Community of Christ Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pearl of Great Price

When a member of Community of Christ is baptized, s/he receives his/her own personalized copy of the "three-in-one", which includes the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Confusingly, "three-in-one" is also the term describing the holy trinity: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Answer: 8 years old

At eight years old, a child may be baptized and confirmed, and thus become a member of Community of Christ. After confirmation, the new member may partake in his/her first communion. There is no upper age limit. Baptism is full-body immersion, often taking place in a baptismal font (small pool of water in the church), in a lake, or in a swimming pool.

Answer: Sealing in the Temple

The eight sacraments are Blessing of Children, Baptism, Confirmation, The Lord's Supper (communion), Marriage, Ordination (becoming a member of the priesthood), Evangelist's Blessing, and Administration to the Sick. Children are often blessed when they are still infants (or restless infants, either way).

The Evangelist's Blessing (previously known as "Patriarchal Blessing") is often given when a member reaches young adulthood, and faces many life-changing choices.

Answer: Independence, Missouri

Community of Christ has members in more than 60 nations (including Great Britain). Its worldwide membership number above the quarter-million mark. Still, few non-members outside Independence, Missouri have heard of this religion.

Answer: Modern-day revelation

The Doctrine and Covenants is the book of scriptures containing modern-day revelation. The president of C of C is also its prophet. His official prophecies are added to the D&C.

Answer: Wine began to be served in communion rather than grape juice

In 1984, women were allowed to join the priesthood, which caused a rift in the church. A further rift was caused when homosexuals were allowed in the priesthood and priests were allowed to marry same-sex couples. The name change was overwhelmingly accepted.

Answer: The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (RLDS)

Before the name change, members found themselves answering the ubiquitous question "What religion are you?" with "The-Reorganized-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-Day-Saints-No-We're-Not-the-Mormons", and the discussion that followed was driven by differences between the two religions.

The name change turned the discussions into something more along the lines of "Oh, so you're non-denominational" or "But what's your denomination?", which at least allowed the member to discuss what they *do* believe instead of what they *don't* believe.

Answer: There is a single priest within each church.

I realized that our priesthood was different from others when I'd tell people that my dad was a priest and get wide-eyed consternation in return. Most members of the priesthood--be they Priest, Evangelist, Teacher, etc.--are unpaid volunteers. There is generally a different speaker (of the sermon) each Sunday, usually by members in the priesthood, but not necessarily.

Answer: Its history begins the same as the LDS church.

The early history of Community of Christ begins with Joseph Smith, Jr. The separation between RLDS (Community of Christ) and LDS churches occurred at his death. In 1860 (16 years after Smith's death), the RLDS reorganized into a new church following Joseph Smith, Jr.'s early teachings.

At first, there were two separate churches going by the name Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and one was required to change its name, so in 1872, the church now known as Community of Christ was christened the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, causing confusion all around.

Answer: He was the first prophet who was not a direct descendant of Joseph Smith, Jr.

In 1860, Joseph Smith, Jr.'s son, Joseph Smith, III, became the prophet-president of Community of Christ. Other Smiths followed--Joseph Smith, Jr.'s grandchildren and, eventually, great-grandchild--until 1996, when Grant McMurray was ordained. The prophet-president who followed McMurray was also not a descendant.