Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) | |
---|---|
James J. Strang, 1844 | |
Origin | April 6, 1830 (officially given); June 27, 1844 (claimed angelic ordination of Strang)[1] Voree, Wisconsin |
Separated from | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |
Separations | Church of Jesus Christ (Drewite), Church of the Messiah, Holy Church of Jesus Christ, others |
Congregations | 6 |
Members | 130 |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—usually distinguished with a parenthetical (Strangite)—is one of the several organizations that claim to be the legitimate continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. It is a separate organization from the considerably larger and better known Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Both churches claim to be the original organization established by Smith. The Strangite church is headquartered in Voree, Wisconsin, just outside Burlington, and accepts the claims of James Strang as successor to Smith. It had approximately 300 members in 1998. An undated FAQ on the church's official website reports there are around 130 active members throughout the United States.[2]
After Smith was murdered in 1844 with no clear successor, several claimants sought to take leadership of the church which Smith founded. Among them was Strang, who competed with other prominent members, notably Brigham Young and Sidney Rigdon.
At its peak, the Strangite Church had about 12,000 members, making them noteworthy rivals to the larger faction led by Young.[3] Strang was murdered in 1856, after which most of his followers joined Joseph Smith III and his Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now called the Community of Christ.
History
Before Strang
Strangites share the same history with other Latter Day Saint denominations up until the
Brigham Young initially argued that Smith could have no immediate successor,
James Strang's appointment letter and the Voree plates
Although he was a relatively recent convert at the time of Smith's death, James Strang posed a formidable—and initially quite successful—challenge to the claims of Young and Rigdon. Strang was a Mormon
Strang's assertion appealed to many Latter Day Saints who were attracted to Mormonism's doctrine of continuing
Early successes and losses
Many prominent Latter Day Saints believed in Strang's "letter of appointment" and accepted him as Mormonism's second "
Another adherent was John C. Bennett, former mayor of Nauvoo and a former member of the First Presidency. Bennett had been in Smith's innermost circle but had broken with the founding prophet and had written an anti-Mormon exposé. Bennett founded a secretive Strangite fraternal society known as the "Order of Illuminati", but his presence disrupted Strang's church and ultimately led to his excommunication.[8] Bennett's "order" fell by the wayside and no longer exists among the Strangites.
All of these persons—with the exception of Miller, who would remain loyal to Strang until death—left the Strangite church by 1850. Many of these defections were due to Strang's seemingly abrupt "about-face" on the turbulent subject of
Strang found his greatest support among the scattered outlying branches of Mormonism, which he frequently toured. His followers may have numbered as many as 12,000,[3] at a time when Young's group had just over 50,000.[10] After Strang won a debate at a conference in Norway, Illinois, he converted the entire branch.[11] While in Voree, the Strangites published a periodical known as the Voree Herald. Strang's church also fielded a mission to England, one of the primary sources of converts to Mormonism. This mission was led by Martin Harris, the financier of the Book of Mormon and one of its Three Witnesses. Harris proved a poor spokesman, however, and the English missions sided with the LDS Church led by Young.
Establishing a kingdom on Beaver Island
Because the high price of land in the Voree area made it difficult for Latter Day Saints to "gather" there, Strang moved his church headquarters to Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. Here his disciples founded a town known as St. James (now St. James Township), and in 1850, openly established an ecclesiastical monarchy with Strang as the spiritual "king" of his church. The date of his coronation, July 8, is still mandated as one of the two most important days in the Strangite church calendar (the other is April 6, the anniversary of the founding of Smith's church).[12]
Contrary to popular belief, Strang never claimed to be king over Beaver Island, or any other geographical entity. Rather, he asserted that he was king over his church, which he saw as the one, true "
In addition to printing religious materials, the Strangite printing press on Beaver Island became the source of a new periodical, the Northern Islander, which was the first real newspaper in all of northern Michigan.[14] As St. James became an entrepôt for Great Lakes shipping, the Strangites began to compete with more established commercial lake ports such as Mackinac Island. Tensions grew between Mormons on Beaver Island and their non-Mormon neighbors, which frequently exploded into violence. Accusations of thuggery and thievery were leveled by both parties against each other, compounded by ever-increasing dissension among some of Strang's own disciples, who chafed at what they saw as his increasingly tyrannical rule.
