The history of the Community of Christ covers a period of approximately 200 years. The church's early history traces to the "grove experience" of a young boy named Joseph Smith, Jr., who prayed in the woods near his home in Manchester Township, New York in the early 1800's. Several accounts of this experience have surfaced over the years. Most of the accounts share a common narrative indicating that when he went to the woods to pray, he experienced a period of encountering evil or despair, but then experienced an epiphany or vision in which he came to know and understand God's goodness. Many years later he founded a Christian church on April 6, 1830. Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA. Dedicated 1994 RLDS redirects here. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Manchester is a town located in Ontario County, New York. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

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Latter Day Saint Movement

Latter Day Saint movement

Denominations Mormonism · Latter Day Saint Mormonism and Christianity The original Nauvoo Temple of the Latter Day Saint movement built in Nauvoo, Illinois. ... The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement which began in the early 19th century and is generally considered to be founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Mormonism is a term used to describe religious, ideological, and cultural aspects of the various Latter Day Saint churches. ... A Latter Day Saint is an adherent of the Latter Day Saint movement, a group of religions tracing their heritage to the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Mormonism and historic Christianity have had an uneasy relationship with each other since shortly after Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Movement history

Church of Christ · Succession crisis LDS Church history Community of Christ history

Latter Day Saint texts

Book of Mormon · Book of Commandments Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible Doctrine & Covenants · Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

Significant leaders

Joseph Smith, Jr. · Oliver Cowdery Sidney Rigdon · Brigham Young Joseph Smith III · James Strang

Unique beliefs

Views on Godhead · Views on Jesus Priesthood · Articles of Faith · Restoration Mormonism and Judaism · Temples

The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement within Christian Restorationism beginning in the early 19th century that led to the set of doctrines, practices, and cultures called Mormonism and to the existence of numerous Latter Day Saint churches. ... The Church of Christ was the original name given to the church formally organized by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Succession Crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement occurred after the violent death of the movements founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is shared by the larger Latter Day Saint movement, which originated in upstate New York under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Book of Mormon (originally, The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi) is one of the sacred texts of the Latter Day Saint movement, named after the prophet/historian Mormon, who according to the text compiled most... The Book of Commandments is among the most rare and valuable books in American history because the original printing was almost entirely destroyed by a mob. ... The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, also called the Inspired Version of the Bible or the JST, is a version of the Bible dictated by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Doctrine and Covenants The Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes referred to as the D&C) is a part of the open scriptural canon of Mormonism. ... The Book of Abraham is a text published by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses of Pearl of Great Price, see the Pearl of Great Price page. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Photograph of Oliver Cowdery, taken c. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Joseph Smith III — Leader of the 1860 Reorganization of the Latter Day Saint church. ... 1856 daguerreotype of James Strang, taken on Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, by J. Atkyn, one of his assassins. ... Mormonism, depending on era and denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, has accommodated a diverse range of views of the concept of the Christian Godhead including forms of modalism, binitarianism, tritheism, henotheism, and trinitarianism. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority to act in the name of God, including the performance of sacred rites and ordinances, and the performance of miracles. ... In Mormonism, the Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Restoration was a period in its early history during which a number of events occurred that were understood to be necessary to restore the early Christian church as demonstrated in the New Testament, and to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of... This article on Mormonism and Judaism describes the views of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, with respect to Jews and Judaism, and includes comparisons of the Mormon and Jewish faiths. ... The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ...

Early history

The early history of Community of Christ is shared with other denominations in the Latter Day Saint movement, which originated in upstate New York under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. With the assistance of Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer, Smith dictated and published works of scripture believed by followers to be inspired, and formed a new Church of Christ. This church grew rapidly, especially after the conversion of Sidney Rigdon and many of the Campbellites in the Kirtland area. Their strong beliefs, including a revealing God and their close community often seemed peculiar or even threatening to outsiders. Regularly meeting opposition from their neighbors, the early Latter Day Saints established and were driven from several gathering places including Kirtland, Ohio, Independence, Missouri, Far West, Missouri and finally Nauvoo, Illinois. See History of the Latter Day Saint movement. Palmyra is a town located in Wayne County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 7,672. ... Photograph of Oliver Cowdery, taken c. ... John Whitmer (1802–1878) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. ... The Church of Christ was the original name given to the church formally organized by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Disciples of Christ, also known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or simply as the Christian Church, is a denomination of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell of Pennsylvania and Barton W. Stone and Virginia Stone of Kentucky. ... Kirtland is a city in Lake County, Ohio, USA. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census. ... Independence is a city in Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. ... Far West, Missouri, was a Latter Day Saint (Mormon) settlement in Caldwell County, Missouri. ... Nauvoo (נָאווּ to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew NÃ¥vu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement within Christian Restorationism beginning in the early 19th century that led to the set of doctrines, practices, and cultures called Mormonism and to the existence of numerous Latter Day Saint churches. ...

