Differences Between the Communion of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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The Communion of Christ and Latter-day Saints (LDS) Church of Jesus Christ are two Mormon denominations that trace their origins back to Joseph Smith . They have developed separately in faith and practice since Smith's death. The LDS Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City , Utah and has approximately 15 million followers. The headquarters of the Communion of Christ is in Independence , Missouri ; the community has approximately 250,000 members.

Historical differences between the churches

Table of the foundation in Amboy

The fellowship of Christ was organized by an association of small groups who did not want to move to Utah with Brigham Young . In 1860 it was reorganized at the Amboy Conference, and its church leaders rejected the teachings of Young and his successors. This created differences between the two churches that still exist today. The examples listed here illustrate these differences.

Holy Scriptures

Both churches have open scriptures based on the Bible , the Book of Mormon, and other revelations from God in the Doctrine and Covenants .

Bible

The community of Christ primarily uses the so-called “inspired” translation of the Bible by Joseph Smith , although he only edited parts of the text. But it does not prescribe a mandatory translation of the Bible .

The LDS Church uses the King James Bible and publishes its own editions of the Bible for non-English speakers. The standard translation is used in German-speaking countries .

Book of Mormon

The fellowship of Christ and the LDS churches both believe that the Book of Mormon is another scripture. However, the President of the Fellowship of Christ, Stephen M. Veazey, stated that a resolution to reintroduce the belief that the Book of Mormon is divinely inspired scripture is not possible because the Fellowship of Christ does not prescribe belief in the Book of Mormon.

Doctrine and Covenants

Both churches publish a book called the Doctrine and Covenants and consider it scriptural. The Communion of Christ omitted some early chapters and added new revelations and documents regularly after Joseph Smith's death. The LDS Church added some documents after Smith's death, but not as many as the fellowship of Christ. The Communion of Christ version contains 166 documents, 51 of which were added after Smith's death. The LDS version contains 140 documents, five of which were added after Smith's death.

Delicious pearl

The LDS Church accepts the entire book, Pearl of Great Price, as scripture. The fellowship of Christ never published this book or recognized it as scripture, but accepts two parts of the book as scripture, namely the Book of Moses and the translation of Joseph Smith Matthew . This is Joseph Smith's translation of Mt 23.39  EU and 24 EU . The parts that are not accepted by the fellowship of Christ are the book of Abraham , Joseph Smith's history, and the Articles of Faith .

President of the Church

Joseph Smith III , the successor of Joseph Smith, as prophet-president of the fellowship of Christ. The fellowship of Christ believes that this son of Joseph Smith, not Brigham Young, was his rightful successor.

Both the communion of Christ and the LDS Church are presided over by a President. This office was established by Joseph Smith . In the LDS Church, the appointment of the president is based on the length of his service as an apostle. In the fellowship of Christ, the current president appoints a successor. The first five Presidents of the Communion of Christ were all descendants of Joseph Smith. However, the Fellowship of Christ never officially taught genealogical appointment despite the fact that its first president was the son of Joseph Smith.

The LDS Church appoints its President based on length of service in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles . After the president dies , the senior apostle automatically becomes president.

God

The fellowship of Christ teaches the Trinity , while the LDS Church teaches that there are three divine Persons with the same purpose.

increase

The LDS Church teaches the principle of exaltation . This teaching is rejected by the community of Christ.

priesthood

Both the communion of Christ and the LDS Church give adult men the priesthood. In contrast to the LDS church, in which the priesthood has only been open to blacks since 1978, the communion of Christ has always given it to people of all skin colors, and since 1984 also to women. Women are not allowed to become priests in the LDS Church. In the LDS Church, boys aged twelve receive the priesthood . The communion of Christ limits its priesthood to adult men and women.

temple

The communion of Christ has two temples, the Kirtland Temple and the Independence Temple . The LDS Church has more than 140 temples .

The temples of the Communion of Christ are open to the public and there are no ceremonies. In contrast, LDS temples are only allowed to be entered by worthy members of the Church.

Use of the cross and other symbols

lili rere
Logo of the Community of Christ (tombstone)
LDS Church logo (tombstone)

The community of Christ uses the cross as a symbol. In contrast, the LDS Church has rejected the cross as a symbol since the early 20th century.

Most of the LDS Church temples have an angel Moroni on their spiers, ten LDS temples have none. However, the LDS Church does not see the angel Moroni as an official symbol of the Church. The community of Christ rejects the angel Moroni as a symbol.

polygamy

The fellowship of Christ rejected polygamy from the start and continues to teach that Joseph Smith never had multiple wives.

