What is the former name of Community of Christ?

Historical Overview

The former name of Community of Christ is the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly abbreviated as RLDS). This religious body originated within the broader Latter Day Saint movement that began in the early nineteenth century. Following the death of Joseph Smith Jr. in 1844, disputes arose over leadership and direction. A group of believers ultimately reorganized under Joseph Smith III, the son of Joseph Smith Jr., thus taking the distinctive name “Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” in 1860.

The group’s headquarters remain in Independence, Missouri, and they trace their early organizational phases through various historical documents and personal testimonies. These include minutes of foundational conferences, early membership records, and published writings such as issues of the “Saints’ Herald,” an official RLDS periodical.

Although the organization emerged from the same historical roots as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (headquartered in Salt Lake City), the Reorganized Church retained its own structure, theology, and leadership. Over time, doctrinal shifts within the Reorganized Church led to discussions about the faith’s global identity and mission, culminating in the adoption of its present name, “Community of Christ,” in 2001.

Journey Toward the Name “Community of Christ”

For most of its existence, the denomination held firmly to the name Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Yet near the close of the twentieth century, leaders and members resolved to clarify their purpose and identity for broader public understanding. Official statements released in the late 1990s indicated that the name change was intended to reflect a focus on fellowship, unity, and global outreach. The formal switch occurred during a worldwide conference in April 2001, and new signage and publications soon followed.

Various archival records—both internal RLDS/Community of Christ archives and external historical sources—document the transition process. Observers at the time noted that the new name emphasized communal worship and the goal of building a faith community centered on Christ’s teachings. While some members and congregations adapted gradually, others embraced the newly articulated mission with enthusiasm, citing biblical themes of unity and fellowship:

“Consequently, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Scriptural Perspectives on Name and Identity

Although earthly institutions change names and adapt structures, Scripture repeatedly illustrates the importance of divine direction in communal identity. God frequently grants new names to individuals in the Bible—Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15), and Jacob to Israel (Genesis 32:28). This resonates with a broader perspective that believers collectively form a community belonging to Christ (Romans 12:5).

Through such scriptural precedents, many faithful see parallels in how a community of believers might also choose a name that reflects a maturing self-understanding of their mission and calling. In that sense, the name “Community of Christ” underlines belonging, unity, and devotion to Jesus, which is central to Christian faith:

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body…” (Romans 12:4–5)

Further Historical Context and Documentary Evidence

Additional documentation confirming the church’s former name includes:

• Conference minutes from RLDS general assemblies in the late nineteenth century.

• Legal documents and property records listing the denomination as “Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.”

• Early editions of the “Book of Doctrine and Covenants” published for RLDS congregations, featuring bylaws and reorganization histories.

• Newspapers and magazine articles from the late 1800s which referenced the church by its “Reorganized” label, particularly in Midwestern states.

These sources, examined alongside archaeological and textual studies that help establish reliable historical timelines, provide solid evidence that the Community of Christ was known for generations as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The official website of Community of Christ (CofChrist.org) also carries detailed accounts of its history, name transition, and organizational developments.

Reflections for Faith and Practice

While a name change represents a practical adjustment, it also highlights the ongoing journey of any faith community seeking to align with principles found in Scripture. Christians often look to the resurrection as the central pillar of faith (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), trusting that God’s redemptive work invites people to participate in Christ’s community—whatever that community may be named on paper. This, in turn, reflects a deeper theological truth that God guides and shapes believers over time (Philippians 1:6).

Conclusion

The Community of Christ was formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a name it held from its formal reorganization under Joseph Smith III in 1860 until the adoption of the new name in 2001. During that era, the denomination’s members and leaders worked to maintain continuity with their founding heritage while also forging new directions. Scripture, historical documentation, and church archives all confirm the church’s long-held identity as RLDS, before officially transitioning to the name Community of Christ to better capture its vision of unity and worldwide outreach under the lordship of Jesus Christ.