dsaly1969
Member
I am a member of the Community of Christ and a former LDS (I was born and raised LDS). Remember the CoC (formerly RLDS) and the LDS only share the first 14 years of history and have had 150 years of separate development and evolution. The CoC has been working hard at becoming a peace and justice oriented church.
One big difference is that LDS views itself as the "one true church" while CoC tries to be a "true church" (which we view as encompassing Christians of all denominations and perhaps even faithful believers of other religions and people of good morals). This is a major reason why CoC is a much smaller church as most of us see little reason to "sheep-steal" folks from other churches and denominations. In the same way, the LDS focus on having the "Restored Gospel" while the CoC puts more focus on our distinctive vision of "Restoration Christianity" (where guidance by the Spirit is primary rather than sola scriptura as the Protestants or tradition like the Catholics). This "sola Spiritus" emphasis is what has caused the CoC to evolve its understanding and approach over time. (You can see this evolution quite clearly in the CoC edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.)
The biggest difference is that the CoC is noncreedal and continuing to move in a more theologically inclusive and progressive direction (this explains the decisions made at the recent USA National Conference). So there are a wide variety of views within the membership of CoC on such things as the Book of Mormon (a few view it as literal history, many view it as perhaps not literally true but containing some metaphorical spiritual truths, and some do not use it or believe in it at all - there is a similar range of views on the Bible itself) or the afterlife (the CoC evolved from a literal view of the Three Kingdoms to seeing it more as a metaphor) or Zion (again, evolved from a literal understanding of Zion as a "place" to a current understanding of Zion as a Way of Being when we follow the Law of Love taught by Jesus).
While CoC does have a temple, it is used just like the temple was in Kirtland for church gatherings, daily world peace prayers, interfaith and peace events. The CoC does not have baptisms for the dead, Endowments, garments, Temple weddings and sealings, etc. as these are part of the late Nauvoo-era esoteric teachings that RLDS explcitly rejected. RLDS was holding to the faith and practice primarily as practiced in the Kirtland era church. The RLDS was led first by Joseph Smith III (the son of Joseph Smith, Jr.) and Emma Smith (JS Jr.'s wife) was a member.
CoC congregations in the USA are generally much smaller than their LDS counterparts. Many are fewer than 50 members and many less than that because of little missionary work being done to expand US membership. In terms of Sunday services they are generally a kind of a cross between a traditional Protestant service (we use the Revised Common Lectionary) and a LDS Sacrament service. Services are generally led by a pastor who is an Elder (in the CoC the priesthood - both Aaronic and Melchizedec - is open to both adult men and women, although not every adult has a priesthood calling in the CoC - most are just laity - the LDS practice of giving priesthood to all male members evolved after Nauvoo and into Utah as a result of the introduction of Temple ordinances). Sacrament or Lord's Supper is done one Sunday per month (this was the Kirtland era practice) using prayers either exactly the same as you are used to or in a slightly modified, modernized form. Communion is open which means that any baptized Christian of any denomination may partake if they choose. It is typically bread and grape juice (not water). Most scripture readings focus on the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants (which is different from the LDS version as the CoC regularly adds new sections and sometimes removes sections which no longer speak to the current condition of the church). The BoM is seldom read on Sundays. The pastor or guest speaker will give a sermon so it is not all "lay-led" (but CoC pastors and most other priesthood holders are non-paid volunteers). Hymns are sung. Some CoC congregations are experimenting with more contemporary music and informal church service structure involving more small group discussions. Many CoC congregations will have a Sunday School - usually in small study group fashion before or after the service. Coffee and refreshments are often also available (the Word of Wisdom is seen as a word of advice and not as a commandment).
I hope this is helpful and informative.
One big difference is that LDS views itself as the "one true church" while CoC tries to be a "true church" (which we view as encompassing Christians of all denominations and perhaps even faithful believers of other religions and people of good morals). This is a major reason why CoC is a much smaller church as most of us see little reason to "sheep-steal" folks from other churches and denominations. In the same way, the LDS focus on having the "Restored Gospel" while the CoC puts more focus on our distinctive vision of "Restoration Christianity" (where guidance by the Spirit is primary rather than sola scriptura as the Protestants or tradition like the Catholics). This "sola Spiritus" emphasis is what has caused the CoC to evolve its understanding and approach over time. (You can see this evolution quite clearly in the CoC edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.)
The biggest difference is that the CoC is noncreedal and continuing to move in a more theologically inclusive and progressive direction (this explains the decisions made at the recent USA National Conference). So there are a wide variety of views within the membership of CoC on such things as the Book of Mormon (a few view it as literal history, many view it as perhaps not literally true but containing some metaphorical spiritual truths, and some do not use it or believe in it at all - there is a similar range of views on the Bible itself) or the afterlife (the CoC evolved from a literal view of the Three Kingdoms to seeing it more as a metaphor) or Zion (again, evolved from a literal understanding of Zion as a "place" to a current understanding of Zion as a Way of Being when we follow the Law of Love taught by Jesus).
While CoC does have a temple, it is used just like the temple was in Kirtland for church gatherings, daily world peace prayers, interfaith and peace events. The CoC does not have baptisms for the dead, Endowments, garments, Temple weddings and sealings, etc. as these are part of the late Nauvoo-era esoteric teachings that RLDS explcitly rejected. RLDS was holding to the faith and practice primarily as practiced in the Kirtland era church. The RLDS was led first by Joseph Smith III (the son of Joseph Smith, Jr.) and Emma Smith (JS Jr.'s wife) was a member.
CoC congregations in the USA are generally much smaller than their LDS counterparts. Many are fewer than 50 members and many less than that because of little missionary work being done to expand US membership. In terms of Sunday services they are generally a kind of a cross between a traditional Protestant service (we use the Revised Common Lectionary) and a LDS Sacrament service. Services are generally led by a pastor who is an Elder (in the CoC the priesthood - both Aaronic and Melchizedec - is open to both adult men and women, although not every adult has a priesthood calling in the CoC - most are just laity - the LDS practice of giving priesthood to all male members evolved after Nauvoo and into Utah as a result of the introduction of Temple ordinances). Sacrament or Lord's Supper is done one Sunday per month (this was the Kirtland era practice) using prayers either exactly the same as you are used to or in a slightly modified, modernized form. Communion is open which means that any baptized Christian of any denomination may partake if they choose. It is typically bread and grape juice (not water). Most scripture readings focus on the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants (which is different from the LDS version as the CoC regularly adds new sections and sometimes removes sections which no longer speak to the current condition of the church). The BoM is seldom read on Sundays. The pastor or guest speaker will give a sermon so it is not all "lay-led" (but CoC pastors and most other priesthood holders are non-paid volunteers). Hymns are sung. Some CoC congregations are experimenting with more contemporary music and informal church service structure involving more small group discussions. Many CoC congregations will have a Sunday School - usually in small study group fashion before or after the service. Coffee and refreshments are often also available (the Word of Wisdom is seen as a word of advice and not as a commandment).
I hope this is helpful and informative.