The LDS Church, on the other hand, practiced polygamy until the 1890 Manifesto .

Tenth

Traditionally the fellowship of Christ taught that tithe is calculated from excess income. The LDS Church, on the other hand, teaches that tithe is deducted from the annual salary and that members can determine the calculation method, whether this is calculated before or after taxes. The fellowship of Christ began a program of general support for giving to the Church. This is seen more positively by the Church than an annual commitment to members.

True Church and First Vision

The LDS Church sees itself as the only true Church on earth. In contrast, the fellowship of Christ has given up this position and teaches that all religions can be a path to enlightenment.

Nowadays the community of Christ refers to the First Vision with the designation of the Shark Experience , but does not commit itself to its historicity. The church values ​​the healing presence of God and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus. In contrast, the LDS Church teaches that the vision was a historic event and the beginning of a new age with a new prophet.

Overview table

Fellowship of Christ LDS Church
Approximate number of members 250,000 15 million
Headquarters Independence , Missouri Salt Lake City , Utah
Open canon of writings Yes Yes
Bible Joseph Smith Translation King James Bible
Book of Mormon Accepted as script Accepted as script
Doctrine and Covenants 166 Documents
51 scriptures not written by Joseph Smith 		140 documents
5 scriptures not written by Joseph Smith
Delicious pearl Rejected
Accepts only those parts named by LDS Church of the Book of Moses and Joseph Smith-Matthew. 		Accepted as scriptures, including the books of Moses , Abraham , Joseph Smith-Matthew, Joseph Smith-History, and the Articles of Faith
President of the Church Prophet-President can retire and appoint a successor.
Traditional succession to the bloodline of Joseph Smith; now changed by naming the president from the previous one 		President serves in this position until death and does not elect a successor
Succession is based on length of service as apostle; apostles are appointed by inspiration
Doctrine of God Trinity Three different divine personalities with the same intention.
exaltation Declined Accepted
polygamy Declined Polygamy was allowed in the Church in the early years; not practiced or authorized since 1904.
priesthood Open to all ethnicities.
Open to women since 1984.
Open to baptized members 		Open to all ethnicities since 1978 (previously banned for Africans )
Open only to men
Open to boys from the age of 12
temple 2: Kirtland Temple , Independence Temple
Open to the public
Dedicated to Peace, Church Administration and History 		150
Open only to worthy members.
Consecrated for sacred ceremonies
Endowment Declined Accepted
Baptism of death Declined Accepted
Sealing Declined Accepted
Cross as a symbol Accepted Declined
Angel Moroni as a symbol Declined Accepted, but not as an official symbol
Tenth Tenth of the surplus
More flexible payment options were introduced 		Tenth of the annual salary (members specific calculation method)
First vision Referred to the "Shark Experience"
No position on historicity
The focus is on the healing presence of God and Jesus' forgiveness of sins by Joseph Smith 		Accepted as a Founding Historic Event
Smith's 1838 story is scripture called the Joseph Smith Life Story.
The focus is on beginning the Restoration of the gospel through a new prophet
Is It the Only True Church? Traditionally yes, recently no Yes