The history of the two largest Latter Day Saint denominations began to diverge with the murder of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith Jr. on June 27, 1844 in Carthage, Illinois and have led to a number of doctrinal differences between the LDS and Community of Christ. Daguerreotype which some experts believe to be an original 1843 photograph of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Carthage is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... The Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are two separate denominations that share a common heritage in the “Church of Christ” founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Period of disorganization

After Smith was killed in a jail at Carthage, Illinois, the movement fell into confusion and disorganization over the question of succession. Several leaders emerged with claims to the church's presidency and this led to the formation of several Latter Day Saint factions. The largest group of Mormons followed Brigham Young, who led them to the Great Basin area (in what is now Utah) as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) Other factional leaders included: Sidney Rigdon, James J. Strang, Lyman Wight, Alpheus Cutler, William Smith, and David Whitmer. In the aftermath of the disorganization of the church the term "Mormon" gradually came to be used primarily in reference to those persons who joined with (and currently belong to) the group that followed Brigham Young to Utah. Carthage is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... The Succession Crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement occurred after the assassination of the movements founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the most-recognized architectural symbol of Mormonism For other uses, see Mormon (disambiguation). ... Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Drainage map showing the Great Basin in orange Various Definitions of the Great Basin (NPS) The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... The early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is shared by the larger Latter Day Saint movement, which originated in upstate New York under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1856 daguerreotype of James Strang, taken on Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, by J. Atkyn, one of his assassins. ... Lyman Wight Lyman Wight (1796–1858) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. ... Alpheus Cutler (1784–1864), an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement, and reorganizer of the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite). ... William Smith (also found as William B. Smith) (1811–1893) born in Royalton, Vermont, was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. ... David Whitmer (1805–1888) is remembered in the Latter Day Saint movement as the most interviewed of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormons Golden Plates. ...

Reorganization of the church

Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, USA. Dedicated 1836

After Joseph Smith's death, some Latter Day Saints believed that Smith had designated his eldest son, Joseph Smith III, as successor and some of these waited for young Joseph to take up his father's mantle. However, young Joseph was only 11 years old at the time of his father's death — his mother Emma Hale Smith and their family remained in Nauvoo, rather than moving to join any of the departing groups. Image File history File links KirtlandTemple_Ohio_USA.jpg‎ Kirtland Temple: original photo by John Hamer. ... The Kirtland Temple is a registered National Historic Landmark in Kirtland, Ohio, USA, on the eastern edge of the Cleveland metropolitan area. ... Joseph Smith III — Leader of the 1860 Reorganization of the Latter Day Saint church. ... Emma Hale Smith Emma Hale Smith (10 July 1804 - 30 April 1879) was the wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

In the 1850s, groups of Midwestern Latter Day Saints who were unaffiliated with other Latter Day Saint factions (or who had left such affiliations) began to come together. Leaders including Jason W. Briggs and Zenos H. Gurley, Sr. began to call for the creation of a New Organization of the Latter Day Saint movement. They invited young Joseph III to lead their New Organization and he accepted only after he believed he received a personal spiritual confirmation that this was the appropriate course of action. At a conference on April 6, 1860 at Amboy, Illinois, Joseph III formally accepted the leadership of what became known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. William Marks, former Stake President of Nauvoo served as Joseph III's counselor in the reorganized First Presidency. // Events and Trends Technology Production of steel revolutionised by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman fractionates petroleum by distillation for the first time First transatlantic telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed by Elisha Otis Science Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species, putting forward the theory of evolution... Jason W. Briggs (June 25, 1821 – January 11, 1899) was an important leader in the history of the Latter Day Saint movement. ... Zenos Hovey Gurley, Sr. ... The Amboy Conference was the setting of the official re-organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints into the Latter Day Saint denomination now known as the Community of Christ. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... Amboy is a city located in Lee County, Illinois. ... William Marks, (November 15, 1792 – May 22, 1872) was born in Rutland, Vermont to Cornwall (or Cornell) and Sarah Goodrich Marks. ... A stake is an administrative unit composed of multiple congregrations in sects of the Latter Day Saint movement. ...

