Community of Christ’s triennial world conference, held in April, 2010, in Independence, Missouri, held the potential to throw the church into schism. Two mojor social issues, same-sex marriage and the nature of baptism, had the church’s membership polarized. President/Prophet Stephen M. Veazey brought to the conference a document which became section 164 of the Doctrine …
Tag: Independence
SL07115: HARVEST HILLS AT THIRTY-FIVE
HARVEST HILLS AT THIRTY-FIVE This presentation celebrates the thirty-fifth anniversary of Harvest Hills, an intentional, pilot community in Independence, Missouri, founded by members of the Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS church). It will give an overview of Harvest Hills’ history and philosophy, including the RLDS/COC concept of Zion as it was expanded by later …
THE LAST SMITH PROPHET: WALLACE B. SMITH AND THE END OF THE RLDS CHURCH AS A SECT
Wallace B. Smith, great-grandson of Joseph the martyr, was president of the RLDS Church from 1978 until 1996. During Smith’s eighteen-year tenure, the RLDS Church trans-formed from a sect to a denomination. This shift can be seen in five innovations that occurred through his leadership. Best known is the ordination of women, which began 17 …
Little Mormon Magazines: Sinking, Swimming, And Treading Water
Little Mormon Magazines: Sinking, Swimming, And Treading Water The eagerness of Mormons to communicate about issues of interest has led to the launching of many special-interest periodicals, beginning in 1833 with the Evening and Morning Star in Independence, Missouri. But not all of these little ships make it past shoals to the deep ocean of …