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Conference tecrus::mormonism

Title:The Glory of God is Intelligence.
Moderator:BSS::RONEY
Created:Thu Jan 28 1988
Last Modified:Fri Apr 25 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:460
Total number of notes:6198

157.0. "Reorganized LDS Church" by NWD002::JOLMAMA (Never plunge The Blob) Thu Aug 11 1988 18:49

    
    
    Having recently heard reference to the Reformed Latter Day Saints
    (RDLS), I thought this would be an interesting topic for this notes file.
                                                                   
    For starters, I am interested in knowing:
                                          
    What is the relationship between RLDS and the LDS Church?
                                          
    Why is there a reformed Church?        
                                          
    Where do the two doctrines, convenants, and theology agree and disagree?  
                                                               
    Does the LDS Church hold these people to be Mormons? 
                     
    
          
    
    
                             
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157.1Reorganized LDS ChurchRIPPLE::KOTTERRIRich (Welcome Back) KotterFri Aug 12 1988 08:4248
    Re: Note 157.0 by NWD002::JOLMAMA 
                                               
    Hi Matt,
    
    I'll take a stab at some of your questions:
        
>   Having recently heard reference to the Reformed Latter Day Saints
>   (RDLS), I thought this would be an interesting topic for this notes file.
>                                                                  
>   For starters, I am interested in knowing:
>                                         
>   What is the relationship between RLDS and the LDS Church?
    
    The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed
    after Joseph Smith was killed by the mob. It was formed by some of the
    church members who felt that the subsequent presidents of the church
    should be Joseph Smith's descendants. They did not accept Brigham Young
    as the next president of the church, and they did not migrate to the
    Salt Lake Valley with the body of the saints, but remained behind. 
    
    The LDS church holds that when one president of the church dies, the
    senior apostle becomes the next president of the church. This is also
    similar to the Biblical pattern. When Christ ascended into heaven,
    Peter, the senior apostle, became the presiding church leader. 
    
>   Where do the two doctrines, convenants, and theology agree and
    disagree?  
    
    I don't know all of the differences, but besides the question of
    succession in the presidency of the church, another difference is that
    they have evolved to include a paid clergy, where the LDS church does
    not. They do not accept some of the revelations the LDS church does,
    and I believe they have some new ones of their own. They do believe in
    the Book of Mormon, and accept Joseph Smith as a prophet. 
    
>   Does the LDS Church hold these people to be Mormons? 
    
    The term 'Mormon' is a colloquial expression, anyway. I suppose anybody
    who wants to call themselves a Mormon can do it. We do not hold them to
    be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which we
    regard to be the only church with direct authority from God. We regard
    them as an apostate break off of the church, as are some other
    organizations. We do not recognize their authority as being from God. 
    
    Perhaps others can also share their insight into these questions.
    
    Rich
                                                                          
157.2CACHE::LEIGHWed Aug 17 1988 18:0210
A few other differences between the LDS and the RLDS in theology are 

   o polygamy (up to 1890 that is)

   o temple work for the dead

   o temple marriage for eternity


Allen
157.3LAIDBK::FRIEDMAN_MIDon't be happy; worry.Tue Jan 09 1990 00:583
    A recent news story told of killings by a cult that were members
    of the "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."
    What is the relationship, if any, of this cult to the true Mormon church?
157.4DNEAST::STTHOMAS_KEVTue Jan 09 1990 08:1816
    The cult or the RLDS? No, the RLDS is not a cult, just a breakoff of
    the LDS church. Of course, the RLDS considers us a breakoff group
    from them. As for the cult, I'm sure the RLDS church doesn't sanction
    such activity and will issue some disclaimer and condemn the actions
    of this group, just as we would had it happened in our own church.
    Maybe they were descendants of the Danites????
    
