The Community of Christ is a Christian denomination with a quarter of a million adherents in over fifty countries. They have unique beliefs, including an open canon of scripture and ongoing revelation. Zion represents a unity of mind and purpose that manifests itself in caring for all of creation. The priesthood is open to women, and the Temple in Independence, Missouri is used for spiritual education and daily prayer for peace.
The Community of Christ is a Christian denomination based in Independence, Missouri, United States of America. As part of the Latter-day Saint family of denominations, the church traces its historical legacy to the formation of the movement on April 6, 1830. The church shares some history and beliefs with other Latter-day Saint denominations, but has tended to chart its own course based on what leaders and members considered God’s mind and will for the church.
As a separate entity, the Community of Christ first began to emerge on April 6, 1852. For most of its history, the church was known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While retaining legal control of that name, the church has been known as the Community of Christ since 2001.
Currently, the Community of Christ boasts a quarter of a million adherents in over fifty countries. While an ecumenical body that encourages working with other Christians and faiths on common interests in communities, the church holds some beliefs and practices that are unique. Some of these beliefs were formulated in the early years of the Latter-day Saint movement, while others evolved within the unique environment of the Community of Christ.
One of the church’s most distinctive beliefs is an open canon of scripture. The Community of Christ recognizes the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture. Along with the notion that God will add more to the canon from time to time, the church also believes in ongoing revelation. The president of the faith is believed to be responsible for presenting inspired advice to a World Conference made up of delegates from across the church. This advice can be added to the fee with the affirmative vote of the delegates.
Another key aspect of the faith of the Community of Christ is the concept of Zion. Members of the faith understand that Zion includes elements of place and a state of mind. Bearing some resemblance to the peaceful realm of the Quaker and the beloved community of Unity Universalism, Zion represents a unity of mind and purpose that manifests itself in caring for all of creation.
The priesthood is also an important characteristic of the Community of Christ. The emphasis is on service to God, the church and the wider community. The administration of church sacraments and ordinances is limited to priesthood members. Since 1984, the priesthood in the church has been open to women. The first female ordinations took place in 1985.
Of great importance is the Temple, located in Independence, Missouri. Open to all people, the Temple is used for spiritual education and large-scale worship services. Since the early 1990s, the Temple has been the site of daily prayer for peace, a worship experience that takes place daily at noon central time. Each feature focuses on a different country around the world and the current state and well-being of that country. Many members of the Community of Christ who cannot attend the Daily Prayer for Peace take a few moments each day to pray for the well-being of that country together with those gathered in the Temple.
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