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Old 08-28-2008, 02:59 AM
evangelical evangelical is offline
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RLDS is, I think, now called 'The Community of Christ'. Just as Protestantism has many denominations, so too for the Mormon faith. RLDS is the largest denomination after LDS. Whereas the LDS have a personal testimony that Thomas S. Monson is the direct successor of Joseph Smith (as modern prophet of the Church), RLDS have a personal testimony that another man is the direct successor. Do not quote me, but I believe the original divergence was over Brigham Young (LDS believing God told them he was the second modern prophet and RLDS believing God told them another man). Both groups accept the same standard works (Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants). The major difference between LDS and RLDS, to the best of my understanding, is disagreement over who holds the keys of authority for the Church. I was told by an LDS missionary that the LDS faith considers RLDS to be apostates. I was told by an RLDS man that they used to say the same thing about LDS but now hold them as brothers. Neither of those statements where official Church declarations so there may be in house debate on this point.
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