Protest Movement (Independence, Mo.)

The Protest Movement began in 1924 over the "Supreme directional control" controversy in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Frederick M. Smith, RLDS Church President, requested more direct managerial authority over the programs of the church. Thomas W. Williams and other members of the RLDS church felt this gave the president too much power and that members would lose their voice in the affairs of the church. Many prominent leaders of the RLDS Church transferred their membership to the existing "Church of Christ" (Temple Lot) at this time, while others joined the Protest Movement. Many were active in both. The Protest Movement members eventually realized that reconciliation with the RLDS church was impossible, so on April 6, 1926 they formed their own church, the Church of Jesus Christ. Williams later returned to his home in Los Angeles, California, where he died in 1931. A few years later the movement disbanded with many members joining the Temple Lot Church.

Pauline Hancock left the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ with the Protest Movement under T.W. Williams, but later joined the Temple Lot Church. Around 1946 she became dissatisfied with the Temple Lot group and organized a Bible and Book of Mormon study group. Her group evolved into an organized church, the Church of Christ. Pauline Hancock was pastor of the Church of Christ in 1954.