We are an international Christian church with 250,000 members found in more than fifty nations. Our World Headquarters, including a Temple dedicated to the pursuit of peace, is located in Independence, Missouri. The church was organized in 1830 in New York State.

OUR HISTORY:

In the early 1800s, a young boy named Joseph Smith knelt in the woods near his family home in Manchester Township, New York. He felt separated from G-d; he also wanted to know how he could make his life count for good in a world full of confusion and sin. He wanted to join with G-d’s people, but he had no idea how to do that. So, in response to the scripture from James, he prayed to G-d.

How long this first attempt at verbal prayer lasted is not known, but he came to a point of deep despair. At this point, a vision surrounded him with love and mercy. From that light came a voice as clear as his own. As the vision ebbed and the voice faded, Joseph felt that he knew the truth. He felt the healing presence of G-d within and the forgiving mercy of Christ. He knew that G-d would be with him.

He struggled through his teen years, trying to balance his experience with G-d with his desire to be accepted by others in his community. He continued to have significant spiritual experiences, one of which led to the Book of Mormon. In response to these experiences he was instrumental in organizing the church on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York. Shortly thereafter he and a small group of members moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where a dynamic minister, Sidney Rigdon, and some of his followers joined the infant church.

Kirtland represented an effort by the church to create a religious and social community to serve as the base for spreading the gospel message into the world. Today the Kirtland Temple stands as a monument to the efforts of these faithful people.

While the Kirtland experiment grew, missionaries visited Jackson County, Missouri, designated by Joseph Smith as the center of G-d’s earthly kingdom (Zion) in 1831. Increased tensions between the Saints and local residents resulted in church members moving northward from county to county. The Jackson County experience was tragic, yet it provided a lesson in tolerance both for the Saints and for the native Missourians.

Saints from Jackson County and the Kirtland experiment, which was nearing financial collapse in the depression of 1837 - 1838, joined to form a new center at Far West, Missouri.

In 1839 the church was evicted entirely from the state of Missouri. The Saints founded Nauvoo (Illinois), the "city beautiful," on the banks of the Mississippi River. The town grew rapidly with Joseph Smith Jr. as its spiritual and secular leader shaping a social, religious, and political community. Internal confusion and conflicts with the surrounding communities grew as Nauvoo increased in size. On June 27, 1844, an angry mob broke into the Carthage, Illinois, jail and killed Joseph and his brother Hyrum who had been imprisoned there.

Following Joseph's death the church was in a state of confusion and disorganization for several years, and divided into factions. The largest group moved westward to the Great Salt Lake Valley under the direction of an influential church leader, Brigham Young. Smaller factions scattered in all directions.

The Reorganized Church came into being in the 1850s. The "Reorganization" believed that Joseph Smith Jr. had designated his eldest son, Joseph III, to be his successor as president of the church. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized on April 6, 1860, at Amboy, Illinois, under the leadership of Joseph Smith III. His leadership spanned 54 years marked by wisdom and sensitivity. His presidency saw the church grow from a small fragmented group to a church of over 70,000 persons with representation throughout the United States and in several other countries. Since April 1920, the official corporate headquarters of the church has been in Independence, Missouri.

In 1915, Frederick Madison Smith succeeded his father in the presidency. He emphasized the social expression of the gospel, advocating the establishment of Zionic conditions merging both spiritual and temporal dimensions. After his death in 1946, Frederick M. Smith was succeeded by his brother, Israel A. Smith.

Israel A. Smith’s twelve years of presidency were marked by a postwar, post-depression search for stability and growth. However, due to his pastoral caring personality, the period provided a growing unity unprecedented in the church's history. It was highlighted by an increased missionary emphasis and progress toward completion of the Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, the headquarters building Frederick M. had conceived and begun many years earlier.

In 1958, W. Wallace Smith became the third of Joseph III's sons to follow him in the presidency. His presidency experienced the expansion of the church into other Western and non-Western cultures. The 1960s and 1970s were marked by evaluation of program and message and the adoption of a more decentralized style of church administration.

In 1976, W. Wallace Smith designated his son, Wallace B. Smith, to succeed him as prophet-president after a two-year period of preparation. Wallace B. Smith was ordained to the office in 1978 and presided over the church's sesquicentennial celebrations in 1980.

In 1995, President Wallace B. Smith designated W. Grant McMurray as his successor upon his retirement in April 1996. McMurray was ordained at the 1996 World Conference in Independence, Missouri, and currently presides over the church.

Delegates at the church's 2000 World Conference passed legislation to change the name of the church to Community of Christ--a name that more adequately represents the church's theology and mission: "We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace." On April 6, 2001, the anniversary of the church's 1830 founding, the church officially became Community of Christ.

