RLDs

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) is a denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement. It traces its origins to followers of Joseph Smith III, the son of Joseph Smith Jr., after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844. While most Latter Day Saints moved west with Brigham Young, a faction in the Midwest maintained the belief that Smith III was his father’s rightful successor. The group formally reorganized as a church in the 1860s and used the name RLDS to distinguish itself from the church led by Brigham Young.

Historically, the RLDS Church has emphasized restoring early principles of the Latter Day Saint movement, while asserting ongoing revelation through its leaders. Its scriptural canon includes the Bible and the Book of Mormon, along with other standard works associated with the Latter Day Saint tradition. The church is governed by a First Presidency, a Council of Twelve Apostles, and other councils, with a president serving as a spiritual and organizational leader. Worship and ordinances typically reflect Latter Day Saint practice, including baptism and temple-related rites, though the church has developed its own distinct organizational and liturgical expressions over time.

In 2001, the denomination adopted the formal name Community of Christ to reflect a broader ecumenical mission, while RLDS remained a common historical designation. The church is headquartered in Independence, Missouri, with a presence in North America and around the world through missions and congregations. As a distinct though related branch of the Latter Day Saint movement, it maintains historical ties to its origins while pursuing its own theological and social development.