Much of the public, and many who don’t know much about Mormons, think that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—commonly called Mormons—are the same as many other groups who call themselves Mormons. The two main groups (who call themselves Mormons but who are not affiliated with the Mormon Church) are the RLDS Church (the Community of Christ) and the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days (commonly called TLC)—the Fundamentalist Mormons.

Both fundamentalist Mormons and RLDS branched away from Mormonism at turning points in the Church, and are not affiliated at all with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which we believe to be the true and living Church of Jesus Christ on the Earth, and the only one that continues the work that Joseph Smith started.

that polygamy is evil and not a valid form of mirgaare. But I don't think that would be consistent with all the revelation that has been received or with current policy regarding temple sealings.Those who find polygamy to be immoral, not because of abuses in its practice, but because of its nature, still have reason to be concerned, I think, that Mormons conceive of a heaven where there could be polygamous families. For these people it isn't enough that we don't practice polygamy on earth now if we still believe it is a legitimate practice. I understand the continued concern over polygamy that some people feel. But I also think that anti-polygamy sentiment is often unreflective. People may believe that they are opposed to polygamy because of something inherent to polygamy, but I suspect anti-polygamy sentiment it arises largely in response to the perceived ill effects of the practice of polygamy, as it has been practiced on earth. As the SL Trib commenter suggests, polygamy in heaven is usually imagined differently than polygamy on earth. So really that should make a difference, but that would require reflecting on the source of this antipathy to polygamy which I can imagine would seem to many as absurd as reflecting on my antipathy towards incest. I just believe that it is wrong without reflection. that polygamy is evil and not a valid form of mirgaare. But I don't think that would be consistent with all the revelation that has been received or with current policy regarding temple sealings.Those who find polygamy to be immoral, not because of abuses in its practice, but because of its nature, still have reason to be concerned, I think, that Mormons conceive of a heaven where there could be polygamous families. For these people it isn't enough that we don't practice polygamy on earth now if we still believe it is a legitimate practice. I understand the continued concern over polygamy that some people feel. But I also think that anti-polygamy sentiment is often unreflective. People may believe that they are opposed to polygamy because of something inherent to polygamy, but I suspect anti-polygamy sentiment it arises largely in response to the perceived ill effects of the practice of polygamy, as it has been practiced on earth. As the SL Trib commenter suggests, polygamy in heaven is usually imagined differently than polygamy on earth. So really that should make a difference, but that would require reflecting on the source of this antipathy to polygamy which I can imagine would seem to many as absurd as reflecting on my antipathy towards incest. I just believe that it is wrong without reflection.

RLDSEdit

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS), which has changed its name to the Community of Christ, is a group that split off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shortly after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr., the founding prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

While Mormons believe that priesthood authority and the call to lead the Church come from God to whom he chooses, the Community of Christ branched off because they believed that that authority should pass, like a monarchy, from father to son. They called Joseph Smith’s son Joseph as their leader and have continued with leadership passing that way.

The Community of Christ (RLDS Church) still believes in the Book of Mormon and has some common beliefs with Mormons, but Mormons believe that they do not have the proper priesthood authority, nor the approval from God as His Church.

Fundamentalist MormonsEdit

These groups have been extremely dangerous to the reputation of Mormons, since they split off from Mormonism after President Wilford Woodruff declared an end to plural marriage, and they insist that plural marriage is the will of God. Mormons believe that plural marriage was a commandment from God, and that not everyone was required to live it. It existed for a time to both test the Mormons and to have more children. Even in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, both polygamy and monogamy are cited as commanded or accepted by the Lord.

Mormons believe that plural marriage was wrong after God commanded them to stop the practice, and since 1904, most members entering into plural marriages have been excommunicated. Since 1904, individuals have sought and received plural marriages, and these split off into other groups. Most of those still practicing plural marriage joined a group who believed Lorin C. Woolley’s declaration that a group of non-Mormons had the true authority to marry men to plural wives.

These polygamists split off into several other groups, only one of which is the FLDS Church, or the “real” Fundamentalist Mormons. These groups believe that God only took the “gift” of plural marriage (which was a trial for most Mormons) away because the Church was wicked. They believe that plural marriage is required for salvation, while Mormons believe that monogamous men can receive the same salvation.