Branches of Latter-day Saintism

[SoonerCoug]

I have always wondered what people think of the many branches from of the Latter-day Saint movement. For example, do members of the Strangite and Community of Christ Churches legitimately hold the priesthood? After all, they have a direct line from the restoration and ought to have the legitimate priesthood even if they don't technically have "keys."

Wouldn't their baptisms be valid by definition? When someone converts from the Community of Christ or another branch of the movement, do we require them to be rebaptized? If so, why?

[JohnnyLingo]

After all, they have a direct line from the restoration and ought to have the legitimate priesthood even if they don't technically have "keys."

Similarly, if the Catholic church has a direct line of priesthood authority going back to Peter, do they have legitimate claim to work in God's name?

[SoonerCoug]

Similarly, if the Catholic church has a direct line of priesthood authority going back to Peter, do they have legitimate claim to work in God's name?

I think that Mormonism has disputed that claim. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[falafel]

I think that Mormonism has disputed that claim. Correct me if I'm wrong.

How have they disputed it? Assuming that Catholic priests have some sort of ceremony where they receive the priesthood, as opposed to just gaining it by graduating seminary.

[SoonerCoug]

How have they disputed it? Assuming that Catholic priests have some sort of ceremony where they receive the priesthood, as opposed to just gaining it by graduating seminary.

I have always heard claims about that line being interrupted and the priesthood vanishing from the Earth, but maybe those claims weren't valid. I think it would be difficult for the Catholic Church to really verify their line of authority the way we can verify everything up to the actual restoration of the priesthood.

My question still stands. If these churches have a legitimate line of authority, then why don't their baptisms count?

[RobinFinderson]

This thread would be better titled 'Branches of Latter-day Saintanism.'

[falafel]

I have always heard claims about that line being interrupted and the priesthood vanishing from the Earth, but maybe those claims weren't valid. I think it would be difficult for the Catholic Church to really verify their line of authority the way we can verify everything up to the actual restoration of the priesthood.

My question still stands. If these churches have a legitimate line of authority, then why don't their baptisms count?

Don't you need keys to officiate ordinances of the Church?

Also, seems like I've heard that if you aren't living up to your priesthood duties, then your priesthood is "inactivated," so to speak. Kind of like not paying your power bill. You're connected to the grid, but you can't use the lights.

[SoonerCoug]

Don't you need keys to officiate ordinances of the Church?

Also, seems like I've heard that if you aren't living up to your priesthood duties, then your priesthood is "inactivated," so to speak. Kind of like not paying your power bill. You're connected to the grid, but you can't use the lights.

In other words, there are bazillions of people even in our Church whose baptisms don't really count? Because I promise you there were lots of baptisms done by men who were not living up to their priesthood duties.

When exactly did the concept of keys arise? Pardon my ignorance.

[WashingtonCoug]

I see where you're coming from. If an unworthy Priest blesses the bread, does that mean the whole ward missed out on sacrament? Or if an unworthy father gives his son the priesthood what happens then? If I'm not mistaken and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I don't think they would go back and re-give the son the Priesthood?

[WashingtonCoug]

In other words, there are bazillions of people even in our Church whose baptisms don't really count? Because I promise you there were lots of baptisms done by men who were not living up to their priesthood duties.

Shoot beat me to it.

[falafel]

In other words, there are bazillions of people even in our Church whose baptisms don't really count? Because I promise you there were lots of baptisms done by men who were not living up to their priesthood duties.

When exactly did the concept of keys arise? Pardon my ignorance.

I'm just as ignorant as you. I'm not officially advocating these positions, just relaying information I've thought I've heard. I may have heard wrong.

[SoonerCoug]

I'm just as ignorant as you. I'm not officially advocating these positions, just relaying information I've thought I've heard. I may have heard wrong.

I've heard things like that too. I'm just trying to do the math and figure out exactly where we stand on this stuff and why we stand there.

[beefytee]

Don't you need keys to officiate ordinances of the Church?

Also, seems like I've heard that if you aren't living up to your priesthood duties, then your priesthood is "inactivated," so to speak. Kind of like not paying your power bill. You're connected to the grid, but you can't use the lights.

What about Alma? Was his Priesthood made active again after he fled and repented?

In other words:

Working for King Noah: Inactive
Waters of Mormon: Re-activated.

What about people in our church that are baptized (or Ordained) by unworthy Priesthood holders?

[falafel]

What about Alma? Was his Priesthood made active again after he fled and repented?

In other words:

Working for King Noah: Inactive
Waters of Mormon: Re-activated.

What about people in our church that are baptized (or Ordained) by unworthy Priesthood holders?

Actually, I have heard that about Alma.

[WashingtonCoug]

My own feeling and thought is that unless you're excommunicated you still have the Priesthood. Nobody is punished by your not being worthy, but that you don't receive blessings yourself for the ordinances you perform. You will probably even be punished in the hereafter for being unworthy while practicing the priesthood. I don't still don't know how that would affect the different branches though.