Presidency of Joseph Smith III

Initially, Joseph III continued to live in Nauvoo, but over time he determined its relative isolation hampered his administrative duties. He moved to Plano, Illinois, where the church's print house was established and this served as the headquarters of the church. Joseph III and his brothers, Frederick G. W., Alexander Hale, and David Hyrum served many missions for the church, gathering old Latter Day Saints into the Reorganization. Plano is a city located in Kendall County, Illinois. ... Alexander Hale Smith (1838–1909). ... David Hyrum Smith was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement and the youngest son of Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

As the church grew, many members were eager to gather together and live some of the teachings of the early church. Although Joseph III avoided calling for a new gathering place, he supported the efforts of members who founded a town called Lamoni in southern Iowa. Smith III eventually relocated to Lamoni, which became the headquarters of the church. Lamoni is a city located in Decatur County, Iowa. ...

During the late 19th century, Smith III and the church were involved in the Kirtland Temple Suit, which attempted to gain clear title for the church over Mormonism's original temple. In 1880, an Ohio court ruled that the Reorganized church was the legal successor to the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but title of the temple was gained by means of adverse possession. Smith III and the church also were involved in the Temple Lot Suit, which eventually resulted in clearing the title to a portion of the original Independence temple lot for another Latter Day Saint denomination, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). The Kirtland Temple is a registered National Historic Landmark in Kirtland, Ohio, USA, on the eastern edge of the Cleveland metropolitan area. ... In common law, adverse possession is the name given to the process by which title to anothers real property is acquired without compensation, by, as the name suggests, holding the property in a manner that conflicts with the true owners rights for a specified period of time. ... The headquarters building of the Church of Christ as seen from the original temple site designated by Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Late in life, Smith III moved to Independence, Missouri, which his father had designated as the "centerplace" for the City of Zion. He died on December 10, 1914, having led the Reorganized church for 54 years. The original plat of the City of Zion (Independence, Missouri) has been the basis for the plans of over 500 communities. ... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, 21 days before the next year. ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Presidencies of Frederick M. Smith and Israel A. Smith

Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, USA

Joseph Smith III's son, Frederick Madison Smith, was accepted in 1915 as his successor as president. During Frederick M.'s presidency, the faith moved its headquarters to Independence, Missouri. Frederick M's bold vision for the growing church included the construction of a massive World Headquarters building, known as the Auditorium. Frederick M. also attempted to impose a greater degree of centralization on the church's administration by issuing the controversial doctrine of Supreme Directional Control, which led some members to leave the church and join the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). The Community of Christ Auditorium, original photo by John Hamer File links The following pages link to this file: Community of Christ Auditorium (Community of Christ) Categories: GFDL 1. ... Frederick Madison Smith (January 21, 1874 - March 20, 1946) was an American religious leader and author, president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (renamed in 2001 the Community of Christ) from 1915 until his death. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Independence is a city in Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. ... The Auditorium is a house of worship and office building located on the greater Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri. ... Supreme Directional Control was a controversial concept of theocratic democracy developed in the 1920s in the Community of Christ in support of President Frederick Madison Smiths assertion of ecclesiastical authority over management and policy-making of the church, especially in the periods between World Conferences. ...

Frederick M. Smith devoted much energy to the "Cause of Zion", calling for a "bureau of research and service" to effect the gathering of RLDS Church members to the Kansas City area, as well to conceptualize and implement an "order of economic development." Frederick M. and several presiding bishops that served during his administration advocated the development of cooperative employee-owned enterprises as a key part of the RLDS Church's economic development strategy for the Centerplace. Advocacy of Frederick M.'s positions on "zionic development" continued after his passing in 1946. The late Raymond Zinser, the late James Christenson and Wilford Winholtz of Harvest Hills, an RLDS cooperative community, are of note among RLDS advocates of zionic development of a cooperative social economy for the Kansas City region.

