Historical differences between the churches Comparison of the Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1 historical differences between churches

1.1 scriptures

1.1.1 bible
1.1.2 book of mormon
1.1.3 doctrine , covenants
1.1.4 pearl of great price


1.2 presidential tenure , succession
1.3 godhead

1.3.1 exaltation
1.3.2 adam–god doctrine


1.4 priesthood eligibility
1.5 temples
1.6 use of cross , other symbols
1.7 polygamy
1.8 tithing
1.9 apostasy , restoration

historical differences between churches

the rlds church founded confederation of number of smaller groups declined migrate brigham young utah territory or follow of others vying become successor joseph smith. prior 1860 amboy conference, in church formally reorganized rlds church, numerous doctrinal differences espoused leaders of various splinter groups. following reorganization, these differences solidified litany of might called wedge issues distinguish young s lds church in utah.

the differences enumerated below characterize major differences between community of christ , lds church.

scriptures

both churches believe in open canon of scripture founded upon bible, book of mormon, , revelations of god church recorded in doctrine , covenants.

bible

the inspired version of bible part of community of christ s canon of scripture, although not mandate single translation of bible.

the lds church has officially adopted authorized king james version english speakers, , has produced own edition extensively footnoted clarifications inspired version. lds church refers inspired version joseph smith translation of bible. spanish-speaking members, lds church publishes modified version of reina-valera version, including footnotes , annotations comparable found in official king james version. other languages, lds church recommends usage of specific traditional translations selected based on doctrinal integrity other official standard works.

book of mormon

title page of first edition of book of mormon (1830).

both community of christ , lds church accept book of mormon second canon of scripture , views additional witness of jesus christ complements bible. community of christ publishes 2 versions of book through official publishing arm, herald house. authorized edition based on original printer s manuscript , 1837 second edition (or kirtland edition ) of book of mormon. content similar book of mormon published lds church, versification different community of christ publishes 1966 revised authorized edition , attempts modernize of language.

the lds church publishes single version of book of mormon, extensively footnoted church s other standard works. chapter , versification based upon 1879 edition edited orson pratt.

at 2007 world conference, community of christ president stephen m. veazey ruled resolution reaffirm book of mormon divinely inspired record out of order. stated while church affirms book of mormon scripture, , makes available study , use in various languages, not attempt mandate degree of belief or use. position in keeping our longstanding tradition belief in book of mormon not used test of fellowship or membership in church. lds church regularly emphasizes importance of book of mormon , encourages members read daily.

doctrine , covenants

both churches publish book called doctrine , covenants , accept scripture. community of christ has removed several sections , has regularly added new revelations , other inspired documents book since death of joseph smith. lds church has added material doctrine , covenants since smith s death, less of community of christ. community of christ version contains 166 documents, 51 of produced after death of joseph smith. lds church version contains 140 documents, 5 of produced after smith s death.

pearl of great price

the lds church includes pearl of great price part of standard works. community of christ has never published or considered book scripture. however, community of christ accept 2 portions of pearl of great price—the book of moses , joseph smith–matthew—as scripture:

chapters 2–8 of book of moses included within book of genesis in community of christ s inspired version of bible;
chapter 1 of book of moses accepted section 22 of community of christ s doctrine , covenants;
in addition appearing in inspired version of bible, chapter 7 of book of moses accepted section 36 of community of christ s doctrine , covenants; and
joseph smith–matthew accepted part of book of matthew in inspired version of bible.

portions of pearl of great price not accepted scripture community of christ book of abraham, joseph smith–history, , articles of faith.

presidential tenure , succession


joseph smith iii, successor joseph smith prophet-president of community of christ

both community of christ , lds church headed president of church, position created , held joseph smith. in lds church, succession presidency has been based on apostolic seniority. in community of christ, president has power appoint successor; if outgoing president not appoint successor, council of twelve apostles nominates successor.

after smith, next 3 presidents of community of christ served president of church until deaths. in 1978, w. wallace smith broke tradition , retired presidency, designated himself president emeritus , , appointed wallace b. smith successor. wallace b. smith , chosen successor—mcmurray—also retired position. in lds church, every president of church has served until death , none have selected successor prior death.

the first 5 successors joseph smith in presidency of community of christ direct descendants of smith. mcmurray first president of church not member of smith family. while never formally accepting principle of lineal succession, denomination teaches smith had designated son, joseph smith iii, successor. in 1996, appointment of mcmurray retiring president wallace b. smith justification used schismatic groups abandoned community of christ. schism led creation of remnant church of jesus christ of latter day saints. president of remnant church, frederick niels larsen, maternal great-great-grandson of joseph smith.

the lds church determines presidential successor principles of apostolic seniority combined inspiration god. when church president dies, member of quorum of twelve apostles has been apostle longest—the president of quorum of twelve apostles—becomes new president of church. prior making succession official, apostles individually , collectively pray divine guidance , confirmation of proposed action.

while area marked traditional difference between 2 denominations, 2004–05 succession crisis prompted council of twelve apostles of community of christ utilize inspiration-seeking procedure similar adopted apostles of lds church. when mcmurray stepped down president in 2004, chose not name successor, previous retirees position had done. in 2005, stephen m. veazey—who president of twelve, not senior member—was selected successor council of twelve.

