Community of Christ

The Community of Christ is an international Christian denomination and the second-largest group in the Latter Day Saint movement. It was known for over a century as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or RLDS).^[1]

The Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, US.

The church has about 250,000 members in 1,100 congregations in 59 countries.^[2] It traces its beginning to the Church of Christ started by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830.^[3] After Joseph Smith's death in 1844, his eldest son, Joseph Smith III, became the leader of this church on April 6, 1860.^[4]

The Community of Christ is part of the Restorationist tradition. Its beliefs and practices are similar in many ways to other mainline Protestant churches. However, it also has some unique beliefs, such as having a prophet as its leader, a priesthood for members, and using the Book of Mormon and its own Doctrine and Covenants as scripture.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

The church is different from the larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in important ways. It is more theologically liberal, believes in a traditional triune God, and does not focus on unique LDS teachings like exaltation. The church says it is non-creedal, meaning it accepts people with a wide range of personal beliefs. Its teachings emphasize that "all are called" as "persons of worth" to "share the peace of Christ".^[1]

Worship in the Community of Christ is often based on scripture readings from a shared Christian calendar called the Revised Common Lectionary.^[10] From its headquarters in Independence, Missouri, the church focuses on evangelism, peace and justice work, youth ministries, and outreach.^[11]

History

The Community of Christ sees itself as the continuation of the original church started by Joseph Smith in 1830. It believes that Joseph Smith III, Smith's eldest son, was the rightful leader to follow his father.^[12] The church was formally reorganized on April 6, 1860, in Amboy, Illinois. It was meant to be a mainstream alternative to other Latter Day Saint groups that formed after Joseph Smith's death. For a long time, it was a Midwestern-based church and was strongly opposed to plural marriage.

The church considers the years 1830 to 1844 as its early history. The period from 1844 (when Joseph Smith died) to 1860 is seen as a time of disorganization. Since 1860, the Community of Christ's beliefs and practices have developed separately from other Latter Day Saint churches.^[13]

Changes in beliefs and practices

During the 1900s, the church changed, moving its beliefs closer to those of mainline Protestant Christianity.^[14] Starting in the 1960s, the church's missionary work outside North America caused it to re-think and slowly change some of its traditional practices and beliefs.^[7][15]

In 1984, a revelation from church president Wallace B. Smith called for the building of the Independence Temple and for the ordination of women to the priesthood.^[16][17] The next president, W. Grant McMurray, was the first church president who was not a direct descendant of Joseph Smith. This was controversial for some members.^[18]

These changes led some members to leave and form new churches. Between the mid-1960s and late 1990s, the number of new baptisms in the U.S. fell by one-third.^[19] However, the church has grown in other parts of the world, and in recent years, it has attracted some former members of the LDS Church.^[20]

The church's mission is "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love and peace." Its vision is "to become a worldwide church dedicated to the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit."^[21]

Sites

The church's headquarters is at the Independence Temple in Independence, Missouri. It also owns historic sites in Lamoni, Iowa, and Plano, Illinois.

For over a century, the church owned the Kirtland Temple.^[22] On March 5, 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the Kirtland Temple and several other historic sites in Nauvoo, Illinois.^[23]

The church also sponsors Graceland University, which has campuses in Lamoni and Independence.

Teachings and practices

The Community of Christ does not have an official religious creed that all members must believe. It states that "perception of truth is always qualified by human nature and experience."^[1] Instead, it offers a set of "generally accepted beliefs." As a former church president said, the church provides "light for the way as well as space for the personal faith journey."^[24]

After Joseph Smith's death, the Community of Christ became a "new creation" that was also an "extension... of the original" church.^[25] In the 20th century, it became more like other mainline Protestant churches.^[26]

The church generally accepts the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The concept of Zion is important and is tied to the church's focus on peace and justice. The church also believes in ongoing prophetic leadership and has an open canon of scripture, meaning new revelations can be added to its Doctrine and Covenants.