After Frederick Smith's death in 1946 he was succeeded by his brother Israel A. Smith, who presided over an optimistic era of post-War growth. Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Israel Alexander Smith (February 2, 1876 – June 14, 1958) was the third son of Joseph Smith III and a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Presidencies of W. Wallace Smith and Wallace B. Smith

After Israel A. Smith's unexpected death in 1958, he was succeeded by his brother W. Wallace Smith, the third son of Joseph III to become church president. Soon after coming into office, W. Wallace appointed Graceland University professor Roy Cheville to be Presiding Patriarch of the church. This move was controversial because the office had previously been held within the Smith family according to the doctrine of Lineal Succession. 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... W. Wallace Smith was Prophet and President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ), from 1958–1978. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... Roy A. Cheville (October 2, 1897–April 1986) was a religious leader, theologian and educator in the Community of Christ. ... The Presiding Patriarch is a leadership office in the Latter Day Saint movement. ... Lineal Succession is a doctrine in the Community of Christ, a faction of Mormonism, whereby certain church offices are held by right of inheritance. ...

Prior to 1960, much of the church’s identity had been tied to its differences with the much larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. W. Wallace Smith traveled around the world on a missionary tour in 1960, an event that is seen as having greatly impacted the church. The church’s proselytizing with other world cultures in countries outside North America forced reassesment and gradual evolution of denominational practices and beliefs. The church expanded internationally during the presidency of W. Wallace Smith, especially in Africa and Asia. Apostle Charles Neff, a leading church missionary, pushed fellow leaders and field ministers towards a relativistic doctrinal viewpoint motivated by a combination of practical missionary concerns and an attitude of theological openness. These significant moves of the Community of Christ towards alignment with liberal Protestant doctrine were influenced in part by many in church leadership who pursued theological studies at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, and elsewhere. They were also influenced by Roy Cheville, an educator and theologian whose influence helped lay the foundation for an era of change. The title Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can refer to: the Church of Christ (Mormonism), the first church organization within the Latter Day Saint movement; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement; the Church of Jesus... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... Charles Daniel Neff (24 March 1922–16 July 1991) was a missionary who had a great impact on the mission and theology of the Community of Christ church. ... Saint Paul School of Theology is a school of higher learning in Kansas City, Missouri. ... Roy A. Cheville (October 2, 1897–April 1986) was a religious leader, theologian and educator in the Community of Christ. ...

In 1976, W. Wallace Smith designated his son Wallace B. Smith as his successor. Wallace B. assumed the presidency in 1978 after a two-year "internship." W. Wallace then retired and became the church's first "president emeritus" until his death in 1989. Wallace B. introduced a program of church growth called "Faith to Grow." This program identified seven commissions to be implemented in most congregations (leadership, stewardship, worship, Christian education, pastoral care, Zionic relations and missionary). He also continued the progressive trend in the church and first suggested the change in its identity. 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Wallace B. Smith (born 1929) was Prophet and President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ), from 1978–1996. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

In 1984, Wallace B. presented an inspired document, now Section 156 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which called on the church to extended priesthood ordination to women for the first time. The revelatory document also called upon the church to build a temple, dedicated to "peace, reconciliation and healing of the spirit" in Independence. When the temple was completed and dedicated on 17 April 1994, the headquarters of the church was transferred there from the Auditorium. Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA. Dedicated 1994 The Independence Temple is a house of worship and education dedicated to the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit. It dominates the skyline of Independence, Missouri, USA, headquarters of the Community of Christ. ... April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (108th in leap years). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...

Some groups perceived these changes as a departure from the teachings of their scriptures, and questioned whether these changes are in accordance with God's will. Many members refused to accept the changes and joined Restoration Branches. (See RLDS Restoration Branches ). To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Presidency of W. Grant McMurray

Although the previous pattern had been lineal succession to the presidency through the Smith patriarchal line, Wallace B. Smith designated W. Grant McMurray as his successor. (See Lineal Succession.) McMurray had served in the Church's historical department since he was 26 years old, until his call as Church secretary in 1982. McMurray became the church's prophet/president in 1996 and Wallace B. became "president emeritus." W. Grant McMurray, (born 1945), Prophet and President of the Community of Christ 1996–2004. ... Lineal Succession is a doctrine in the Community of Christ, a faction of Mormonism, whereby certain church offices are held by right of inheritance. ...

In 1997, McMurray launched the Community of Christ into a three-year formal period of transformation, programmatically entitled “Transformation 2000,” that he described as the culmination of a series of changes dating back to 1960. McMurray identified these changes as a movement away from a belief that the denomination was “the restored church” and towards an admittedly unique position in mainstream Christianity.