In 1854, Strang published Ancient and modern Michilimackinac, including an account of the controversy between Mackinac and the Mormons. Dale Morgan, a historian of the Latter Day Saint movement, writes: "Strang surveys the geography and history of Mackinac and the surrounding region, particularly the islands of Lake Michigan, and after giving an account of the Mormon settlement upon Big Beaver Island, addresses himself to the bitter controversies between the people of Mackinac and the Mormons. Although dealing with controverted matters and colored by Strang's indignation at the outrages he and his people had to endure, the pamphlet is a responsible source on the events of which it treats, and is also interesting for the considerable measure of learning it reveals in Strang".[15]
Tensions finally came to a head on June 20, 1856, when two Strangite malcontents shot Strang in the back, leading to his death three weeks later. Since Strang refused to appoint a successor,[16] and insisted that the next Strangite prophet must be chosen and ordained by angels just as he and Smith had been,[17] Strang's church was left leaderless and vulnerable. One day before his death, vigilantes from Mackinac Island and other Lake Michigan communities converged on Beaver Island. The Strangites were rounded up, forced onto hastily commandeered steamships, and removed from the island. Most were simply dumped onto docks in Chicago and Green Bay, destitute and deprived of all their property.
After Strang
A few congregations of Strangites, however, remained loyal to their prophet's memory.
The first group no longer emphasizes missionary work, as they tend to believe that after three murdered prophets (Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Strang), God closed his dispensation to the "gentiles" of the West.[20] Consequently, this group's congregation remains small. Current membership figures vary between 50 and 300 persons, depending upon the source consulted.[21]
There are two groups among the second. One group has a website based in Independence, Missouri,[22] and the second has a website based in Shreveport, Louisiana.[23] Both conduct missionary work on the Internet.
Scriptures
The Strangites "believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; [and] also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God,"[citation needed] just as do most other Latter Day Saint denominations. They consider editions of the Doctrine and Covenants published prior to Smith's death (which contained the Lectures on Faith) to be scripture.
Strangites hold the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible to be inspired, but do not believe modern publications of the text are accurate, so they "cautiously use the publication of his earliest corrections published as the 'Inspired Version' or 'Joseph Smith Translation' by the sons of Joseph Smith in Plano, Ill., 1867." Strangites do not have any official stance on the Book of Abraham.
Strang's
The Strangites also hold as scripture several prophecies, visions, revelations, and translations printed by Strang, and published in the Revelations of James J. Strang. This text contains his purported "letter of appointment" from Smith and his translation of the Voree plates. The Book of Jasher was consistently used by both Smith and Strang, but as with other Latter Day Saint denominations, there is no official stance on its authenticity and it is not considered canonical.[26]
Doctrines
Monarchy and priesthood
One distinctive difference between Strangites and other Latter Day Saints concerns the singular subdivisions Strang makes within the Melchizedek priesthood, which his Book of the Law refers to as "The Priesthood of an endless life," and the Aaronic priesthood, referred to as "the Priesthood of life."[27]
In the Melchizedek priesthood, Strang enumerates two "orders," that of "Apostles," and that of "Priests."[27]
Apostles are subdivided into four "degrees":
- The Prophet/President of the Strangite church is openly referred to throughout the book as a "King," rather than as a "President".[28]
- The President's Counselors are designated as "Viceroys." Viceroys are referred to as "kings," too, though this does not indicate a share in the unique royal dignity accorded to the President/King.[29]
- Strang's Twelve Apostles are named as "Princes in his Kingdom forever."[30] The leader of Strang's Apostles is designated as "Prince and Grand Master of the Seventies."[31]
- A quorum of "Evangelists" (not to be confused with the office of Patriarch) is established, to be Apostles to a single "nation, kindred, tongue or people"—unlike the Twelve, who were sent to all nations. Seven Evangelists form a quorum, and Strang noted that such a body had never been organized "in this dispensation"[32] (and nor did Strang organize one). This is a unique priesthood office in the Latter Day Saint movement.