    The RLDS church itself was formed over a period of time, from members
    that were disaffected from the LDS church. Emma Smith, the prophet's wife 
    and her children, were members. Indeed, Joseph Smith III, Joseph's son 
    was the RLDS leader for many years, followed by his descendants.
    The LDS and RLDS today have a good relationship with one another and
    are involved in much historical activity in restoring the early church
    artifacts, buildings, etc.
    
    Kevin  
157.5MIZZOU::SHERMANECADSR::SHERMAN 235-8176, 223-3326Tue Jan 09 1990 16:307
    According to a report I heard, the RLDS church claims no connection to
    the cult other than that the members of the cult were at one time
    members of the RLDS church.  In particular, a spokesman described some
    of the beliefs of the cult as being foreign to those of the RLDS
    church.
    
    Steve
157.6It's a shameTOMCAT::PRESTONTaphonomy R UsThu Jan 11 1990 13:0616
    I heard that the only connection with the RLDS was that the leader of
    the cult was a "disaffected" former RLDS minister, which means only
    that he used to be RLDS, nothing more. It's too bad that decent
    religious groups have to suffer from any association - no matter how
    tennuous - with dangerous kooks. It reinforces too many people's idea
    that "religion" is connected with mental instability.
    
    BTW, for what it's worth, as I understand it the RLDS parted from the
    LDS over the issue of succession following Joseph Smith's death. They
    claim that Smith had intended that his son succeed him, which was
    opposed by Brigham Young and others, forcing a parting of the ways.
    The only other distinction that I'm aware of is that the RLDS do not 
    accept all of the books considered scripture by the LDS. Book of Abraham, 
    I think. Somebody correct me if I have it wrong. 
    
    Ed
157.7CSC32::S_JOHNSONI sing tenor - 10 or 12 notes off.Thu Jan 11 1990 13:2811
    If I remember correctly, their version of Doctrine & Covenants is
    different than ours.
    
    Why is it that reporters state what an individual's religion is when
    they commit a bad crime if they are mormon or catholic or something
    like that?  For example, they might say an ex-mormon bishop did this,
    but they never say an inactive 7th day adventist did that?  I don't
    want to offend any 7th day adventists out there, but it was the only
    other faith I could think of.

    scott
157.8MIZZOU::SHERMANECADSR::SHERMAN 235-8176, 223-3326Thu Jan 11 1990 23:597
    re: -.1
    
    'Cause it's good press ...  They're just responding to the public
    interest.  I think that there is a lot of curiosity on the part of
    the public as to what Mormons really are.  Can't blame 'em.
    
    Steve
157.9Pardon my cynicismLESNET::KUSNETZKYDan, DTN 223-3839, ESB Technology ConsultantFri Jan 12 1990 15:5121
    <Set cynicism on>

    A major misconception many operate under is news organizations are in
    the business of providing a clear, complete, and unbiased accounting of
    events.  In actuality, all media organizations are in the business of
    making money by selling advertising time or space, depending upon the
    media. 
    
    Their main business goal is acquiring and keeping an audience. The
    larger the audience the greater amount of money an advertiser pays.
    It is in their best interest to make events sound as sensational
    as possible without actually lying.  Some organizations come awfully
    close to the edge every day.
    
    I've found viewing news organizations as entertainment that vaguely
    describes events best.  EVERYTHING said on the news needs to be
    carefully scrutinized in the light of spirit. 
   
    <Set cynicism off>
    
    	Dan Kusnetzky (Ex News Director of several radio stations)
157.10DNEAST::STTHOMAS_KEVTue Jan 16 1990 16:1514
    
    re: .6
    
    Ed,
    
    You're well on the mark about the RLDS and their beliefs. Bloodline
    was in the picture as far as succession goes on the RLDS side. 
    Interestingly enough, even B. Young himself acknowledged Joseph III's
    place in the grand scheme of things, and hoped that the would return
    to the fold, If righteous, Jos. III, may well have been prophet some 
    day. But that's a different subject, and is best left out of this
    forum.
    
    Kevin