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New page: The '''Community of Christ''' is a denomination based in Independence, Missouri with its roots in the Latter-day Saints movement of Joseph Smith. It was founded in 1856 and wa...
The '''Community of Christ''' is a denomination based in Independence, [[Missouri]] with its roots in the [[Latter-day Saints]] movement of [[Joseph Smith]]. It was founded in 1856 and was known until 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS).
==Background==
After the assassination of Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1844, there was a debate over who his successor would be as leader of the [[Mormon]]s. The largest group followed [[Brigham Young]] to [[Utah]], and became the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], which is by far the largest of the Latter-day Saint groups. Smaller groups followed some other leaders also claiming to be Joseph Smith's successor, such as [[James Strang]] who led a group to [[Wisconsin]]. Many of Smith's followers remained behind in Missouri, and eventually they (along with some disaffected former Strang followers) reorganized themselves as the RLDS church. The RLDS church accepts the [[Book of Mormon]] and the [[Inspired Version]] of the Bible as scripture, as well as an RLDS-specific edition of the [[Doctrine and Covenants]].
==Recent years==
In recent years the RLDS church moved notably in the direction of [[liberal]] theology and sought to establish ties to the [[National Council of Churches]]. Unlike the Utah-based church they reject the name 'Mormon' to describe themselves. In 2001 they changed their name to the Community of Christ.
==External links==
* [http://www.cofchrist.org/ Community of Christ] - official website
==Background==
After the assassination of Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1844, there was a debate over who his successor would be as leader of the [[Mormon]]s. The largest group followed [[Brigham Young]] to [[Utah]], and became the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], which is by far the largest of the Latter-day Saint groups. Smaller groups followed some other leaders also claiming to be Joseph Smith's successor, such as [[James Strang]] who led a group to [[Wisconsin]]. Many of Smith's followers remained behind in Missouri, and eventually they (along with some disaffected former Strang followers) reorganized themselves as the RLDS church. The RLDS church accepts the [[Book of Mormon]] and the [[Inspired Version]] of the Bible as scripture, as well as an RLDS-specific edition of the [[Doctrine and Covenants]].
==Recent years==
In recent years the RLDS church moved notably in the direction of [[liberal]] theology and sought to establish ties to the [[National Council of Churches]]. Unlike the Utah-based church they reject the name 'Mormon' to describe themselves. In 2001 they changed their name to the Community of Christ.
==External links==
* [http://www.cofchrist.org/ Community of Christ] - official website