Community of Christ: History, Theology, and Modern Mission

The largest Latter Day Saint church outside the LDS movement, tracing its roots to Joseph Smith but charting its own theological and organizational path.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 25, 2026

Branched from From Schism to Coexistence: The Evolution of Latter Day Saint Factions

Quick take

The Community of Christ emerged from the 1860 succession crisis after Joseph Smith's death, originally led by his son Joseph Smith III.
Unlike the LDS Church, it embraces progressive theology, women in clergy, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and a decentralized priesthood structure.
Today it operates globally with about 250,000 members, focused on peace-building, interfaith dialogue, and social justice rather than exclusive restoration claims.

The Community of Christ is an independent Latter Day Saint denomination with roots in Joseph Smith's 1830 founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After Smith's 1844 death, the movement fractured. While most followers migrated west under Brigham Young, a smaller group remained in the Midwest and eventually coalesced around Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III, who was formally sustained as prophet in 1860. The church that formed around him—initially called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS)—developed its own theology, governance, and mission distinct from both the LDS Church and other Latter Day Saint splinter groups.

Origins and Early Institutional Development

Joseph Smith III inherited a fragmented legacy. His mother, Emma Hale Smith, and supporters who rejected polygamy and westward migration formed the core of what became the RLDS. Joseph III was only 11 when his father died, so his leadership didn't begin until adulthood. The 1860 reorganization in Amboy, Illinois, formally established him as the church's head and prophet. The early decades were marked by theological deliberation: church leaders studied the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price alongside biblical scholarship, gradually developing interpretations that diverged from LDS positions on plural marriage, temple practice, and priesthood authority.

The church established headquarters in Independence, Missouri—the same city Joseph Smith had designated as Zion's center. This geographic claim became symbolically important even as the church's theology softened around exclusive restoration narratives. By the early 20th century, the RLDS had built a substantial institutional presence with schools, missions, and a publishing house, operating primarily in North America but with growing international branches.

Distinctive Theology and Doctrine

The Community of Christ's theology reflects a deliberate move away from some core LDS teachings while retaining others. It firmly rejects plural marriage as doctrine, viewing it as a historical aberration rather than a restoration principle. It does not practice temple endowments or secret ordinances; instead, it emphasizes open worship and sacrament practices closer to mainline Protestant Christianity. The church interprets the Book of Mormon as scripture but treats it as a historical and spiritual narrative rather than a literal genealogical record of American indigenous peoples.

Priesthood authority works differently here too. Rather than an exclusively male, hierarchical priesthood with distinct offices, the Community of Christ developed a more open understanding. Since 1984, it has ordained women to all levels of priesthood, including the highest office of apostle. LGBTQ+ individuals are welcomed into ordained ministry without restrictions—a position the church formally affirmed in 2007. The church's Christology emphasizes Jesus as exemplar and liberator rather than focusing on pre-mortal existence or eternal progression doctrines central to LDS belief.

Modern Mission and Global Presence

In 2001, the church formally changed its name from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Community of Christ, signaling a shift in identity and mission. The rebranding reflected decades of theological evolution and a desire to be known for its contemporary work rather than its historical claims. Today, the church operates in over 50 countries with approximately 250,000 members, though numbers have declined from earlier peaks.

The church's mission centers on four pillars: pursuing peace, pursuing justice, pursuing wholeness, and pursuing community. This translates into interfaith dialogue, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, environmental stewardship, and reconciliation work. The church has been notably active in peace-building efforts, particularly in regions affected by conflict, and maintains formal relationships with the United Nations and various ecumenical bodies. Unlike the LDS Church's emphasis on exclusive truth claims and temple-centered worship, the Community of Christ positions itself as one voice in a broader Christian conversation, open to learning from other traditions.

Why This Matters

The Community of Christ demonstrates how a religious movement can evolve significantly while maintaining continuity with its founding narrative. It offers a case study in how Latter Day Saint theology can be reinterpreted in light of modern biblical scholarship, social ethics, and interfaith engagement. For scholars of religion, it illustrates the diversity within the Latter Day Saint tradition—a point often obscured by the dominance of the LDS Church. For practitioners, it represents a path that honors Joseph Smith's spiritual vision while embracing progressive theology and inclusive practice. In broader religious contexts, it exemplifies how denominations can move from sectarian isolation toward mainstream ecumenical participation without losing their distinctive identity.

Key Differences from the LDS Church

Rejects plural marriage as doctrine; never practiced it institutionally
Ordains women and LGBTQ+ individuals to all priesthood levels
No temple endowments or secret ordinances; open worship model
Emphasizes interfaith dialogue and social justice over exclusive truth claims
Smaller, more geographically dispersed membership (250,000 vs. 17 million LDS)

Is the Community of Christ still considered Latter Day Saint?

Yes, but with important caveats. It shares historical roots with the LDS Church and retains the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as scripture. However, its theology, practice, and self-understanding have diverged substantially. Many scholars classify it as a distinct Latter Day Saint denomination rather than a branch of the main tradition. The church itself uses 'Community of Christ' as its primary identity while acknowledging its Latter Day Saint heritage.

Why did the church change its name in 2001?

The change from 'Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' to 'Community of Christ' reflected a deliberate reorientation of identity. Church leaders felt the old name over-emphasized organizational restoration and historical claims, whereas the new name better captures the church's contemporary mission around peace, justice, and inclusive community. The rebranding also helped distinguish the church from the LDS movement in public perception.

How many members does the Community of Christ have, and where are they located?

The church has approximately 250,000 members worldwide, with significant concentrations in North America, Africa, and parts of Asia and Europe. Membership peaked in the mid-20th century at around 250,000-300,000 and has remained relatively stable or slightly declining in recent decades. It operates congregations and missions in over 50 countries, though the majority of members remain in the United States.

Does the Community of Christ believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?

The church affirms Joseph Smith as a significant spiritual figure and founder, and it sustains a president-prophet in its leadership structure. However, the theology is more nuanced than the LDS understanding. The church views Smith as a visionary who received genuine spiritual insights but does not claim he was infallible or that his revelations supersede modern biblical scholarship and ethical understanding. The church's prophet-president is expected to continue receiving revelation and guidance for the church's mission.

How does the Community of Christ relate to the LDS Church today?

Relations are cordial but distant. The two churches recognize their shared heritage but acknowledge fundamental theological differences. There is occasional scholarly dialogue and mutual respect, but no formal organizational relationship. The LDS Church maintains its exclusive restoration claims, while the Community of Christ has moved toward a more inclusive, ecumenical stance. Members of one church are generally free to engage respectfully with the other, though conversion between them remains uncommon.

Sources

Community of Christ official website and published historical records; church membership and geographic data as of 2023.
Alma Blair, 'The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Moderate Mormonism,' in The Varieties of American Evangelicalism (1991).
John Hamer, The Making of Mormon History: A Study of the Auxiliary Movements of the RLDS Church (2011).
Community of Christ, 'Our Mission and Values' and 'History and Heritage' official statements.