Has the Community of Christ moved away from the Book of Mormon? We’ll ask that question to Pastor Brittany Mangelson of the Community of Christ here in Salt Lake City. We’ll also talk about the new female prophet, Stassi Cramm who will be replacing Steven Veazey. We’ll ask about how Brittany’s conversion affected her LDS family. Check out our conversation…
LDS Family Reactions to Pastor Brittany Mangelson’s Conversion to CoC
Brittany shares how her family reacted to her conversion to Community of Christ, with difficult conversations and emotional language on both sides. She discussed her family’s experiences with grief after leaving the LDS Church, with Brittany finding liberation in her new view of God while her family remains concerned. Brittany’s husband’s family have come to her children’s baptisms and confirmations, and they recently hosted a seeker/investigator in their congregation for Christmas.
Book of Mormon in Community of Christ
Brittany has a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She discusses the cultural understanding and storytelling among LDS and Community of Christ. She finds common ground with these groups by leaning into their shared beliefs and practices, while also acknowledging their unique cultural contexts. Her ancestors joined the Church in Kirtland and she said her ancestors’ sacrifices are not in vain, and she believes they did the best they could.
Views on Book of Mormon
Community of Christ views the Book of Mormon as scripture, but there are varying views among congregants. The community accepts various perspectives on the Book of Mormon. Some congregations are very traditional and believe it is historical; other congregations think it was made up by Joseph Smith. Many congregations do not prioritize it as a primary text, holding the Bible as much more important. Some in Community of Christ have reclaimed as a text of liberation and peace. Brittany’s congregation consists of many former the Latter-day Saints and discusses the Book of Mormon more than many other congregations, emphasizing their ability to find meaning and draw inspiration from the text without relying on its historical accuracy. The congregation in Salt Lake City is unique in their approach to the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, engaging in text wrestling and discussing these figures more than other congregations. The previous pastor in Salt Lake still has not read the entire Book of Mormon, and sees no value in reading the book cover to cover.
Female leadership in Community of Christ
Brittany is excited about the new female Prophet/President, Stassi Cramm, and has personal connections with her. The upcoming World Conference in May is expected to sustain Stassi as the first female prophet in the Community of Christ. Brittany is ready for a woman to be Prophet/President, and the Council of 12 selected Stassi Cramm as the next leader after soliciting feedback from the church body.
In the previous World Conference in 2023, current Prophet/President Veazey announced his plan to retire in 2 years and asked the Church to pray for guidance and discern who should be the next leader. The Council of 12 took on the succession process after President Veazey’s medical incident shortly after World Conference. Stasi Cramm was chosen as the next leader due to her experience in the First Presidency and as Presiding Bishop. She is currently recognized as Prophet/President Designate.
Faith, identity, and community after leaving the LDS Church.
Rick asked if there was anything Brittany missed in the LDS Church. Brittany misses the security of having all the right answers and a clear framework, but enjoys living in the gray and having more personal agency. She sometimes misses the sense of community and belonging that came with being a Mormon, but is glad to have her bearings in Utah County as a non-Mormon. Brittany shares how she navigates her identity as a pastor and a member of the Community of Christ, sometimes leaning on her position working on the Communications Team to avoid awkward situations. Brittany’s neighbors seem to be fine with her and her family being members of the Community of Christ.
What is your experience with members of Community of Christ?
Wheat & Tares 
Interesting. The Bible (at least according to scholars like Dan McClellan) gets history right in very broad strokes in certain parts, but is way off in other parts. I wonder if religion as a whole shouldn’t hold scripture more loosely in general. I don’t think we hold the Bible on a pedestal either. I do think, however, when we talk about Jesus and what he would do, that we use the 4 gospels as the measure for that even if they are all later accounts. I think we would put much less emphasis on temples and way more on outreach and service.
Does anyone else take issue with the statement “The previous pastor in Salt Lake still has not read the entire Book of Mormon, and sees no value in reading the book cover to cover.”?
I know the BoM has problems, I no longer believe it to be scripture, but if you’re in “Book of Mormon church” and you’re a leader, you should have at least read the book all the way through if not numerous times.
I don’t care about the gender or orientation; if you have people in your clergy reading your scriptures, you owe it to them to be educated by digging in and wrestling with the material.
I commend Brittany for finding space for a text that separates the congregation from mainline Christianity. Otherwise your just Frontier Episcopalians. (I wanted to say Redneck but don’t want to seem dismissive)
I want to second Andy on this. Female ordination and treating LGBTQ people like human beings? That’s legitimately wonderful and I salute the Community of Christ on these fronts, and feel Holy envy. But de-emphasizing the Book of Mormon to the point that a local leader can take pride in never having finished it?? At that point, why even bother having a separate church at all? Just become Unitarian or Methodist or something.
I don’t mean that disparagingly; there are plenty of excellent, progressive Protestant sects with female ordination and LGBTQ friendly congregations (as Bishop Marianne Budde recently reminded us), all of whom never even bothered with the Book of Mormon to begin with—and that have much larger budgets and national outreach than the CoC could ever dream of having. If you’re unwilling to embrace the one text that distinguishes you from all the other sects, then just pack it in and call it a day. The LDS Church has massive issues of its own, but at least it’s staked out a firm reason to exist in the first place.
Thanks for this. Absolutely fascinating to hear Community of Christ perspectives.
Honestly I have had no experiences or interactions with members of the Community of Christ, but would love to meet more people from that community.
Maybe a good question to ask is: Does the church exist to promote the Book of Mormon (or any book of scripture, for that matter) or to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Rich Brown, my eldest child now affiliates with Community of Christ. One of the things they consistently bring up in (usually online) discussion is their bafflement with attitudes towards and failure to use the Book of Mormon, most particularly for its content about Christ.
Rich Brown, my eldest child now affiliates with Community of Christ. One of the things they consistently bring up in (usually online) discussion is their bafflement with attitudes towards and failure to use the Book of Mormon, most particularly for its content about Christ.
Rich asked “Does the church exist to promote the Book of Mormon (or any book of scripture, for that matter) or to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ?”
Again, as someone that no longer believes the BoM historicity, I can say that it should be used to proclaim the gospel since you’re a Joseph Smith church. King Benjamin’s address is fantastic. Ammon’s doing service before preaching is a great example for missionary work. Alma 5, when people see you do they see Christ?
Joseph did a really good job of taking some complex biblical ideas and simplifying them and adding some twists. I like the concept of what’s the point of a world with no opposition? The whole idea invalidates the existence of God. 2N2:13
Footnote the warts to discuss the problem verses in the book, i.e. the racism in Nephi should reference with All are alike unto God and bring up Mound Builder attitudes of the 1800’s.
If you’re a bible believing church then this isn’t the first time you’ve had to work around problem verses.