We’re discussing 2 controversial topics with Stassi Cramm, President of the Community of Christ. We’ll focus on the controversial sale of Kirtland Temple, as well as the schism that followed the 1984 revelation on women’s ordination. Which was more controversial? Check out our conversation…

Don’t miss our other conversations with Stassi: https://gospeltangents.com/people/stassi-cramm/

https://youtu.be/CIv5kq-x648

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Gospel Tangents

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The 1984 revelation that allowed women to hold the priesthood led to an immediate schism within the church, which was then known as the RLDS Church. President Cramm, who was not present at the 1984 conference, describes the period as rancorous with hard feelings. Following the decision, there were significant conflicts, including debates over property ownership and padlocks being put on church doors as whole congregations pulled away from the main body of the church. The opposition was so strong that a resolution to rescind the 1984 revelation was brought forward at the 1986 conference, though it did not pass.

President Cramm contrasts this divisive experience with how the church handled the more recent, and also potentially divisive, issue of same-sex marriage in the early 2010s. Learning from the past, Church leadership approached the topic more slowly, with years of study and conversation. They developed “the principles of faithful disagreement,” which allow members to hold differing opinions on church decisions without being judged as unfaithful. While the church still lost members after implementing new policies on same-gender marriage in 2013, the schism was not as severe as in 1984. Today, there are still members who do not believe women should be ordained, and some voiced their opposition to President Cramm’s call at the most recent conference, which she notes is acceptable within the church’s framework.

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the recent sale of Kirtland Temple and other historic sites to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This decision was very difficult and emotional, comparable in some ways to the 1984 revelation.

• Lack of Conference Vote: The decision for the sale of Kirtland Temple was made by church leadership without a vote or formal input from the World Conference delegates. This was a major point of contention for members who felt the process contradicted the principle of common consent. A resolution was brought to the most recent conference demanding that future property sales receive conference approval, but it was ruled out of order.
• Rationale for Bypassing Conference: President Cramm explained that the resolution was ruled out of order because it conflicted with the scriptural and bylaw authority granted to the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric to act in the church’s best overall interest. She also stated that giving 2,800 delegates enough information to make an informed recommendation was not feasible, and that leadership needed to be trusted to do their difficult job.
• Negotiation Secrecy: The negotiations on sale of Kirtland Temple were conducted under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which President Cramm described as a mutual decision to manage how information was released. A public debate or vote would have weakened the church’s negotiating position, especially since it was determined that the LDS Church was the only entity capable of providing the necessary funds while ensuring the site’s continued maintenance and accessibility.
• Financial Necessity: The sale was driven by a looming financial shortfall that threatened the church’s ability to function globally. Leadership had a legal and moral obligation to keep the church operating and to ensure they could be good stewards of their properties. When it became clear they could no longer afford to properly maintain the temple, selling it was seen as the best option to preserve it.
• Response to “Revelation” Argument: When asked about the argument that the temple was given by revelation and should only be sold by revelation, President Cramm stated that she had not encountered that specific argument before and could not directly respond to it.

The discussion also highlighted the Community of Christ’s legislative-style World Conference, which differs significantly from the LDS Church’s General Conference. Members can speak directly to church leadership from podiums on the conference floor, expressing support or opposition for resolutions. President Cramm finds this process respectful, though it can be emotionally charged and uncomfortable as the presider, who feels the weight of the entire room’s emotions. The process is governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, which includes alternating between speakers for and against a motion.

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Gospel Tangents

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