Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ's Church |
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Pyramid-shaped temple located near Modena, Utah, west of Cedar City, Utah.
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| Classification | Mormonism |
| Orientation | Fundamentalist Mormon |
| Leader | Michael Peterson |
| Region | Iron County, Utah |
| Founder | Gerald Peterson Sr. |
| Origin | April 6, 1978 Iron County, Utah |
| Separated from | Apostolic United Brethren and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Congregations | 4 |
| Members | 200–300 |
| Missionaries | 4 |
Christ's Church, also known as The Righteous Branch, is a religious group that is part of the Latter Day Saint movement. It is based in Iron County, Utah. This group follows some of the original beliefs and practices of Mormonism.
Christ's Church has about 100 to 200 members. Most of them live near Modena, Utah in Iron County, which is about 7 miles (11 km) west of Beryl, Utah. The church's main property was once part of its founder's land outside of Cedar City, Utah. Some members also live near Tonopah, Nevada in Nye County, Nevada.
History of Christ's Church
Christ's Church was started on April 6, 1978. It was founded by Gerald Wilbur Peterson Sr., who was born in 1917 and passed away in 1981.
Peterson claimed that after Rulon C. Allred, a leader from another group called the Apostolic United Brethren, died in May 1977, Allred appeared to him. Peterson said Allred told him to lead the church and hold important religious authority, known as Priesthood keys.
Peterson then started this new church group. He also built a new Mormon temple on April 6, 1978. This was just two months before the main the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) made a change in 1978 that allowed all worthy men to hold the priesthood. Peterson believed he had a special message about this change.
Christ's Church is set up in a similar way to the LDS Church. It has leaders like a First Presidency, a Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and other groups that help run the church. The church also actively shares its beliefs with others and performs religious ceremonies like baptism for the dead.
Like other groups that follow early Mormon beliefs, Christ's Church believes that religious authority has been passed down through a line of leaders. This line includes John Woolley, Joseph Musser, Rulon Allred, Gerald Peterson Sr., his son Gerald W. Peterson Jr., and finally to his son Michael Peterson, who leads the group today.
Beliefs and Practices
Christ's Church follows many standard Mormon beliefs and practices. They also have some unique traditions. For example, they teach the Adam–God doctrine, which is a belief about God. They also try to live by the United Order, which means they share resources and work together as a community.
Members of Christ's Church wear modern clothing.
The group uses a special pyramid-shaped temple near Modena, Utah. This makes them one of the few Latter Day Saint groups to have built their own temple. They also have another religious building near Tonopah, Nevada. They call this building "the Building." It is made up of several connected buildings that include a chapel, a cultural hall, a place for baptisms, and other rooms similar to those found in LDS temples. It also has a large kitchen where members can gather.
Christ's Church focuses a lot on what they believe is the "will of God." They believe that following this "will" is very important for their spiritual journey.
Important Members
The founder of the group, Gerald Peterson Sr., practiced a type of natural medicine called homeopathy. His son, Gerald Peterson Jr., who led the group after his father, was also a doctor. He practiced osteopathic medicine and homeopathy in Tonopah, Nevada. Gerald Peterson Jr. had also served as a medical officer in the United States Army. He passed away in 2018.
Tom Green, who was known for his family practices, was a member of Christ's Church for a short time.
Benjamin Shaffer, who is active online, is also a member of the group. He joined Christ's Church after being a member of the mainstream LDS Church.
Images for kids
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Pyramid-shaped temple near Modena, Utah.
