Restoration Latter Day SaintsEdit
Restoration Latter Day Saints refer to a family of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement that emphasize the restoration of the original church’s authority and structure as established in the 19th century. The best-known expression of this impulse is the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, later renamed the Community of Christ. Other groups in the Restoration tradition include smaller Restoration Branch movements and allied churches that trace their authority to Joseph Smith and his successors but operate independently from the Utah-based church that grew under Brigham Young. Across these bodies, the central claim is that the true church was restored after the founding era, with priesthood authority and genuine continuing revelation preserved through a line of leadership. In the modern era these churches have charted a course that blends traditional restorationist identity with evolving social and theological commitments.
History
The Restoration Latter Day Saint impulse began in the wake of Joseph Smith’s founding work and the subsequent years of departure and reorganization among Smith’s successors. After Smith’s death in 1844, several factions claimed legitimate leadership of the church. The group that would become the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—led by Joseph Smith III, the prophet-son of the founder—argued that the rightful line of priesthood and stewardship had been reorganized under Smith’s family and that the church should remain in the United States rather than move west to Utah. This lineage emphasis is a defining feature of Restoration Latter Day Saints, distinguishing them from the larger, Brigham Young–led church that settled in Utah and developed a parallel set of practices and institutions.
In the 20th century the RLDS church pursued a program of modernization and ecumenical engagement while maintaining a distinct restoration identity. In 2001 the RLDS Church formally adopted the name Community of Christ, signaling a shift toward broader Christian engagement, education, and mission work, while preserving the core conviction that authority and revelation could continue through living leaders and councils. Parallel to these developments, various Restoration Branches and related movements formed, often emphasizing a more conservative or technocratic approach to priesthood, governance, and temple-related rites. Across this spectrum, adherents have sought to balance fidelity to early restorationist ideals with constructive engagement with wider society.
Key figures and institutions in this history include Joseph Smith, Jr. and his successors in the restoration lineage, the organizational structures that governed the church (such as the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve), and the historically significant sites like the Kirtland Temple and other early temples that shaped restorationist worship. The shifting relationship between authority, scripture, and practice has continued to shape debates about legitimacy and scope within the movement. For a broader arc, see Latter Day Saint movement and Community of Christ.
Beliefs and practices
Restoration Latter Day Saints share core doctrinal foundations with the broader Latter Day Saint tradition, including belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as the Godhead, baptism by immersion, and ongoing revelation. The movement emphasizes the restoration of priesthood authority and church governance as a divinely guided process that should reflect the original church’s structure and mission.
Scripture is central, with reverence given to the standard Latter Day Saint canon and accompanying revelations received through living prophets and church councils. The embrace of revelation is not uniform across all Restoration branches; some communities emphasize scriptural fidelity and conservative governance, while others maintain a more expansive view of ongoing guidance from a modern prophet-presider or council.
In terms of governance, Restoration Latter Day Saints typically stress a form of priesthood leadership that includes a First Presidency and a governing council, with authority exercised through collective decision-making and congregational input in many contexts. This stands in contrast to more centralized models in other denominations. Worship practices tend to be modest and focused on catechesis, sacramental administration, and communal ministry, with a strong emphasis on family life, education, and service to the local and broader community.
Polity is typically hierarchical but not monolithic, reflecting a preference for local autonomy within a shared restoration framework. Historically, the RLDS/CoC tradition has been noted for its commitment to education, missionary work, and social service, often aligning with mainstream Christian humanitarian values while maintaining a distinct restorationist identity. See Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Mormon, and Pearl of Great Price for canonical texts central to the tradition.
On social questions, Restoration Latter Day Saints have varied in emphasis across subgroups. In general, many in the broader restoration tradition have emphasized religious liberty, parental responsibility, and civil society’s role in shaping moral norms, while preserving a degree of ecclesial independence from state power. Some communities have pursued more conservative positions on gender roles and family life, while others have moved toward greater inclusivity in church leadership and public witness. The balance between tradition and adaptation is a continuing point of discussion within the movement.
Organization and governance
The organizational backbone of restorationist groups often centers on a council-based leadership framework, with a first presidency or similar executive body, a council of twelve, and local congregations organized under regional presiding authorities. This structure aims to preserve continuity with the early church while allowing for responsive governance through congregational input and broader church-wide deliberation. The governance model is frequently characterized by a balance between central authority and local autonomy, reflecting concerns about preserving doctrinal integrity while enabling practical and pastoral experimentation at the local level.
Institutions such as seminaries and universities have historically played a role in training clergy, teachers, and lay leaders, reinforcing a culture of education and civic participation. The community also tends to value temple-related or symbolic rites consistent with the broader restorationist tradition, though practices vary by subgroup and over time. For additional context on leadership and structure, see First Presidency and Priesthood.
Controversies and debates
As with many restorationist movements, the Restoration Latter Day Saints tradition has faced debates over authority, doctrine, and practice. A central issue is succession after the founder’s death: which line of leadership legitimately holds the keys of priesthood and church governance? Proponents of the RLDS/CoC line argue for the rightful continuation through Joseph Smith III’s line and the established restoration authority, while other restorationist groups dispute the precise chain of succession. These debates often reflect broader questions about how continuity with the founding era should be interpreted in a changing society.
A second major area of controversy concerns the degree of ecumenism and social reform versus doctrinal conservatism. The move toward broader Christian engagement and liberal social commitments in some segments of the movement has been criticized by purists who fear it dilutes the core restoration message or departs from the original pattern of church discipline and doctrinal clarity. From a traditionalist standpoint, the critique is that restorationist fidelity requires careful boundary maintenance around authority, ritual, and the role of revelation in contemporary life.
Gender and race policies have also been points of contention. Some branches have moved toward broader inclusion in leadership or community life, while others maintain more conservative norms. The broader public debate in these areas—common to many conservative religious groups—centers on how much reform is appropriate within a historic faith, the proper scope of church governance, and how to reconcile longstanding beliefs with evolving civil norms. Advocates of a traditional, community-centered approach argue that preserving proven doctrines and sober governance helps maintain social stability and religious liberty, while critics say that flexibility in moral and social issues better reflects human dignity and contemporary understandings of equality.
On issues of scripture and revelation, there is ongoing dialogue about which revelations are canonical and how new or revised teachings should be integrated. This can attract attention from observers who favor fixed canons versus those who accept continuing revelation within a restoration framework. The debates reflect a broader tension in religion between fidelity to founding principles and the need to address new social realities without abandoning core commitments. For background on the related texts, see Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.