BELIEFS & COMMUNITY
Latter-day Saint traditions: origins and different churches
Religious Values guide · Updated
The Latter-day Saint movement began with Joseph Smith in nineteenth-century America and developed into several separate churches. Its history includes belief in a restoration of Christianity, the Book of Mormon and continuing divine guidance. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Community of Christ share historical roots but have important differences today.
This page describes a historical family. It does not treat the doctrines or temple practices of its largest church as universal to every branch.
What restoration and revelation mean
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, restoration includes renewed priesthood authority, scripture and a church led by living prophets and apostles. Its Articles of Faith affirm the Bible and Book of Mormon, baptism by immersion and continuing revelation. These convictions help distinguish its account of Christian authority from Protestant appeals to Scripture alone or Catholic and Orthodox accounts of institutional continuity.[1]
Different developments from shared roots
Community of Christ reads its Restoration heritage through a Trinitarian Christian theology and a strong emphasis on peace. It also uses the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, with its own approach to scriptural interpretation. Sharing names for some sacred books does not mean that two churches give those books identical authority or draw the same conclusions from them.[2]
Compare a church, not just a historical label
Questions about God, church authority, ordinances, ordained ministry and temple life need a church-specific answer. Even the term restoration can carry different emphases. For someone exploring this family, begin by identifying the exact body and reading its current beliefs. Then ask how a local congregation teaches newcomers and how its weekly gatherings relate to membership commitments.[1][2]
Common questions
Is Community of Christ another name for the LDS Church?
No. It is a separate church, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Its theology, organization and sacramental life must be understood on their own terms, even though it shares parts of the movement's early history.[2]
Should I use the word Mormon for every branch?
Use the name a church uses for itself. The historical label can be ambiguous, and it may obscure the differences you are trying to understand. Full church names are especially useful when comparing beliefs, books and forms of worship.
Sources & further reading
The sources below explain the beliefs and practices discussed here. Where a guide describes a broad movement, a named organization illustrates its own approach.
- 1.Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Articles of Faith
A primary statement of this church's beliefs.
- 2.Community of Christ: Our beliefs
Community of Christ's own account of God, scripture and discipleship.