Additional information on the history of the Community of Christ may be found on the following pages:

The Early Church (1830)
The Book of Mormon
Kirtland, Ohio (1831-1838)
Missouri (1830-1839)
Nauvoo, Illinois (1839-1844)
Years of Confusion and Disorganization (1844-1860)

The church under the leadership of…

Joseph Smith III (1860-1914)
Frederick M. Smith (1915-1946)
Israel A. Smith (1946-1958)
W. Wallace Smith (1958-1978)
Wallace B. Smith (1978-1996)
W. Grant McMurray (1996- )

Our Mission

We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.

We Offer...

• a community of people where the gospel of Jesus Christ is the focus of worship, learning, caring, and mission.

• an opportunity for genuine spiritual growth and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

• local congregations where deep friendships are established, individual ideas are valued, and where those special needs find security, care, and support.

• a faith community that encourages the ministry of all people, including children and youth.

• a global community with a worldwide mission that values all cultures and celebrates the rich diversity of human life.

• meaningful opportunities to serve Jesus Christ by helping others and promoting peace.

Our Faith and Beliefs

Recognizing that the perception of truth is always qualified by human nature and experience, there is no official church creed that must be accepted by all members. However, through the years various statements, such as those listed below, have been developed to present the generally accepted beliefs of the church. All people are encouraged to study the scriptures, to participate in the life and mission of the church, and to examine their own experiences as they grow in understanding and response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

God

The one eternal, living G-d is triune: one G-d in three persons. The G-d who meets us in the testimony of Israel is the same G-d who meets us in Jesus Christ, and who indwells creation as the Holy Spirit. G-d is the Eternal Creator, the source of love, life, and truth. G-d actively loves and cares for each person. All things that exist owe their being to G-d who alone is worthy of our worship.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is "God with us," the Son of G-d, and the living expression of G-d in the flesh. Jesus Christ lived, was crucified, died, and rose again. The nature, love, and purpose of G-d are most clearly seen in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of G-d in the world. The Spirit works in our minds and hearts through intelligence, comfort, guidance, love, and power to sustain, inspire, and remake us. 

Salvation

God loves us even though we are sinful. Through the ministry of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are able to turn to G-d and receive the gifts of salvation and eternal life. Those who accept the gospel are called to respond to Christ through baptism and committed discipleship. As individuals exercise faith in Christ and follow his example and teachings, they become new people.

The Church

Christian discipleship is most fully possible when it is pursued in a community of committed believers. The church, as part of the body of Christ, is the means through which the ministry of Christ continues in the world today. It is a community of people seeking to bring G-d’s love to all through compassionate ministry, worship, the sacraments, and witness.

Revelation

The process through which G-d reveals divine will and love is called revelation. G-d continues to reveal today as in the past. G-d is revealed to us through scripture, the faith community, prayer, nature, and in human history.

Scripture

The scriptures provide divine guidance and inspired insight for life when responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied. With other Christians, we affirm the Bible as scripture for the church. In our tradition, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are additional scriptural witnesses of G-d’s love and Christ’s ministry.

Sacraments

The sacraments express the continuing presence of Christ through the church. They help us establish and continually renew our relationship with G-d. Through them we establish or reaffirm our covenant with G-d in response to G-d’s grace. The sacraments of the church are baptism, confirmation of membership, the Lord's Supper (Communion), marriage, blessing of children, administration to the sick, ordination to the priesthood, and the evangelist's blessing.

Baptism

Baptism is a covenant entered into between the individual and G-d. It is an expression of our faith and trust in G-d. For us, baptism means that we are baptized into Community of Christ and become members of that particular fellowship. Baptism also signifies commitment to the universal task of Christianity to which the contributions of other Christians are acknowledged and appreciated. Community of Christ requires that persons reach the "age of accountability" before becoming baptized. This became identified as at least eight years of age as early as the spring of 1831. The term "age of accountability" means more than a minimum age for baptism; it also suggests that we are accountable to G-d for our decisions, our resources, our whole lives. In the Community of Christ tradition, we baptize by immersion. Emerging from the water symbolizes resurrection and the rising to a new life.

Confirmation

Confirmation, otherwise known as baptism of the Spirit, follows baptism by water and completes a person's initiation into the church. The only prerequisite for the rite of confirmation is that a person is baptized into Community of Christ. Confirmation sometimes occurs immediately following baptism in the same service of worship. More often, however, several days or weeks elapse between baptism and confirmation. Confirmation is administered by the laying on of hands. The candidate sits in a chair and two elders lay their hands on the candidate's head, one offering the prayer of confirmation. There are no prescribed words that must be included in the prayer of confirmation.

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is the most frequently and widely observed of the sacraments within the church. Usually celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, it is unique among the sacraments in that each member participates directly on a repeated basis rather than only once in a lifetime as with baptism, confirmation and blessing.

