Image courtesy of cofchrist.org
Through the tumult of the LDS Church’s recent policy updates regarding same-sex couples and families, I have seen many friends on social media express their determination to either resign their membership or look to the Community of Christ church as an alternative place to worship. For those who are considering the latter, I offer my brief thoughts (expanded from a response expressed on a friend’s Facebook wall) [1]:
That the Community of Christ has transcended the history of its origin is something to be admired.
We LDS are somewhat like the modern Orthodox Jew: participating in the world while clinging to every word of Moses. The Community of Christ is more like the Reformed Jew: respecting the spirit of their heritage, but focusing less on the Law and more on the message of shalom.
Image courtesy of LDS.org
Temples remain an important aspect of both traditions, but where LDS temples are largely focused on ordinances relating to the hereafter (for both the living and the deceased), the Community of Christ temple is largely focused on instruction for the living; where Latter-day Saints practice proxy work in their temples with hope for the universal redemption of mankind, the Community of Christ offers in their temple a daily prayer for peace with hope that justice may be found on the earth today. The angel Moroni stoically stands atop LDS temples sounding his horn for the world to hear the everlasting gospel; and while too many of my LDS friends have mocked the “crooked spire” of the Community of Christ temple, their nautilus-inspired pinnacle gracefully ascends towards the heavens and is perhaps even more inspiring from the inside while gazing upward (both literally and metaphorically).
Image courtesy of sourceanddesign.com
As someone who is in the field of history, I do not believe that history helps us find “truth” as much as it helps us to understand change. If it is the truth you seek, you are better off looking to poetry, literature, the arts, and acts of devotion—expressions that transcend the limitations of our humanity. I agree with the Jewish scholar who taught that if it is God you seek, you will find Him in the faces of other people.
I think that the Community of Christ embraces this, and as someone who still considers myself on the orthodox side of Mormonism, I offer them my love, admiration, and friendship. Shabbat shalom—may peace be with you on this holy day.
[1] The Community of Christ church has created a website specifically for Latter-day Saints who wish to learn more about their history and beliefs. They do not actively proselytize to Latter-day Saints. For more information, see www.latter-dayseekers.org.