Priests are subdivided into two "degrees":
- High Priests are to include "all inferiour Kings, Patriarchs, or heads of tribes, and Nobles, or heads of clans."[33] Furthermore, Strang continued, "They who hold it are called Sons of God."[34] From this group, said the Book of the Law, the king is to select "counsellors, judges and rulers."[34] Furthermore, the Book of the Law limits consecration of the Eucharist to High Priests and Apostles,[35]as opposed to other Latter Day Saint sects, who follow the Doctrine and Covenants in permitting Elders and Priests also to do so.
- The "degree" of Elder includes both the offices of Seventy and Elder as generally constituted in Smith's church.[36]
In the Aaronic priesthood, Strang enumerates three "orders":[37]
- Priests are subdivided into two "courses": Sacrificators and Singers. The course of Singers is opened to women. Each temple is to have a Chief Priest, assisted by a first and second High Priest.[38] Strangite "Sacrificators" are to kill sacrifices in accordance with appropriate provisions of the Book of the Law. Female priests are specifically barred from killing sacrifices.[39] The Doctrine and Covenants functions of preaching and baptizing are retained as well.[39]
In addition, a "King's Council" and a "King's Court" are established, though none function within the Strangite church today.[44] While no direct link is made between the King's Court and the "High Council" established in the Doctrine and Covenants,[45] certain parallels exist, such as requiring all members to hold the High Priesthood, and limiting their number to twelve.[46]
Although Strang briefly retained the services of Apostle William Smith as "Chief Patriarch" of his church,[47] he makes no mention of this office anywhere in his book.
No Apostles (of any degree) exist within the Strangite organization today, as all must be appointed by a Strangite prophet, and the prophet himself must be appointed by God through the direct ministry of angels. The "incorporated" group of Strangites has high priests, but the "non-incorporated" group does not, insisting that the first body does not currently possess authority to ordain any.[48] Both factions enjoy the ministry of Elders and Aaronic Priesthood offices.
The Decalogue
Another unique feature of Strangite doctrine is its singular version of the
While not in the list of commandments, this admonition appears in the Hebrew Bible in Leviticus 19:18, and five times in the New Testament. In his "Note on the Decalogue,"[51] Strang asserted that no other version of the Decalogue contains more than nine commandments and speculated that his fourth commandment was lost perhaps as early as Josephus' time (circa 37-100 AD). Strang's version of the Decalogue (together with the rest of his teaching) are rejected by all non-Strangite Mormon factions, including the mainline LDS Church.
The full text of the fourth commandment according to the Strangites reads:
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: thou shalt not revile him, nor speak evil of him, nor curse him: thou shalt do no injustice unto him; and thou shalt maintain his right, against his enemy: thou shalt not exact rigorously of him, nor turn aside from relieving him: thou shalt deliver him from the snare and the pit, and shalt return his ox when he strayeth: thou shalt comfort him when he mourns, and nurture him when he sickens: thou shalt not abate the price of what thou buyest of him, for his necessity; nor shalt thou exact of him, because he leaneth upon thee: for in so doing thousands shall rise up and call thee blessed, and the Lord thy God shall strengthen thee in all the work of thy hand.[52]
Ordination of women
As noted above, the Strangite organization opens two priesthood offices to women: Priest and Teacher. While only the "course" of "Singer" in the office of Priest (as opposed to "Sacrificator") is permitted to females,[39] all five "degrees" in the office of Teacher are available.[40] Women may serve as "leaders" of the Singers.[40] Strang ordained women to these ministries as early as 1851, and allowed them to lecture in his School of the Prophets by 1856.[53] Another denomination, the Community of Christ, began ordaining women to the priesthood in 1984,[54] while most other Latter Day Saint churches do not ordain women to the priesthood.