Blessing of Children

The blessing of children recognizes the entrance of a new life into the church community. It is based primarily on the Gospel accounts of Jesus receiving and blessing children and symbolizes and demonstrates G-d’s love and concern for the child. Children from birth to the eighth birthday are eligible for blessing. Normally children of members of the church are brought for blessing some time during the first six months after birth. It is not unusual, however, for older children and children of friends of the church to be blessed.

Ordination

The sacrament of ordination is the procedure by which "calls" to specific ministries in the church are both recognized and accepted in the lives of individuals. It is the rite by which certain ecclesiastical privileges and responsibilities are conferred. Ordination grants the authority to perform certain duties. This authority is given to the individual by G-d and also by the church. Although G-d’s call is primary in the ordination process for the church, the individual's own sense of call is also important. Some persons accept the call to be ordained only after they feel personal assurance that G-d has indeed called them. Others accept as a result of faith in the process by which calls originate or out of a sincere desire to serve.

Marriage

The church recognizes that marriage is subject to legal provisions established by various nations and states. This aspect of marriage makes it unique among the church's sacraments. Marriages within the church should be solemnized in public meeting of some kind. This usually occurs in the context of a service of worship. Marriages within the church are to be performed by members of the Melchisedec priesthood or by Aaronic priests. The church also recognizes the marriages of persons who choose to be married by authorities outside the church, such as civil authorities or ministers of other faiths.

The Evangelist's Blessing

The evangelist’s blessing serves as a sacramental vehicle for G-d to affirm and support persons in their life ventures. It is an experience of laying on of hands and prayer focusing on G-d’s accepting and creative love in the life of the person, family, or congregation. The blessing is a defining experience to help persons know who they are, their value and giftedness, purpose and meanings of life. It helps persons to refocus their lives according to the purposes of G-d and G-d’s call to them. The sacrament is extended to individuals, families, or congregations. There are no age, race, gender, membership, or life conditions that restrict persons from sharing in this sacrament. Recording of the blessing is optional. The sacrament of the evangelist’s blessing is not a one-time experience but is available at different junctures of a person’s life. Sharing with the evangelist as a spiritual companion is an integral part of the total blessing experience.

Administration to the Sick

The sacrament of administration is available to members and nonmembers alike. A person who is physically ill, emotionally strained, or sick in any other way may request administration. The purpose of this sacrament is to provide assurance of G-d’s care and concern and also of the church's interest in that person. Administration is usually done in the privacy of the church, a person's home, office, or hospital room. On occasion, however, administration may be performed while other persons are present or even as part of a formal service of worship.

Human Worth

God loves each of us equally and unconditionally. All persons have great worth and should be respected as creations of G-d with basic human rights. The willingness to love and accept others is essential to faithfulness to the gospel of Christ.

All Are Called

All men, women, youth, and children are given gifts and abilities to enhance life and to become involved in Christ's mission. Some are called to particular responsibility as ordained ministers (priesthood) in the church. The church provides for a wide range of priesthood ministries through calling and ordination of both men and women.

Free Agency

All people are free to choose, resulting in real consequences of good and evil to our lives, the lives of others, and our environment. Commitment to Christ, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and participation in the faith community help people make responsible choices that enhance human life and respect creation.

Stewardship

All things were created by G-d and should be used for G-d’s purposes. Stewardship is the wise management of gifts and resources to enrich personal, family, congregational, and community life, as well as utilizing natural resources for the good of all creation.

The Kingdom

God's kingdom is present wherever people acknowledge the lordship of G-d over life, relationships, and creation. The full coming of the kingdom awaits the final victory over evil when divine rule is established and justice, peace, and righteousness prevail.

Zion

The "cause of Zion" expresses our commitment to pursuing G-d’s kingdom through the establishment of Christ-centered communities in families, congregations, neighborhoods, cities, and throughout the world.

Peace

Because of our commitment to Christ and belief in the worth of all people and the value of community building, we dedicate our lives to the pursuit of peace and justice for all people.

Resurrection

God conserves and renews life as revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a sign of G-d’s ultimate victory over death. In Christ’s resurrection, we find hope and courage for living. Through resurrection, G-d transforms individuals, bringing them into the fullness of eternal life.

Judgment

Our eternal destiny is determined by G-d according to divine wisdom and love and according to our response to G-d’s call to us. G-d’s judgment is just and is based on the kind of people we have become in relation to the potential of our lives.

End Time

God is acting in history to reconcile all creation to divine purpose. The meaning and end to which history moves is revealed in Christ. The ultimate victory of righteousness and peace over injustice, evil, and sin is assured because of the unfailing love of G-d and the conviction that Christ is coming again.

[This is the end of RLDS/Community of Christ Web Site information.]