the following Agreement:
Article 1 – Name. The name of this religious organization is the Fort Worth Restoration Branch.
Article 2 – Location. The first principle office of the organization is located in the city of Fort Worth, in the county of Tarrant, in the state of Texas. The first principle officer and registered agent of this religious organization or association is:
(Name) Walter R. Garrett (Street) 4808 Lamond Ct.
(City) Ft. Worth (State) Texas (Zip) 76117
Article 3 – Duration. The duration of this organization is perpetual.
Article 4 – Purpose. This religious organization or association (hereafter called the Branch) is organized exclusively for religious reasons, and its purpose is to provide religious worship services and related religious activities for members of the organization and other interested persons. This also includes, but is not limited to, the conducting of religious educational activities, publishing of religious literature, sustaining of missionaries, and providing assistance to the poor and needy.
Article 5 – Nature of the Organization. The purpose of the Branch is to preserve and practice the original doctrines and methods of worship of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). Notwithstanding this provision, this Branch is entirely separate from, and independent of, the said RLDS Church and all its officers whatsoever. The Branch consists of individuals who consider themselves to be loyal members of said RLDS Church (even though they may not be considered such by the current hierarchy of said church). The Branch is a religious organization which is not to be considered a separate denomination or church, but is rather to be considered a "religious organization" as mentioned in Texas Business Corporation Act, article 9.14A. And the Branch is also an independent religious organization which reserves the right to affiliate with or withdraw from other religious organizations.
Article 6 – Powers. This Branch has all the powers of a religious organization or church under the Revised Statutes of Texas, including the right to ordain ministers and certify marriage contracts. It has all the rights of an organization which is formed exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, including such purposes as the making of distributions to organizations that qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and with the specific purposes named and listed in the articles found in this agreement. However:
A. No part of the net earnings of this Branch shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members trustees, officers, directors, or other private persons (except the care of the worthy poor), and except the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes above expressed;
B. No substantial part of the activities of the Branch shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except minimal activities upon issues of public morals), and the association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office;
C. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Branch shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by:
1. An organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law);
2. An organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 1700(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law);
3. Engage in any act of "self-dealing," as defined in section 4941(d) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, which would give rise to any liability for the tax imposed by section 4941(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code;
4. Retain any "excess business holdings" as defined in section 4943(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, which would give rise to any liability for the tax imposed by section 4943(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code;
5. Make any investment which would jeopardize the carrying out of any of its exempt purposes, within the meaning of section 4944 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, so as to give rise to any liability for the tax imposed by section 4944(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code; or
6. Make any "taxable expenditures," as defined in section 4945(d) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, which would give rise to any liability for the tax imposed by section 4945(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
D. The Branch shall distribute, for the purposes herein expressed, for each taxable year, amounts at least sufficient to avoid liability for the tax imposed by section 4942(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Article 7 – Beliefs or Doctrines. The Branch accepts the Inspired Version of the Holy Scriptures, the 1908 Authorized Edition of the Book of Mormon, and sections 1 through 144 of the Doctrine and Covenants to be Scriptures, and to be the official law of the organization. The Branch accepts the Epitome of Faith and the original teachings of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which were published before 1958, to be the beliefs of the Branch. It also accepts, and has approved, the Restorationist Principles to be part of its beliefs.
Article 8 – Membership. Membership in this Branch shall consist of those persons whose names are affixed hereto, and such other persons who become members in such manner as may be provided by the Bylaws of the Branch. No person shall be a member of this Branch unless he or she is, or considers himself or herself to be, a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), and who has been baptized and confirmed a member of said RLDS Church by a minister whose authority is recognized by the Branch. All are welcome to attend the Branch's services, but only members of the Ft. Worth Restoration Branch (or those who are baptized in the Branch) shall have voting rights in the Branch. Candidates for membership shall have the Branch principles and Bylaws presented to them by the priesthood and, upon signed acceptance of the Articles of Agreement, he or she will become members of the Branch.
Article 9 – Officers. The first officers of this Branch are a branch president, secretary, and treasurer — who shall be elected by the membership to hold office in the manner prescribed in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Bylaws of the Branch. Other officers shall also be elected or appointed in the manner prescribed in the Doctrine and Covenants and Bylaws, or as found in the RLDS Church prior to 1958. In addition, still other officers may be chosen, provided their functions are not contrary to the Scriptures and practices of the RLDS Church before that time.
The Branch shall authorize the ordination of men to the priesthood as provided in the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 17), and shall issue priesthood licenses to said men, which shall certify them to be members of the priesthood and ministers of the gospel. Priesthood calls must come from God (Hebrews 5:4) and be received through the branch president (see Priesthood Manual, 1957, p.18). The branch shall not have the power to authorize the ordination of men to offices higher than the office of elder (see D&C 17:17). At such time that the priesthood quorums will be once again organized and become operative, the Branch shall seek ways, according to the mind and will of God, to integrate existing ordination procedures into the Priesthood quorum structure.
Article 10 – Governing Body. All power and authority of the Branch is vested in the membership of the Branch in business meetings assembled. While it is the duty of the branch president and other officers to provide leadership, the membership has the right to direct them in their duties, override their decisions, and/or replace them at any time. The Branch shall conduct regular and special business meetings as desired, wherein all decisions shall be made by vote.
Normally the branch president or one of his counselors shall preside over the Branch business meetings, but the membership has the right to elect another to preside. Members of the Branch may call, by majority vote, business meetings without the consent of the branch president (after giving him notification).
Article 11 – Dissolution. In the event of the dissolution of the Branch, the officers shall (by and with the consent of the membership), after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the organization, dispose of all the assets of the Branch, exclusively for the original and religious purposes of the organization, to such organization or organizations which are organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, and/or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as the officers and membership shall determine.
Article 12 – Certification. These Articles of Agreement were approved by the membership by vote in a charter business meeting assembled for this purpose on this, the seventh day of August, 1988.
Article 13 – Branch Charter. This certifies that an official charter was signed by those who were members of the Branch at the time that the above Articles of Agreement were adopted, and that said charter was declared a permanent document of the Branch.
