The term "Restoration" was added as a result of the schism to denote a branch's separation from the organizational hierarchy and inferring what participants see as loyalty to the original principles of the Restoration of Joseph Smith and the Reorganization of Joseph Smith III in stark contrast to the liberal theology embraced by the Community of Christ.
Restoration Branches continue to assert that only men have priesthood authority; however, other religious and doctrinal issues were and are also disputed.
[4] No universally recognized central organization exists currently within the Restoration Branches movement, so any figures concerning membership numbers are difficult to ascertain.
[5] However, all persons baptized by authoritative RLDS priesthood are regarded as "church members" by the conference regardless of formal registration, conference affiliation (or lack thereof) including non-affiliated branches, members of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and even some Community of Christ members (depending on the circumstances of their baptism, given the movement's stance against women in the priesthood) therefor what fraction of the total recognized membership are registered with the conference is unknown but it is likely much higher than the registered number.
They are: The works of 20th-century RLDS ministers Arthur A. Oakman and Evan Fry are significant influences on contemporary 21st-century Restoration Branches movement thought.
Fry's radio program "Hear Ye Him", representing the church's views in the 1950s,[8] continue to be referred to as a source of theology by contemporary mainstream Restoration Branches.
"[14] The CRE's aim, as stated in the 1999 document "A Proclamation and Invitation to the Faithful," is to seek "divine guidance toward further reorganization.
"[16] All Restoration Branches agree that baptism by full immersion in water, symbolizing physical rebirth and remission of sins, is requisite for membership.
Prior to baptism, the recipient is required to receive instruction in church beliefs, generally in the form of a pre-baptismal class.
This process is generally adhered to by all members, unless for any reason the emblems cannot be homemade, in which case the bread may be replaced with saltines and the non-fermented wine with grape juice.
In the Restoration Branches movement, the chief function of the patriarchal blessing is "to give authoritative, priestly blessing, invoked by a spiritual father representing God and the church...Other chief functions...are to give comfort when needed, or admonition, and especially good counsel as to a godly way of life, to rededicate and to consecrate, to bring a benediction from above, to help one find himself or herself and make an adjustment to life and its problems.
Examples also exist in church history of individuals being ordained, as in set aside or chosen for a specific task, for purposes other than priesthood office.