Founded by Antonio A. Feliz, Lamar Hamilton, John Crane, Pamela J. Calkins and other members of the Los Angeles chapter of on August 23, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. Feliz is a former bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who had been excommunicated for homosexual acts. Feliz had also served as the Director of Church Welfare for what was then called the Andean Region of the LDS Church during the 1970s. The RCJC had rotating general officers. At a church conference in Sacramento, California, in May 1987, Feliz resigned as president. He was succeeded by Robert McIntier, who served as president of the church from 1987 through 2010, except for a period from 1997 to 1999 when Douglas B. Madrid served as president.
Scripture
The scriptures of the church are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and The Hidden Treasures and Promises, a book which members say consists of revelations given through the president of the church and other leaders.
''The Hidden Treasures and Promises''
The Hidden Treasures and Promises begins with a compilation of the Articles of Faith with insertions for inclusion of women and hymns composed by RCJC member John Crane. The second section of the work criticizes the LDS Church for refusing to "send the Restored Gospel to our people—to the gay and lesbian communities of the world." The section calls for the furtherance of the Restored Gospel to the LGBT populace through the "work of ordaining, calling, and setting-apart of missionaries". Altogether, the work consists of 58 sections of messages.
Beliefs and practices
The Restoration Church became the first LDS denomination to ordain women to the priesthood. The Heavenly Mother was regarded as an equal member of the Godhead along with the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Thus, the church believed in a quadriune Godhead. The Heavenly Parents were worshiped in prayers given in the name of Jesus Christ. The priesthood leaders of the church were called "general officers" as in the Community of Christ, not general authorities as in the LDS Church. Church conferences were held periodically. Rebaptism was not required for anyone who had been previously baptized in a Latter Day Saint church that can trace its authority back to Joseph Smith. New members who had never previously been a member of a Latter Day Saint church, and those who chose to be rebaptized upon joining the RCJC, were baptized by immersion in the name of The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. When passing the sacrament, either water or grape juice was used. The Word of Wisdom was regarded as good advice, but not as an absolute requirement. The church counseled that it is best to consume meat in moderation; however, use of alcohol or tobacco by the church membership was discouraged. As in the LDS Church, it was popular to serve Jell-O, cake, and milk at church gatherings. Members were encouraged to store a one-year supply of food. Home teaching was practiced. The church practiced endowments, the law of adoption, and celestial marriage. In addition to heterosexual marriage, the church also practiced same-sex marriage. The church believed in the practice of baptism for the dead but did not practice it.
In a 1986 interview with Sunstone magazine, Feliz stated he believed that it was good to practice The Principle and that he would be open to performing homosexual polygamous marriages if requested by any members. Pamela J. Calkins, of Sacramento, was the first woman to be ordained to the priesthood in the RCJC. Later, she entered into a polygamous homosexual betrothal sealing in advance of a celestial marriage with three female partners, thus becoming the first women in Mormondom to do so. Calkins and Lynn R. LaMaster were the first lesbian couple to be sealed for time and eternity. Later that same evening, Leanna R Anderson and Carole L. Dee were also sealed for time and eternity to each other and to Calkins. No other polygamous homosexual celestial marriages were performed for any other members of the church. In theory it was conceivable that a heterosexual member of the church could ask to be sealed in a heterosexual marriage, but this did not happen.
Membership
During the period 2000–10 the total membership of the church was about 500 on the rolls. The church had one in Salt Lake City. There were members on the rolls in many U.S. states, as well as several foreign countries. There was also an online "Internet Sunday School" in which members discussed gospel topics, shared ideas, and offered support to one another.
