September 7 1998

ARTICLE TOOLS

Find similar articles E-mail this page

Several thousand members have left the Independence, Missouri-based Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) due to recent steps taken to become more ecumenical and theologically moderate.

After the death of founder Joseph Smith in 1844, most Latter-day Saints (Mormons) followed Brigham Young to Utah, where their descendants have experienced strong growth (CT, June 15, 1998, p. 25). But more than 200 splinter groups claim the right to prophetic leadership, with the 250,000-member RLDS being the largest offshoot.

Jim Cable, RLDS communications director, says thousands of members have quit attending over issues such as presidential succession, more open Communion, and especially ordination of women. Rather than formally withdrawing their membership, however, Cable says former attendees have started their own congregations, which they believe have retained Smith's original intention. Those spinoffs have names such as the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Church of Jesus Christ Center Branch Restoration.

The 1996 appointment of W. Grant McMurray marked the first time since the RLDS organized in 1860—when Smith's son was old enough to become leader—that a descendant had not led the church. Smith's great-grandson, Wallace B. Smith—who had no male heir—chose McMurray as his successor. McMurray earned his master of divinity degree at a United Methodist seminary. In an effort to increase membership, the RLDS has abandoned language that defined the church as the truest reflection of Smith's vision. The RLDS, with its more Trinitarian theology, no longer emphasizes beliefs that make it distinct from Protestants. "When you go into a Buddhist culture, a Hindu culture, ...