Animal sacrifice
Animal sacrifice was instituted in the Strangite church under Strang's leadership,[55] primarily as a part of Strangite celebration rituals. Though the chapter on "Sacrifices" in Strang's Book of the Law of the Lord speaks of them as being offered for sins, the prohibition on such sacrifices contained in 3 Nephi 9:19–20,[56] meant that Strang focused instead on sacrifice as an element of religious festivities,[57] especially the commemoration of his own coronation as king (July 8, 1850).[58] The head of every house, from the king to his lowest subject, was to offer "a heifer, or a lamb, or a dove. Every man a clean beast, or a clean fowl, according to his household."[59]
The killing of sacrifices was a prerogative of Strangite Priests,[60] but female Priests were specifically barred from participating in this aspect of the priestly office.[39] "Firstfruits" offerings were also demanded from all Strangite agricultural harvests.[61]
Animal sacrifices are no longer practiced by the Strangites, but belief in their correctness is still required.
Monotheism and the vocation of Jesus Christ
Strangites reject
Jesus Christ, Strangites believe, was the natural-born son of
Free agency
Musing at length on the nature of
Sabbatarianism
Strangites observe the seventh-day Sabbath — i.e., Saturday — as the Book of the Law commanded it, in lieu of Sunday.[70]
Baptism for the dead
Strangites believe in baptism for the dead and practiced it to a limited extent in Voree and on Beaver Island. However, rather than simply baptizing for anyone whose name can be located, Strang required a revelation for those seeking to have a baptism done for someone outside of a close relative "within the fourth degree of consanguinity".[71] This could come through dreams, angelic appearances, or other means listed within Strang's revelation on the subject. While still believed in, baptisms for the dead are not currently performed in the Strangite church due to the lack of a temple and prophetic leadership.[72]
Eternal marriage
Eternal marriage is taught in the Strangite church, but unlike in the LDS Church, it is not required to be performed in a temple.[73] Strangite Priests, Elders, High Priests or Apostles (of all four degrees) may perform this ceremony.[74] Eternal marriages are still contracted among the Strangites today.
Same-sex marriage and homosexuality in general are not permitted within the Strangite organization.[75]
Conservation of resources
Conservation of forests and resources is mandated by the Strangites.[76] Within Strang's Beaver Island kingdom and other places where Strangites were numerous, groves of trees were to be maintained upon each farm, village and town. Farms and cities without trees were required to plant them, and to establish parklands so that "the aged and the young may go there to rest and to play."[77] Although Strang's kingdom has disappeared, his followers still endeavor to practice basic conservation measures.[citation needed]
Polygamy
Strang's defense of polygamy was rather woman-centered. He claimed that far from enslaving or demeaning women, it liberated and "elevated" them by allowing them to choose the best possible mate based upon any factors deemed important to them even if that mate were already married to someone else.[79] Rather than being forced to wed "corrupt and degraded sires" from the scarcity of more suitable men, a woman could wed the one she saw as the most compatible to herself, the best candidate to father her children and the man who could give her the best possible life, no matter how many other wives he might have.[80]
The practice of plural marriage has never been officially proscribed in the Strangite church, unlike in the LDS Church.[81] Only twenty-two men entered into polygamy, and most of them took only one additional wife.[82] Strang took four additional wives,[83] the most of any member in his church.
