WHEREAS, In many nations of the world possession of the Bible is a violation of the law; and
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States passed legislation authorizing the President of the United States to designate 1983 as the National Year of the Bible in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures; and
WHEREAS, That renewing our knowledge of, and faith in, God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and as a people; and
WHEREAS, This offers us an unprecedented opportunity to communicate the message of love and peace for a dying world.
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 14-16, 1983, encourage all citizens to acquire, read, and apply the teachings of the Word of God.