God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

The Community of Christ teaches that there is one God who is a "community of three persons": Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is seen as both Savior and as a "living expression of God" who lived, died, and was resurrected. The Holy Spirit is described as the "continuing presence of God in the world."^[1]

Peace

The pursuit of peace is a central theme for the church. The Independence Temple was "dedicated to the pursuit of peace".^[27] Every day at 1 p.m., a Daily Prayer for Peace is held in the temple. The church also gives out an annual Community of Christ International Peace Award. Its official vision includes a call to "peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit."^[1]

Concept of Zion

The idea of Zion has changed over time. It was once seen as a physical city, the New Jerusalem, in Independence, Missouri. Today, it is understood more as a way of living—a commitment to building Christ-centered communities everywhere.^[1]

Priesthood

About one in ten members hold an office in the church's priesthood. Most of these ministers are not paid for their church work. In 1984, the church decided that women could be ordained to the priesthood.^[28]

Sacraments

The church has eight sacraments (or ordinances):^[29] baptism, confirmation, blessing of children, The Lord's Supper, marriage, ministration to the sick, ordination, and Evangelist's Blessing.

Scripture

The Community of Christ sees Jesus Christ as the living Word of God.^[30] It uses the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture. The church believes scripture should be "reasonably interpreted and faithfully applied."^[31]

Bible

The church encourages the use of modern Bible translations. It also publishes the Inspired Version of the Bible, which was started by Joseph Smith. The church does not view the Bible as inerrant (without error) and encourages members to understand its historical context.^[32]

Book of Mormon

A reprint of the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon.

The Community of Christ publishes two versions of the Book of Mormon and views it as an "additional witness" of Jesus Christ. However, the church does not require its members to have a specific belief about the book. In 2007, the church president stated that "belief in the Book of Mormon is not to be used as a test of fellowship or membership in the church."^[33]

The church's official stance is:^[34]

With other Christians, we affirm the Bible as the foundational scripture for the church. In addition, the Community of Christ uses the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture.

Doctrine and Covenants

The Community of Christ's version of the Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations from its prophet-presidents and is considered an open canon, meaning new sections can be added.

Ecumenism and interfaith activities

The Community of Christ works to build relationships with other Christian churches. It is a member of the National Council of Churches^[35] and has been in dialogue with the World Council of Churches. The church has practiced open communion (allowing all Christians to take part) since 1994.^[36]

Women's participation

Women have been able to serve in the priesthood since 1984. In 1998, Gail E. Mengel and Linda L. Booth became the first women apostles.^[37] In 2007, Becky L. Savage became the first woman in the First Presidency.^[38] In 2016, Stassi D. Cramm became the first woman presiding bishop,^[39] and Jane M. Gardner became the first female presiding evangelist.^[39] On June 1, 2025, Cramm was ordained as the church's ninth prophet-president, the first woman to hold this office.^[40][41]

LGBTQ participation

The church is accepting of same-sex relationships. Its policies on ordination and marriage for LGBTQ members have changed over time.

In the early 2000s, the church allowed the ordination of sexually active gay and lesbian members. This was later paused, but those who were ordained were allowed to keep their positions.^[42]

Since 2012, church conferences in Canada, Australia, the United States, and Great Britain have recommended allowing same-sex marriages and ordination for people in committed same-sex relationships. The church's leadership has approved these policy changes for each of these regions.^[43]

A request from Australia to permit same-sex marriages was approved in 2017.^[44]

Organization and structure

The church is led by a First Presidency (a president and two counselors). The president is considered a prophet. A Council of Twelve Apostles oversees the church's ministry, and a Presiding Bishopric handles financial matters.

Every three years, delegates from around the world meet for a World Conference to vote on church business.

The church has 250,000 members in 1,100 congregations in 59 countries.^[2] More than half of the active members speak a primary language other than English.^[45]

Criticisms

Some scholars have described the church as "adrift," feeling it is not distinctively Mormon enough but also not fully mainstream Protestant.^[46] One historian argued that the church's focus on change has led to a kind of "historical amnesia," creating a new organization focused on community and shared mission but disconnected from its past.^[47]