Polygamy was apparently practiced by a few Strangites up to 1880 or so, including by Wingfield W. Watson, a Strangite High Priest who knew and served under Strang.[82] However, with federal and state bans on the practice, and a divine injunction to obey "the law of the land,"[84] plural marriage has been given up in the contemporary Strangite organization, though belief in its correctness is still required and affirmed.[82]
Strangites reject Section 132 of the LDS Church's Doctrine and Covenants,[85] regarding it as a forgery from 1852 that was never received or approved by Smith.[82]
Temples
Strang began to construct a temple in Voree, but was prevented from completing it because of the poverty and the lack of co-operation of his followers.[86] No "endowment" rituals comparable to those in the LDS Church appear to have existed among his followers,[87] and Strangites believe that only a prophet of God has the ability to receive a revelation to direct the building of a Temple. Because there is no current prophet of the church, there are no current plans for the creation of a Temple.[88]
African Americans
Strangites welcomed African Americans into their church when some other factions (such as the LDS Church, until 1978) denied them the priesthood or certain other benefits of membership. Strang ordained at least two African Americans to the eldership during his lifetime.[89]
See also
Footnotes
- ^ The "Bickertonites," as they are commonly called, obtained their historical and priesthood lineage from Rigdon's organization, but their beliefs are not identical to Rigdon's sect in every respect.
- ^ Though construction on a temple was started at this site, it was never completed, due to the poverty and divisions among Strang's followers.
- ^ The first group has one website: http://www.ldsstrangite.com; the second has two: http://www.strangite.org, and http://www.mormonbeliefs.com.
References
- ^ a b Strang, James J., The Revelations of James J. Strang, Section 4:1–11.
- ^ "FAQ".
- ^ a b "History and Succession". Strangite.org. Retrieved October 28, 2007. This compares to approximately 50,000 for Brigham Young at this same time. See "Church membership: 1830–2006," at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/search.
- ^ http://www.ils.unc.edu/~unsworth/mormon/jssuccessor.html Archived 2007-08-28 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Quinn, D. Michael (1976). "The Mormon Succession Crisis of 1844". BYU Studies Quarterly. 16 (2): 195. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- S2CID 234173343. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Strang's own son, Charles Strang, took this position. See Smith, Heman, History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,] vol. 3, chapter 2, pp. 52–53.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Doyle C. (1970). The King Strang Story: A Vindication of James J, Strang, the Beaver Island Mormon King. National Heritage., p. 151.
- ^ (August 12, 1847). Voree Herald as quoted in Fitzpatrick, pp. 74–75. See also apostle John E. Page at this same source, on his conversations with Strang on the subject.
- ^ Church Educational System, "Chapter 28: Utah in Isolation", Church History In The Fulness Of Times Student Manual (Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church, 2003).
- ^ Erekson, Keith and Newell, Lloyd: A Gathering Place for the Scandinavian People: Conversion, Retention and Gathering in Norway, Illinois (1842–1849), pp. 28–29.
- ^ Strang, James J. (1856) Book of the Law of the Lord, Being a Translation From the Egyptian of the Law Given to Moses in Sinai. Archived 2007-10-13 at the Wayback Machine St. James: Royal Press, p. 293.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Doyle C. (1970) The King Strang Story: A Vindication of James J. Strang, the Beaver Island Mormon King. National Heritage, p. 199.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, p. 208.
- ^ Dale L. Morgan, Bibliography, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite).
- ^ "Kingdom with a Dominion Archived 2007-09-25 at the Wayback Machine". MormonBeliefs.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 163–66.
- ^ Revelations Archived 2018-05-14 at the Wayback Machine. Mormon Beliefs.
- ^ "The 1961 Strangite Split Archived 2007-09-25 at the Wayback Machine". MormonBeliefs.com.
- ^ "Mormonism: time of the Gentiles ended Archived 2007-09-25 at the Wayback Machine". MormonBeliefs.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ "43,941 adherent statistic citations: membership and geography data for 4,300+ religions, churches, tribes, etc.[permanent dead link]" Adherents.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". July 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mormon Beliefs". 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
- ^ Deuteronomy 29:21, Joshua 1:8; II Kings 22:8; II Chronicles 17:9; Nehemiah 8:3.
- ^ "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – Mormons – Scriptures". Strangite.org. Retrieved on 2009-02-03.
