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RLDS - Community of Christ - Page 2

Ok gang let's straighten the name out, it's....

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

This is still the Church's legal name.

We now go by "Community of Christ"
note: I don't agree with the name change

Our World Headquarters is in Independence, Missouri, USA

We have 3 books of Scripture.

The Inspired Version of the Bible (During our world conferences, LDS Elders are buying them by the basket full.) Thanks to Emma Smith, we have the original manuscripts.

The Book of Mormon The text is the same as the LDS version. But... At the Brighamite group headed west, the manuscript wasn't chaptered and versed. That's why Alma, Chapter 4 verse 25 in the RLDS version doesn't match the LDS version. between, we have the original manuscripts.

Book of Doctrine and Covenants Up to section 113 our books are the same. In 1970 our world conference moved sections 107, 109, 110, and 113 to the appendix. Before anyone asks why this was done, I was 12 years old at the time, and I wasn't there.

So, this should be enough to kindle the fire. ;-)

Skoullar, the Josephite

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Christ Community RLDS

skoullar:

Interesting. It seems like the Church decided to keep the longer name for legal purposes and use COC to identified itself to others.

It would be interesting to know why the changes. Also, are sections being added to the Doctrine and Covenants? What about the Pearl of Great Price? What is the position of the RLDS concerning this book?

RLDS - Community of Christ Beliefs Religious General

And to keep anyone else for using the name.

Yes, we are currently to Section 163.

We don't recognize it. Since it was published in 1851, and since Joseph Smith III founded the Reorganization in 1860, it's not part of our cannon.

Skoullar

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Page 2 Christ Community RLDS

Name: Joseph

Comments: OK, having traveled a little and lived in Utah, plus visiting the RLDS in Nauvoo and Kirtland. I have surmised the following.

1) RLDS and LDS having the name Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints (or Reorganized) in a misnomer. Neither of those names were used in the original D&C. The name Church Of Christ and Church of Jesus Christ were the originals. The official names used today were changed in the D&C. This is only one of the many changes to scriptures that the LDS Church has made.

2) Emma, her sons, family, and many of the original people who were with Joseph in the beginning did not follow Brigham. Since these people were with Joseph from the beginning, it begs the question why they did not go with Joseph even though they were witnesses to the plates and never lost their testimony. Emma being his wife, would have been one of his closest confidants. She even help translate the Book Of Mormon. Why didn't she follow Brigham?

3) Polygamy was a big issue, and there is ample evidence that Joseph actually did NOT practice this, no matter how much you hear that he did. There is no proof of any children coming from those supposed unions, and DNA tests today can prove that. Also, it seems more clear once you look at the evidence that Brigham actually was the one to practice polygamy with some people he brought into his own fold and they made a power grab. Brigham got the idea of polygamy from another group called the Cutlerites See: "Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy" Source 4

4) The majority of the Saints did not follow Brigham. It was actually a much smaller number. Most of the Saints remained in the Nauvoo area and were scattered in the mid-west, thus the difference between the Prairie Saints and The Rocky Mountain Saints.

5) The RLDS have a letter to Lyman Wight from Joseph Smith that proves his son Joseph Smith III was to be next in line. It is not conjecture or rumor. Joseph pointed out this fact many times with young Joseph on the church floor with him, and set him apart. Brigham even said himself that he originally was only holding the place for Joseph III until he grew up, but Joseph III denounced polygamy as being against the BOM and his father's direct orders, as well as against the D&C (This D&C section was later removed by Brigham and then Section 132 was placed in the current D&C)

6) Since the church was considered disorganized during the preceding years before Joseph III took the reins, there is significant history of what went on during that disorganization. This is usually overlooked by those reading just LDS history of the facts. In actuality, those that stayed behind in Nauvoo, and those scattered continued to practice the teachings of the church independently, some aligned with other groups, but most stayed disorganized. The priesthood was still with them even though they were scattered and independent. They baptized believers and followed the Gospel to the best of their knowledge.

7) Eventually, a reorganization took place and Joseph III took the helm.

8) A visit to Missouri and Kirtland and Nauvoo will open the eyes of many of the faithful and curious alike. In Nauvoo, half the city is run by the RLDS, and the other half by the LDS. The Kirtland Temple is run by the RLDS and is open to all, plus you get quite an HONEST history lesson of times. I learned more in a few hours at Kirtland about the early Saints and what happened there than I ever learned from the LDS Church.

9) If in Missouri, visit The Church Of Christ Temple Lot, and you will get another history lesson about those that didn't follow Brigham. According to them Joseph fell as a Prophet, and was influenced by FreeMasonry by William Bennett which became the temple rituals in altered form. According to them, Joseph's fall and all that happened in Nauvoo with rituals and polygamy were signs were caused by outsiders influenced by Satan to destroy the Church, and only a few actually saved the Gospel, and those that did now own and protect the land where the last temple will stand to welcome Jesus when he returns. Those keepers are the Temple Lot group. Talking to them will blow the mind of any well learned LDS or RLDS member.

All fascinating stuff.

Source 1: Source 3
Source 2: www.churchofchrist-tl.org

Christ Community RLDS

So we know that the Community of Christ allows Priesthood holders, both male and female. This recently held a World Conference where they discussed a couple of new revelations (the process is long and must be approved by several Church bodies). The first item, is that now rebaptism is optional (they will accept other Christian baptisms, including LDS). And they will allow gay members to be ordained in the priesthood but they will allow it on a nation by nation case. However, one of their goal is to stop marriage discrimination based solely on sexual orientation.

Source 9