Community of Christ
Community of Christ (formerly Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / RLDS) was organized in 1860 by Joseph Smith III, son of the LDS founder. It claims continuity with the original church of Joseph Smith while diverging from the Utah-based LDS Church on many distinctive doctrines: it affirms the Book of Mormon and other Restoration scriptures, but does not require temple endowment for salvation, ordains women to all offices including the apostleship (since 1984), and has moved theologically toward mainline Protestantism in recent decades. The denomination is headquartered in Independence, Missouri.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Nuanced
Salvation by grace; temple ordinances not required; broad ecumenical approach
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Christ's death and resurrection accomplish salvation for all who respond in faith
Predestination
Nuanced
Human agency affirmed; Calvinist predestination rejected
Original Sin
Varies
Human sinfulness affirmed; Restoration heritage rejects infant guilt
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Varies
Resurrection affirmed; detailed LDS afterlife tiers not emphasized
Hell
Varies
Judgment affirmed; detailed afterlife tiers and outer darkness de-emphasized
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life with God affirmed; exaltation to godhood not required belief
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ's return affirmed; building Zion as preparatory mission
Millennium
Varies
No official millennial position; Zion mission replaces prophetic speculation
Ecclesiology
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Nuanced
Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants canonical; ongoing additions
Biblical Inerrancy
Denies
Scripture is inspired and authoritative; historical-critical scholarship engaged
Extra-biblical Revelation
Affirms
Continuing revelation through the prophet; World Conference discernment required
Scripture Interpretation
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Nuanced
Matthew 28:19 affirmed; interpretation allows flexibility on exact formula
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Nuanced
Recognizes divine address but allows interpretive flexibility; Christ's exaltation affirmed
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Affirms future kingdom; interpretation flexible on millennium details; God's triumph central
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created all things; affirms creation while allowing scientific and scholarly inquiry
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Affirms theological witness; open to textual questions; resurrection truth maintained
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
Affirms theological truth; open to scholarly questions; mercy and redemption emphasized
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Recognizes textual complexity; interpretation flexible; not essential to faith
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Nuanced
Deuterocanonical books not canonical but respected; open canon principle allows flexibility
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Nuanced
Not canonical but valued for historical witness; open canon principle allows openness
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Nuanced
Affirms divinity but emphasizes Christ as distinct person; open to interpretation
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Nuanced
Affirms virgin birth; Isaiah passage interpreted christologically but with openness
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter's role affirmed but subject to Christ; priesthood of believers emphasized
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereignty and love balanced; individual agency and choice respected
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith expressed through righteous works; integral to Christian discipleship