Overview
The Community of Christ is a Christian denomination that emerged from the 19th-century Latter Day Saint movement. Established in the Midwestern United States in the decades after the death of its founder, it developed a separate line of leadership centered on Joseph Smith's family rather than the group that followed Brigham Young to Utah. The body adopted the name Community of Christ in 2001; prior to that it was widely known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS).
Beliefs and practices
The Community of Christ combines elements inherited from early Latter Day Saint tradition with theology and practice that many describe as closer to mainline Protestant Christianity. It affirms the Bible and the Book of Mormon and uses a version of the Doctrine and Covenants that contains later revelations accepted by the church. Unlike many other Latter Day Saint groups, the Community of Christ holds a classic understanding of the Trinity, and it affirms that its baptism is a valid Christian sacrament.
Organization and distinctive features
- Leadership: The denomination is led by a President who is understood to be a prophet, seer, and revelator; governance also includes a First Presidency, a Council of Twelve, and other councils and quorums.
- Priesthood and ministry: It retains a priesthood structure but has pursued reforms such as ordaining women to priesthood offices and encouraging lay participation.
- Sacraments and worship: Worship emphasizes sacraments, preaching, music, and community; its practice often resembles mainline Protestant liturgies more than those of other Latter Day Saint groups.
History and development
Following the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, disagreements over succession produced separate bodies within the broader movement. Those who rejected the leadership of Brigham Young remained in the Midwestern United States, particularly in Missouri and surrounding states, and eventually organized under the leadership of Joseph Smith III. Over time legal disputes and negotiations shaped claims to property, records, and manuscript collections; the denomination preserved a significant set of early documents and historical manuscripts important to Latter Day Saint studies.
Temples, mission, and contemporary priorities
The church maintains a notable presence in Independence, Missouri, where a distinctive temple and headquarters are located. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the Community of Christ emphasized peace, reconciliation, social justice, and interfaith engagement. It participates in ecumenical conversations and often frames mission around peacemaking, humanitarian work, and community building rather than proselytizing alone.
Notable distinctions and public perception
Key differences between the Community of Christ and other branches of the Latter Day Saint tradition include its Trinitarian theology, its openness to theological development and scholarly engagement, and its institutional reforms such as the ordination of women. These differences have led many outside observers to place the church closer to historic Protestant denominations in convictions and practice while recognizing its unique restorationist heritage.
Further reading and resources
For introductions to topics connected with the tradition and its history, see resources on the wider Latter Day Saint movement, biographies of Joseph Smith, accounts of the westward migrations led by Brigham Young, and studies of religious life in the Midwestern United States. For denominational materials, official statements and archival descriptions note the church's stance on worship, scripture, and social concerns; state and regional histories often discuss activities in Missouri. Scholarly work on early documents and manuscripts can provide primary-source insight, while general surveys explain its relationship to mainline Protestant traditions and doctrines such as the Trinity and the meaning of baptism within broader Christian practice.