Can someone explain the differences between LDS and RLDS?

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Brenton

You'll notice if you click on the links in the "notes" of the first in those links at the List of sects in the Latter Day Saint movement, that the LDS church comes up first.

That is because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in Salt Lake City, is one of the sects, or what I call a schism. It just happens to be the largest one.

But, really, it's all about faith.
You have to ask God what is true, and to find out for yourself through him.

So say all of the members of the other schisms.

It's really interesting how some schisms use the Book of Mormon as scripture, but that is where the similarity stops.

I saw a television special about some of these groups years ago, so I don't remember it well. I just remember seeing "Read the Book of Mormon" in a car window of a family who was, I believe, a member of the Temple Lot schism. (I know I should look this stuff up to verify it before posting, but really, I wouldn't even know where to begin. So take it for what it is worth.)

They firmly believed in the BoM, but that is about the only thing it had in common with the Salt Lake-based Church.

I think all of the schisms are interesting, but I especially find The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Strangites group fascinating, as I had no idea the Church Strang founded still existed. Yet it has a fairly nice website, and seems to have a small, but committed, membership.

Elphaba

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

They firmly believed in the BoM, but that is about the only thing it had in common with the Salt Lake-based Church.

Elphaba

The defense of polygamy helped shape a lot of our theology. Those branches of Mormonism that did not have to defend polygamy took a different course.

[scripturesearcher]

Originally Posted by Moksha

The defense of polygamy helped shape a lot of our theology. Those branches of Mormonism that did not have to defend polygamy took a different course.

It seems like the major differences are related to who succeeded Joseph Smith as the new prophet.
My understanding of the restoration process was that Joseph Smith reorganized the one true church into a highly organized structure.
Did the prophet Joseph Smith ever give any guidance of who would replace him once he was gone?

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by scripturesearcher

It seems like the major differences are related to who succeeded Joseph Smith as the new prophet.
My understanding of the restoration process was that Joseph Smith reorganized the one true church into a highly organized structure.
Did the prophet Joseph Smith ever give any guidance of who would replace him once he was gone?

Yes he did, but unfortunately it was not consistent. At different times, he:

1) Gave a blessing to his son Joseph (III), saying he would become the prophet in due time,

2) Declared his youngest son David (who was born after his martyrdom) would lead the Church ...and ...

3) Taught that the keys were the thing to follow and that the 12 apostles had all the keys.


HiJolly

[evangelical]

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.