Community of Christ is a Christian denomination that originated in the 1830’s. The denomination bases its teachings on the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon, a narrative of God’s dealing with early peoples of the Western Hemisphere; and the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of modern revelation and present-day church guidance. The denomination’s mission is to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.
The Community of Christ was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr., as the Church of Christ, later known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After Smith was killed in 1844, many of the denomination’s leaders accepted Brigham Young, one of Smith’s followers, as the new leader of the church. But some people believed that Smith designated his young son, Joseph Smith III, to be the next leader. They began to reorganize in the 1850’s and were known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1860 to 2001. In that year, the denomination changed its name to the Community of Christ to better reflect its mission.
Church presidents of the Community of Christ were all direct descendants of Joseph Smith, Jr., until 1996, when W. Grant McMurray became president. The denomination has congregations in more than 50 countries worldwide. Ordained male and female ministers and lay (nonordained) leaders serve the congregations. The Community of Christ has its international headquarters, which includes the main Temple, in Independence, Missouri.
See also Mormons ; Smith, Joseph .
