By JOE HOLLENBAUGH
hollenbaugh@newsroom.byu.edu
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints voted in its annual conference last week to change its name to Community of Christ.
The name change severs one of the RLDS Church's most visible remaining links to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The former RLDS Church, like the LDS Church, traces its roots to Joseph Smith, Jr. and considers the Book of Mormon scripture.
However, the RLDS Church considers itself completely separate from the LDS Church that left Illinois under the leadership of Brigham Young.
'We have a cordial relationship with the LDS Church. I would not say there is any kinship there,' RLDS Church spokesperson Susan Naylor said.
The RLDS Church was officially reorganized in Illinois in 1860 under the leadership of Joseph Smith III, a son of Joseph Smith Jr.
'The new name represents who we are, and who we are becoming as a people. It is true to our heritage, but projects us into the future,' Naylor said.
Dissenting voters raised concerns about the financial cost of the move. The final vote passed with over 70 percent in favor, according to conference records.
'The name change officially takes place January 1, which gives us some time to plan how to roll it out,' Naylor said.
The new Community of Christ will retain its old name for legal purposes. The RLDS Church owns the Kirtland Temple, as well as several historic sites in Nauvoo, Ill.
Naylor said there is no discussion of selling the Kirtland Temple or other sites to the LDS Church, but that the two churches have cooperated on historic site projects.
The Community of Christ has about 250,000 members and is headquartered in Independence, Mo.