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Summarized by Kent Larsen
RLDS Church Decides To Change Name
(Mormon Sect Decides On A New Name)
Chicago Tribune (Kansas City Star) 9Apr00 N5
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI -- Two-thirds of the delegate to the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints's biennial
conference have agreed to change the Church's name to the Community
of Christ. The name change, which will go into effect next January,
was agreed to on a vote of 1,979 to 561, more than the two-thirds
required. The older name will remain the legal name of the
organization.
"We are very gratified by the widespread support for what certainly
was an emotional issue for many people," church president W. Grant
McMurray said following the vote. The change is an emotional issue
for many RLDS Church members. The old name often leads to confusion
with the Salt Lake City-based LDS Church. It also causes problems
when it is translated into foreign languages, leading the Church to
be known under different names in different countries, "The new name
represents what we are seeking to become today and in the future,
while at the same time preserving our heritage," said Wallace B.
Smith, church president emeritus, speaking in favor of the new name.
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