- ^ "Zion's Reveille: Dedicated to the Gospel of Christ as Restored by Joseph Smith, Jr. and James J. Strang Archived 2008-05-13 at the Wayback Machine". Strangite.net. Retrieved on 2009-02-04.
- ^ a b Book of the Law, p. 214.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 168–180, 214–219.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 181–182; 219–220. See especially the notes on p. 182.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 191–192. Capitalization as in original.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 195.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 224.
- ^ Book of the Law, p.224.
- ^ a b Book of the Law, p. 193.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 145.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 224–225, 194–197.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 225.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 225–227, 198–199.
- ^ a b c d Book of the Law, p. 199.
- ^ a b c d Book of the Law, p. 227.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 200–201.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 201.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 202.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 183–184.
- ^ See Doctrine & Covenants 102:1–3,5–6,8,12,24–30. All references to the D&C are to the LDS edition.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 185.
- ^ Zion's Reveille, January 14, 1847. http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu//IA/JStrang1.htm#011447.
- ^ Priesthood. Retrieved on 2009-08-09.
- ^ Exodus 20:2–17; Deuteronomy 5:6–21.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 24–25. This commandment is number four in Strang's version of the Decalogue.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 38–46.
- ^ "Book of the Law of the Lord". www.strangite.org. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Hajicek, John, Intolerance toward Great Lakes Mormons. http://www.mormonism.com/out-2.htm.
- ^ Community of Christ Doctrine and Covenants 156:9. http://www.centerplace.org/library/study/dc/rdc-156.htm. All offices were opened, not just Priest and Teacher.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 106–109.
- ^ Book of Mormon.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 293–297. See also [1] Archived 2002-06-19 at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 293.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 293–294.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 199, note 2.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 295–297.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 147–158, "Note on the Sacrifice of Christ". This was an essay written by Strang himself, not a translation from the Plates of Laban. It does not appear in the 1851 edition but is considered an integral part of the 1856 edition and is fully accepted as Scripture by the Strangites.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 47–86, "The True God". This section was "written by the prophet James, by inspiration of God." Book of the Law, page x.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 47–63.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 157–158, note 9.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 165–166.
- ^ Book of the law, pp. 155–158.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 152–153.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 155.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp.22–23.
- ^ Book of the Law, page 137.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 136–141. See also "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link). - ^ Book of the Law, p. 159. See also http://www.strangite.org/Women.htm Archived 2013-01-13 at archive.today.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 159.
- ^ Marriage, Sex, Adultery Archived 2007-10-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2009-08-09.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 286–287.
- ^ Book of the Law, p. 287.
- ^ a b Book of the Law, p. 314.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 326–327.
- ^ Book of the Law, pp. 312–328.
- ^ http://www.strangite.org/Women.htm Archived 2013-01-13 at archive.today. For the LDS ban, see [2][permanent dead link].
- ^ a b c d http://www.strangite.org/Women.htm Archived 2013-01-13 at archive.today.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, p. 117.
- ^ Doctrine and Covenants 58:21.
- JSTOR 23290737.
- ^ "Temple Locations". Strangite.org. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ "Women/Marriage Archived 2013-01-13 at archive.today". Strangite.org. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ "FAQ". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite). Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "African-Americans". Strangite.org. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
External links
Websites
Three different websites exist for various branches of the Strangite church:
- Official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
- Mormon Beliefs, unincorporated Strangites based in Shreveport, Louisiana
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
Publications
These publications are believed in by all Strangites, regardless of faction:
- The Voree Plates A detailed description of the "Voree Plates" and the story behind them, from a Strangite point of view.
- Book of the Law of the Lord, Edition of 1851 First Edition, without Strang's commentary.
- Book of the Law of the Lord, Edition of 1856 Second Edition of this work; contains Strang's commentary and notes, also considered to be scripture by Strangites.
- The Revelations of James J. Strang contains text of "Letter of Appointment", together with translation of the "Voree Plates" and other revelations given by Strang. Includes a facsimile of the "plates".
Other
- "A Strangite Time" backstoryradio.org