Reorganized (RLDS) Church
Community of Christ has 250,000 members found in more than sixty nations. The church has a temple in Independence. Rather than claiming a doctrine revealed by Christ to prophets, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims, Community of Christ states that there is no official church creed that must be accepted by all members. Other differences from the Church of Jesus Christ are a suggestion that God is an entity of spirit, and the godhead is a trinity—three gods in one—as with the Catholic and Protestant faiths. This belief is in direct opposition to the central doctrine revealed by Joseph Smith from the moment he received his first vision, in which he saw two corporeal beings, God the Father and Jesus Christ.
After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, two men, Jason Briggs and Zenos Gurley, both had spiritual experiences which encouraged them to view Joseph Smith III as the future prophet of the restored church. Joseph III was only eleven years old when his father was assassinated. Briggs and Gurley formed a group that decided to wait until Joseph III was old enough to administrate the church. They approached Joseph in 1851. Though he was at first reticent, Joseph eventually accepted the call. Succeeding presidents of the church have mostly been descendants of Joseph Smith, Jr.
In June 2005, Stephen M. Veazey was ordained to the office of prophet/president of the church. He announced his retirement effective at the Community of Christ 2025 World Conference, at which time the membership will vote on the call of Stassi Cramm, the new prophet-president designate.
Book of Mormon
Community of Christ views the Book of Mormon as an additional witness of Jesus Christ and publishes two versions of the book through its official publishing arm, Herald House. The Authorized Edition is based on the original printer's manuscript and the 1837 Second Edition (or Kirtland Edition) of the Book of Mormon. Its content is similar to the Book of Mormon published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the versification is different. Community of Christ also publishes a 1966 "Revised Authorized Edition" which attempts to modernize some of the language.
In 2001, W. Grant McMurray, then president of Community of Christ, reflected on increasing questions about the Book of Mormon: "The proper use of the Book of Mormon as sacred scripture has been under wide discussion in the 1970s and beyond, in part because of long-standing questions about its historicity and in part because of perceived theological inadequacies, including matters of race and ethnicity."
At the 2007 Community of Christ World Conference, President Stephen M. Veazey ruled a resolution to "reaffirm the Book of Mormon as a divinely inspired record" out of order. In so doing he stated that "while the Church affirms the Book of Mormon as scripture, and makes it available for study and use in various languages, we do not attempt to mandate the degree of belief or use. This position is in keeping with our longstanding tradition that belief in the Book of Mormon is not to be used as a test of fellowship or membership in the church."
Doctrine and Covenants
Community of Christ edition of the Doctrine and Covenants is a growing work of scripture containing inspired documents given through the prophet-presidents recognized by Community of Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants contains inspirational Christian messages such as this passage shared by former President, W. Grant McMurray as inspired counsel: "Open your hearts and feel the yearnings of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, despised, fearful, neglected, unloved. Reach out in understanding, clasp their hands, and invite all to share in the blessings of community created in the name of the One who suffered on behalf of all" (Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a)
Property Transfer
On March 5, 2024, "the responsibility and ownership for the Kirtland Temple, several historic buildings in Nauvoo, and various manuscripts and artifacts officially transferred from Community of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an agreed-upon amount. Together, we share an interest in and reverence for these historic sites and items and are committed to preserving them for future generations."[1][2]
Discussions leading to this landmark agreement commenced in June 2021. “This exchange of assets is significant for our church,” said Stephen M. Veazey, president of Community of Christ. “Through funding from increased endowments, Community of Christ will have greater capacity to pursue our mission priorities around the world, including continuing to fulfill the divinely envisioned purposes for our Temple in Independence, Missouri.”[3][4]
