A distinct Latter Day Saint movement denomination known for its rejection of traditional LDS doctrines and claims to hold the future site of a prophesied temple in Independence, Missouri.
Origins and Historical Development
The Church of Christ (Temple Lot), often informally referred to as the Hedrickites, is a distinct denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement. Its roots can be traced back to the tumultuous period following the assassination of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, in 1844. Amidst the ensuing succession crisis, several groups emerged, each led by different claimants to Smith’s prophetic mantle.
The formal establishment of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) as a separate entity occurred in the winter of 1863. Granville Hedrick and other leaders claimed to represent the sole legitimate continuation of the original Church of Christ established by Smith in 1830. Although Hedrick was initially ordained as the president of the church, he later repudiated this position, even referring to Smith as a “fallen prophet”.
The Temple Lot and Its Significance
Central to the Church of Christ (Temple Lot)’s identity is its headquarters’ location in Independence, Missouri, on a piece of land known as the Temple Lot. This 2.5-acre parcel, acquired by the Hedrickites in 1867, is deemed the destined site for a future temple as prophesied in Latter Day Saint scripture. The church maintains its claim to the land and believes in its crucial role in future divine plans, including the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Throughout its history, the church has been involved in legal disputes over the ownership of the Temple Lot, most notably with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These legal battles ultimately affirmed the Hedrickite church’s claim to the property, solidifying its identity and mission within the broader Latter Day Saint movement.
Doctrinal Distinctions and Governance
Unlike the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the Community of Christ, the Temple Lot church does not have a president or a prophet leading it. Governance is instead provided by a Quorum of Twelve Apostles, with all members considered equal in authority. This structure reflects the church’s belief in adhering closely to the New Testament Christian Church’s original organizational blueprint.
The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) strictly adheres to the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon as its scriptural foundations, explicitly rejecting other Latter Day Saint movement texts such as the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Notably, the church also repudiates several doctrines associated with mainstream Mormonism, including baptism for the dead, celestial marriage, plural marriage, and the concept of exaltation.
Key to the church’s identity is its assertion as the only true church, dismissing all other Christian denominations as aberrations. This stance reflects their commitment to what they believe to be the pure teachings and practices of early Mormonism, rejecting many of the doctrinal developments and organizational changes introduced by other Latter Day Saint groups after Smith’s death.
Membership and Global Presence
As of 2013, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) claimed a membership of 7,310 individuals, with congregations in 11 countries. These include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, India, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. This global footprint, albeit modest compared to larger Latter Day Saint denominations, underscores the church’s missionary zeal and commitment to spreading its interpretation of Christ’s gospel worldwide.
The church conducts its religious practices in a modest chapel located on the Temple Lot, where members gather for worship, scripture study, and community activities. Despite its small size, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) remains a dedicated community with a distinct theological and historical identity.
Divisions and Schisms
The church’s history has not been without internal conflict. A notable split occurred in 1929 over the acceptance of “messages” purportedly from John the Baptist to Otto Fetting, an apostle within the church. Disagreements over these messages led to further divisions, spawning several offshoot groups, each claiming adherence to aspects of Fetting’s teachings or rejecting them in favor of other leaders’ revelations.
These schisms highlight the dynamic and contested nature of doctrinal authority within the broader Latter Day Saint restorationist tradition. Despite these challenges, the core Church of Christ (Temple Lot) has maintained its distinct identity and beliefs.
Efforts to Build the Temple
The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) has been involved in efforts to build a temple on the designated Temple Lot property, in accordance with their beliefs about its prophesied significance. However, these plans have faced numerous obstacles and setbacks over the years, including financial constraints and internal disagreements within the church.
Despite these challenges, members view their stewardship of the Temple Lot as a sacred responsibility and continue to anticipate the eventual fulfillment of the prophesied temple’s construction. This commitment to the Temple Lot and its future role remains a defining characteristic of the church.
Conclusion
The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) stands as a unique denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, distinguished by its claim to the Temple Lot, its doctrinal positions, and its organizational structure. While smaller than some of its counterparts, the church maintains a dedicated following and continues to play a role in the diverse landscape of Latter Day Saint denominations.
Its adherence to what it considers the original teachings of Joseph Smith, combined with its distinctive beliefs about the Temple Lot, ensure that the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) remains a subject of interest for those studying the history and development of the Latter Day Saint movement. As the church moves forward, it continues to balance its historical claims with the challenges of maintaining and growing a religious community in the modern world.
image via Wikimedia Commons