Further literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Statistical Report, 2013. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , April 2014, accessed on October 14, 2016 .
  2. ^ Community of Christ General: Denominational Information. Community of Christ, 2011, archived from the original on July 3, 2007 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  3. ^ A b Elbert A. Smith: Differences That Persist between the RLDS and LDS Churches . 1950, accessed on July 16, 2016 (pdf; 279 kB; English).
  4. ^ Bill McKeever: LDS and RLDS (Community of Christ): Differences & Similarities. Mormonism Research Ministry, accessed October 15, 2016 .
  5. ↑ Rich Brown: A Sacrament of Blessing and Promise. Community of Christ, archived from the original on July 30, 2012 ; Retrieved October 15, 2016 (English): "The unique teachings offered in the Inspired Version (Joseph Smith's emendations of the King James translation of the Bible) add significantly to our theological understanding."
  6. ↑ Rich Brown: A Sacrament of Blessing and Promise. Community of Christ, archived from the original on July 30, 2012 ; Retrieved October 15, 2016 (English, Brown refers to the King James Version as authorized by Joseph Smith, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the New International Version (NIV).).
  7. ↑ Andrew M. Shields, Official Minutes of Business Session, Wednesday March 28, 2007 . In: 2007 World Conference Thursday Bulletin, March 29, 2007 . Community of Christ, 2007.
  8. ↑ a b c Basic Beliefs: Scripture. Community of Christ, archived from the original on July 23, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  9. ^ Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed September 2, 2009 .
  10. ^ Community of Christ: Doctrine and Covenants , 107.
  11. ^ A Journey People: The Community of Christ Stor. Community of Christ website, accessed October 15, 2016 .
  12. ^ Gustav Niebuhr: New Leader For Church That Shares Mormon Roots. The New York Times, May 12, 1996, accessed October 15, 2016 .
  13. ↑ Our Faith: Frequently Asked Questions: Frequently Asked Questions? Community of Christ, archived from the original on June 29, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  14. ↑ Brent L. Top, Lawrence R. Flake, “The Kingdom of God Will Roll On”: Succession in the Presidency. Ensign (LDS-Magazin), August 1996, p. 22 , accessed on October 15, 2016 (English).
  15. ^ World Conference Resolution (WCR) 1304 Baptismal Prayers. (PDF; 140 kB) Community of Christ, accessed on October 15, 2016 (English).
  16. ↑ Godhead. LDS Church, accessed October 15, 2016 . Paul E. Dahl: deity . In: Daniel H. Ludlow (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Mormonism . Macmillan Publishing, New York 1992, ISBN 0-02-879602-0 , OCLC 24502140 , pp. 552-553.
  17. ↑ Margaret McConkie Pope: Exaltation. Encyclopedia of Mormonism , p. 479 , archived from the original on October 19, 2017 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  18. ^ Community of Christ: Doctrine and Covenants , Section 156: 9C-D , cf. 9C and 9D.
    Our Basic Beliefs: All Are Called. June 13, 2001, archived from the original on June 13, 2001 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  19. ↑ Why don't women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? mormon.org, accessed October 15, 2016 .
  20. ↑ Dale E. Luffman: Commonly Asked Questions: What is the youngest age one may be called to priesthood Community of Christ?. latter-dayseekers.org, archived from the original on February 22, 2013 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  21. ↑ Our Faith: Frequently Asked Questions: Do you perform sacraments in your Temple in Independence? Community of Christ website, archived from the original on June 29, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  22. ↑ Virtual Tour: Exterior Cross. Community of Christ website, archived from the original on April 17, 2010 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  23. ↑ Roger R. Keller: Cross. Encyclopedia of Mormonism , pp. 344-345 , accessed October 15, 2016 . Cross. LDS Church: Gospel Topics, archived from the original on November 12, 2014 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 . Michael Reed: Banishing the Cross: The Emergence of a Mormon Taboo . John Whitmer Books, Independence (Missouri), 2012, ISBN 978-1-934901-35-9 , OCLC 844370293 , pp. 67, 122.
  24. ^ Rick Satterfield: Interesting Facts: Angel Moroni Statues . About Mormon Temples, accessed October 15, 2016.
  25. ↑ Val D. Greenwood: I Have a Question: How long have statues of the angel Moroni appeared atop Latter-day Saint temples? Is there a reason the statues don't appear on top of all temples? Ensign, July 1994, pp. 66-67 , archived from the original on November 12, 2014 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  26. ^ What position does Community of Christ take on Joseph Smith's alleged involvement in polygamy? Community of Christ: Our Faith: Frequently Asked Questions, archived from the original on June 29, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  27. ^ A b Plural Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website, February 21, 2012, accessed July 30, 2016.
  28. ^ A b Stewardship: An Old Path Made New. Community of Christ, 2004, archived from the original on July 24, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .
  29. ↑ Tenth. LDS-Church: Gospel Topics, accessed October 15, 2016 .
  30. ^ Howard D. Swainston: Tithing. Encyclopedia of Mormonism , pp. 1480–1482 , accessed October 15, 2016 .
  31. ↑ James E. Talmage: The Great Apostasy . Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 1909.
    James L. Barker: Apostasy from The Divine Church . Kate Montgomery Barker, Salt Lake City, 1960.
  32. ↑ Our Belief: Frequently Asked Questions. Community of Christ, archived from the original on June 29, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 (English): "[The church] does not legislate or mandate positions on issues of history. We place confidence in sound historical methodology as it relates to our church story. We believe that historians and other researchers should be free to come to whatever conclusions they feel are appropriate after careful consideration of documents and artifacts to which they have access. We benefit greatly from the significant contributions of the historical discipline. "
  33. ^ Community of Christ History. Community of Christ, archived from the original on June 29, 2012 ; accessed on October 15, 2016 .