Questions about the Community of Christ

[_CameronMO]

Can anyone point me to a good resource on some of the beliefs of the Community of Christ? In particular, I'm wanting to find out more information about their beliefs regarding:

Accounts of the First Vision
Race and priesthood
Plural marriage, including Joseph Smith’s involvement
Book of Mormon translation
Women’s roles in the Church
DNA studies and the Book of Mormon
Deification in Church teachings
Egyptology and the Book of Abraham

I saw on their website their statement regarding plural marriage, and Joseph Smith's involvement, but I want to know more.

Thanks!

[_Bazooka]

http://www.cofchrist.org/ourfaith/faq.asp

[_Maureen]

At the bottom of their FAQ there is an email address you can send these questions to.

http://www.cofchrist.org/ourfaith/faq.asp

M.

[_aussieguy55]

I noticed that on their website they were talking about a 5% increase in tithing to 14 million. That does not seem bad for a church that has around 250,000 members some of who I imagine are not active.In Australia they have a number of camp sites and nursing homes.

[_CameronMO]

Thanks for all help. I did not contact the Community of Christ, but did some of my own research. The question on my mind is whether the members at the time made a mistake in following BY.

Accounts of the First Vision- CoC refers to the "grove experience," and acknowledges that there are multiple versions. COLDS came around to that last year through the essay.

Race and priesthood- CoC has taken the position from the beginning that COLDS took in 1978. CoC never had to have a "revelation" on the subject.

Plural marriage, including Joseph Smith’s involvement- CoC denies JSJr's involvement, and did not allow the practice. COLDS officially ended the practice in the early 1900's.

Book of Mormon translation-?

Women’s roles in the Church- CoC allowed women to hold the priesthood, something that seems to be a real possibility in COLDS' future.

DNA studies and the Book of Mormon-?

Deification in Church teachings- CoC did not teach Adam-God, and I gather they don't teach deification. COLDS seems to be headed that way, too, in my opinion.

Egyptology and the Book of Abraham- CoC never considered PoGP scripture, COLDS changing it's views (I believe) to be more inline with CoC's views

Anyway, it just strikes me that COLDS is coming around to the CoC's teachings.

[_Tator]

Anyway, it just strikes me that COLDS is coming around to the CoC's teachings.

Seems to me they have to, their position is indefensible. The Re-org church just realized that fact earlier than the SLC church. I do believe it will happen but it will be at a snails pace and yes, there will be slime.

[_Fence Sitter]

The RLDS leaders typically were formally trained in theology and had spent their academic careers associating with other religious beliefs. This was a primary cause in their recognition of the indefensibility of certain positions that the LDS are now just moving toward. For an interesting paper on this subject see

http://gradworks.umi.com/3454158.pdf

HISTORICAL AMNESIA: CORPORATE IDENTITY AND COLLECTIVE MEMORY IN THE REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS, 1915-2001

[_CameronMO]

Thanks Tator and Fence Sitter. I started to read the paper, and got through about 20 pages, but I'll have to read it later. Definitely an interesting start to it, though. Seems like both churches have the same problem: Trying to explain away their founder, JSJr.

[_Nevo]

Anyway, it just strikes me that COLDS is coming around to the CoC's teachings.

I don't see it.

The Community of Christ currently allows polygamy, has women apostles, recognizes gay marriage, allows (non-celibate) gay ordination, downplays/dismisses the historicity of the Book of Mormon, allows (or will shortly allow) the consumption of alcohol, etc. I don't see the LDS Church moving toward any of these positions.

[_Fence Sitter]

Anyway, it just strikes me that COLDS is coming around to the CoC's teachings.

I don't see it.

The Community of Christ currently allows polygamy, has women apostles, recognizes gay marriage, allows (non-celibate) gay ordination, downplays/dismisses the historicity of the Book of Mormon, allows (or will shortly allow) the consumption of alcohol, etc. I don't see the LDS Church moving toward any of these positions.

While I don't see any of these particular items happening any time soon, don't you see movement in the direction of at least some of these positions? In my opinion the current LDS (SLC version) position on almost all of these issues has changed from what it was 50 years ago.

1. Polygamy is probably the hardest line at this point but the church is going to have to address it as it continues to expand into countries where it is legal. Certainly it is not unreasonable to think that there may be some sort of accommodation made towards people who want to become members in those countries and who are already polygamist, in the next 50 years or so.
2. The current movement toward women's rights within the church and the slight changes the church has made in those areas are obvious changes in the position of the church. Women apostles soon? No way, but again there has been change.
3.Clearly the approach the church is taking toward Gays is changing and currently it is well within belief that the church could recognize the secular marriage of gays, just not as a religious sacrament. We are already seeing celibate openly gay men being ordained and in minor leadership positions, something unthinkable just 30 years ago.
4. The fact a David Bokovoy can publish a book suggesting that some of the current cannon is pseudepigraphal suggests that even belief the historicity of the of the Book of Mormon is no longer necessary to retain membership. There has definitely been changes in this area. See also the recent revisions in the introductions to the Book of Mormon & PoGP.
5. I see no change in the belief and teachings about alcohol but I do note that there is starting to be a discussion about whether or not marijuana use is against the WoW.