godhead

the community of christ teaches trinity, define god community of 3 persons. lds church teaches godhead composed of 3 physically distinct personages united—or 1 —in purpose.

exaltation

the lds church teaches principle of exaltation; doctrine not accepted community of christ.

adam–god doctrine

according brigham young, adam–god doctrine first taught joseph smith before death in 1844. however, evidence smith originated doctrine consists of young s own assertions, 1877 recollection of anson call, , circumstantial evidence collected mormon fundamentalist writers. lds church president spencer w. kimball officially denounced adam–god doctrine in 1976.

because community of christ founded confederation of number of smaller groups declined accept young s leadership, adam–god doctrine has never been part of community of christ teachings, , has maintained doctrine first enunciated young, not smith.

priesthood eligibility

both churches have tradition of bestowing priesthood on adult male members of church. priesthood of community of christ has been open persons of races, , opened women in 1984. lds church s priesthood open males , mid 1800s until 1978 not open people of black african descent,. lds church routinely gives aaronic priesthood boys 12 years of age , older, while community of christ restricts priesthood adult men , women.

temples

independence temple of community of christ in independence, missouri.

both community of christ , lds church operate temples, both groups separate , distinct church chapels or meetinghouses. community of christ operates 2 temples, kirtland temple , independence temple, while lds church has 155 operating temples.

the community of christ not practice , has traditionally objected idea of sacraments or rituals being performed in temples. community of christ s temples open public , dedicated pursuit of peace, spiritual learning, , church history , administration. lds church temples open approved members , used performance of rites such endowment, celestial marriage, , baptism dead; these ordinances have never been embraced community of christ.

historically, community of christ did include documents in doctrine , covenants sanctioned baptism dead , other temple rites. however, community of christ considers institution of baptism dead made conditional on completion of nauvoo temple in reasonable amount of time. because membership of church failed complete temple during smith s lifetime, community of christ teaches right perform baptisms dead withdrawn , has not been reinstituted.

the 1970 world conference of community of christ concluded sections 107, 109, , 110 (regarding baptism dead , temple rites) had been added 1844 edition of doctrine , covenants without proper approval of church conference. thus, conference removed world conference of 1990 subsequently removed entire appendix doctrine , covenants.

use of cross , other symbols

the community of christ utilizes symbol of christian cross on buildings , temples. lds church not use cross on grounds because savior lives, not use symbol of death symbol of our faith , although aversion cross became dominant in 20th century.

most temples of lds church include statue of angel moroni on spire, church not consider moroni official symbol , has no policy regarding use of statues of angel moroni atop temples , rather includes or excludes statue each temple based on local circumstances. community of christ not use angel moroni symbol.

in united states, veterans affairs (va) emblem headstones lds church members stylized angel moroni. community of christ, va emblem stylized representation of child standing between lion , lamb, official logo of community of christ.

polygamy

in 19th century, differences between lds church , rlds church regarding polygamy principal distinction between 2 churches. lds church openly practiced plural marriage 1852 1890 , taught practice instituted joseph smith , taught in secret members of church before death. many years, leaders of rlds church vocal critics of lds church s polygamy , argued practice had been introduced brigham young , falsely attributed smith after smith s death. polygamy denounced rlds leaders , practice never accepted church. smith s son joseph smith iii , widow emma smith repeatedly taught smith opposed practice , not polygamist.

today, although community of christ has no official position on whether smith polygamist, members accept historical consensus smith had multiple wives. members have argued smith wrong introduce polygamy; in case, community of christ members continue reject polygamy. today, church of jesus christ of latter-day saints opposes practice of polygamy, church presidents have repeatedly emphasized church , members no longer authorized enter plural marriage.

tithing

traditionally, community of christ taught tithing should calculated one-tenth of member s discretionary income. lds church teaches ten percent of 1 s annual income, left member determine how calculate (e.g., constitutes income , whether ten percent of income after or before tax). recently, community of christ has adopted program known disciples generous response, encourages financial generosity response god rather set calculated obligation.

apostasy , restoration

stained glass depiction of first vision of joseph smith, completed in 1913 unknown artist (lds museum of church history , art).

the lds church teaches joseph smith restored fullness of gospel after centuries long period known great apostasy. lds church therefore characterizes restoration of fallen christianity , 1 true church exists. in contrast, community of christ has de-emphasized traditional tenet 1 true church , has adopted viewpoint faith traditions can offer pathway spiritual enlightenment. barbara mcfarlane higdon has called community of christ unique member of body of christ, universal community of believers. higdon suggests prior claims church had been restored tantamount idolatry. community of christ has therefore moved towards ecumenism , inter-faith dialogue. nevertheless, community of christ steadfastly affirms primacy of continuing revelation instead of creedal rigidity . community of christ s doctrine , covenants continues contain documents declare church 1 true church.

today, community of christ refers joseph smith s first vision grove experience , takes flexible view historicity, emphasizing healing presence of god , forgiving mercy of jesus christ felt smith. in contrast, lds church affirms reality of first vision , emphasizes role beginning of restoration of gospel through god s chosen prophet.