As the first president of the Community of Christ since its foundation in 1860 that was not a direct descendent of Joseph Smith, Jr., McMurray sought to formalize changes in thinking about prophetic leadership, the historical basis of the Book of Mormon, and the concept that priesthood authority had been restored in the 1830’s after centuries of apostasy. During his presidency, the church moved from close communion to open communion and McMurray even began to open the door to priesthood ordination for practicing homosexuals, something which he acknowledged he was aware was occurring anyway. Backlash on this issue forced McMurray to reaffirm the official policy of the Standing High Council prohibiting ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians. However, the church allows those who were ordained against policy, to continue in priesthood office. The Standing High Council of the Community of Christ is comprised of 12 persons holding the office of High Priest. ...

At a World Conference in 2000, the church overwhelmingly approved its leader's proposal to change its name from the "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" to the "Community of Christ", which more clearly defines the purpose of the church. This change occurred on April 6, 2001. They retained ownership of the name "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" for legal reasons. During McMurray's presidency, the Community of Christ launched the Community of Christ Seminary which focuses on practical Christian ministries taught from a progressive Christian theological viewpoint. In Mormonism, a general conference is a meeting open to all members of a particular Latter Day Saint denomination. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... This article is about the year 2001. ... The Community of Christ Seminary at the Independence Campus of Graceland University is the official and only seminary of the Community of Christ. ...

On November 29, 2004, W. Grant McMurray resigned as Prophet-President, stating that he had made "inappropriate choices" and under the circumstances it would not be appropriate for him to designate a successor. The details of the reasons for his decision were said to be personal and the governing bodies of the church determined to keep them confidential. A spokesperson for the church said that the resignation was not for misappropriation of church funds or other church-related issues, but of a personal matter. The two remaining members of the First Presidency, President Kenneth N. Robinson and President Peter A. Judd, continued to function in their council's leadership role. November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... W. Grant McMurray, (born 1945), Prophet and President of the Community of Christ 1996–2004. ... In Mormonism, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy of several Latter Day Saint denominations. ...

Presidency of Stephen M. Veazey

Presidents Robinson and Judd announced that the Council of Twelve Apostles, in conjunction with the church's other leadership quorums, would prayerfully consider who should succeed McMurray. On March 7, 2005, the Twelve announced their conviction that Stephen M. Veazey is called by God to be the next prophet-president of Community of Christ. A special World Conference that was convened in June 2005 sustained this call of Stephen M. Veazey to be president of the High Priesthood, prophet, and president of the church. On June 3, 2005 he was ordained to this office and submitted a letter of council to the church regarding the leading quorums, orders, and councils of the church. In the Community of Christ, The Council of Twelve Apostles are disciples who hold the priesthood office of Apostle, and are responsible for the evangelistic witness of the church. ... March 7 is the 66th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (67th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Stephen M. Veazey (born May 3, 1957) is the current Prophet-President of the Community of Christ headquartered in Independence, Missouri which has no affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. ... In Mormonism, General Conferences are church-wide meetings of individual Latter Day Saint denominations. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 3 is the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (155th in leap years), with 211 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 4 June 2005 after the approval of the calls of Ken Robinson and David Schaal to the First Presidency and counselors to the President, the First Presidency was reorganized by their ordinations to this office. June 4 is the 155th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (156th in leap years), with 210 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Stephen M. Veazey's first conference sermon as President called the church to be active disciples and to share the fullness of the peace of Christ. He encouraged members to embrace their differences and call each other, no matter how different in theological and moral views and understandings, sisters and brothers in Christ. Veazey's background as a career missionary and field minister for the church is unique when compared to previous presidents of the denomination. One of Veazey's first challenges was the need to assess the sustainability of deficit budgets adopted at previous World Conferences. On 14 June 2006, the church announced a new staff organizational structure designed to reduce costs and better align the World Church staff with the priorities and mission of the church. Approximately one-fourth of the headquarters and field staff positions were eliminated.^[1]

References

• Richard P. Howard, The Church Through the Years, (1992). Independence, Missouri: Herald House, Volume 1: Beginnings to 1860: ISBN 0-8309-0556-1 Volume 2: ISBN 0-8309-0629-0
• Paul M. Edwards, Our Legacy of Faith: A Brief History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (1991). Herald House, ISBN 0-8309-0594-4
• Roger D. Launius, Joseph III: Pragmatic Prophet, (1995). University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0-252-06515-8
• Inez Smith Davis, The Story of the Church: A History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and of Its Legal Successor, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (1934). 12th edition, 1981, Herald House, ISBN 0-8309-0188-4