- Formerly (1852–69):
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- (1869–2001):
- Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- Key People:
- Joseph Smith, III
- Related Topics:
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- stake
Community of Christ
-
What is the Community of Christ?
The Community of Christ is an American church that asserts it is the continuation of the church Joseph Smith founded in 1830. With its headquarters in Independence, Missouri, the church has approximately 250,000 members across 50 countries. After Smith's death in 1844, the church divided. Some members, who rejected Brigham Young's leadership, reorganized in 1852 under the original church name. In 1869, they added the word "Reorganized" to the title and, in 2001, changed the name to Community of Christ. The Community of Christ does not accept the term Mormon because of its association with polygamy, a practice the Community of Christ rejects.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Where did the Community of Christ originate?
The Community of Christ originated from a faction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in Fayette, Seneca county, New York.
After Smith's death in 1844, the church divided, with some members rejecting Brigham Young's leadership. This group reorganized in 1852 in Beloit, Wisconsin, calling themselves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, adding "Reorganized" in 1869. Joseph Smith III, son of the founder, became president in 1860. In 2001, the church changed its name to Community of Christ, with its headquarters in Independence, Missouri.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some basic beliefs of the Community of Christ?
The Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, sees itself as the continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. The Community of Christ's beliefs are based on the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. They believe in the Trinity, and that after death, reward or punishment is given depending on conduct in life. They anticipate Christ's return and a millennial reign. This church rejects polygamy, which they claim was started by Brigham Young. The World Conference meets biennially and is the supreme legislative body of the church.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How is the Community of Christ different from other churches?
The Community of Christ distinguishes itself from other churches through its history and core beliefs. It asserts to be the continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, but unlike The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the Community of Christ rejects polygamy, which they claim was introduced by Brigham Young. The Community of Christ also never adopted temple ceremonies, proxy baptisms, and other traditions that differentiate Mormonism from Christianity, and it maintains a largely orthodox Christian identity. Its beliefs are rooted in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are important practices or rituals in the Community of Christ?
The Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, distinguishes itself through several practices and beliefs. Unlike The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Community of Christ rejects baptism for the dead and tithing, and has never practiced polygamy or sealing for the afterlife.
Their belief system is rooted in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants, which contains revelations accepted by the church general conference. The church emphasizes the Trinity, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands, mirroring New Testament practices. They also believe in the continuity of divine revelation and stewardship in personal and economic life.
5 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How does the Community of Christ help people in their communities today?
The Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, emphasizes service to others and stewardship in personal and economic life. Like other Christian communities, it responds to issues of property, poverty, and the poor through personal charity and broader efforts for social change to redistribute wealth and address unjust structures in society.
While Church World Service is a relief and rehabilitation agency with worldwide reach, it is associated with the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., not the Community of Christ.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Community of Christ, church that claims to be the legal continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith at Fayette in Seneca county, New York, in 1830. World headquarters are in Independence, Missouri. In the early 21st century the church’s members numbered about 250,000, with congregations in some 50 countries in addition to the United States and Canada. The Community of Christ does not accept the appellation Mormon because of the association with polygamy.
After Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, the church that he founded broke into factions following various leaders. Rejecting the leadership of Brigham Young, who led the majority group to Utah, a number of the members reorganized under the original name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1852. The word Reorganized was added to the title in 1869. This group held that the son of the founder had been designated his successor; Joseph Smith III accepted the leadership of this body in 1860 and was elected president. He was succeeded by his sons, and all of the successors were descendants of the founder until the seventh president, W. Grant McMurray, assumed the post in 1996. In 2001 the church changed its name to Community of Christ.
The Community of Christ rejects the doctrine of polygamy and denies that it was taught and practiced by Joseph Smith. It claims that polygamy was introduced by Brigham Young and his associates and that the revelation on polygamy, which was made public in 1852 by Young in Utah and attributed to Smith, was not in harmony with the original tenets of the church or with the teachings and practices of Smith.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
Its system of belief is based upon the teachings of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of revelations received by the prophets of the Community of Christ and accepted by the vote of the general conference.
The Community of Christ believes in the Trinity; the doctrines of faith in God, repentance of sin, baptism by immersion, laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead; graded reward or punishment after death according to conduct in this life; the continuity of divine revelation and the open canon of scripture; the restoration of Christ’s church on the New Testament pattern; and the doctrine of stewardship in personal and economic life. It anticipates the return of Christ and a millennial reign.
Local congregations are grouped for administrative purposes into two forms of area organizations, districts and stakes. The district organization ties the individual congregations of an area into a fellowship presided over by officers elected at district conferences. The stake organization consists of a number of congregations administered by a central authority, the stake presidency, stake bishopric, and stake high council. Business of the stake is conducted in conferences at which all members of the stake have a right to vote.
The World Conference, which meets biennially in Independence, is the supreme legislative body of the church, and all general administrative officers, including those of the first presidency, must receive its endorsement. The presiding bishop, who is in charge of the exchequer of the church, presents his financial report to the conference for endorsement and for appropriations. Missions are sponsored in various parts of the world.
The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.
SUBSCRIBE
The church conducts Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Temple School, a ministerial and leadership seminary, is in Independence.