James J. Strang
Founder and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
Born	March 21, 1813(1813-03-21) Scipio, New York, U.S.
Died	July 9, 1856 (aged 43) Voree, Wisconsin, U.S.

James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was one of three major contenders for leadership of the Latter Day Saint movement during the 1844 Succession Crisis. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Scipio is a Town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1537 at the 2000 census The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Voree is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, in The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Please see the talk page for this article and the "See also" list before adding content or adding a hyphen to Latter Day Saint The succession crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement occurred after the violent death of the movement's founder Joseph Smith Jr Rejected by the principal body of Mormons^a in Nauvoo, Illinois, he became the founder and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite),^b claiming it to be the sole legitimate continuation of the Church of Christ founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr.. There is also a Nauvoo Alabama, and a Nauvoo Pennsylvania Nauvoo ( is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois Prophet seer and revelator is an ecclesiastical title used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is currently applied to the members of the First Presidency The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement with more than a thousand members See also Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (disambiguation The Church of Christ, later called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was the In this capacity, he served as the crowned "king" of an ecclesiastical monarchy that existed for six years within the U. S. state of Michigan. Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. Building an organization that eventually rivaled Brigham Young's, Strang gained nearly 12,000 adherents^[1] prior to his murder in 1856, which brought down his Beaver Island kingdom and all but extinguished his sect. Brigham Young (June 1 1801 &ndash August 29 1877 was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement.

In contrast to Joseph Smith, who had served as "president" of his church, Strang taught that Smith's prophetic office embodied an overtly royal attribute, by which its occupant was to be not only the spiritual leader of his people, but their temporal king as well. A king is a male Monarch, or a Head of state, who may or may not depending on the style of government of a nation exercise monarchal powers over a territory usually ^[2][3] He offered a sophisticated set of teachings that differed in many significant aspects from any other version of Mormonism, including that preached by Smith. To bolster his prophetic claims, Strang published translations of two allegedly long-lost works: the Voree Record, deciphered from three metal plates unearthed in response to a vision; and the Book of the Law of the Lord, transcribed from the Plates of Laban mentioned in The Book of Mormon. The Voree Plates, sometimes called The Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito or the Voree Record, were a set of three tiny metal plates discovered by James J The Book of the Law of the Lord is a book accepted as Scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite. This article is about Laban a person in The Book of Mormon. For other uses see Laban. The Book of Mormon is a Sacred text of the churches in the Latter Day Saint movement. These are accepted as scripture by his followers, but not by any other Latter Day Saint church.

Additionally, Strang was at various times a lawyer, educator, temperance lecturer, newspaper editor, Baptist minister, correspondent for the New York Tribune, state legislator, and amateur scientist. Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. The New York Tribune was an American newspaper first established by Horace Greeley in 1841 which was long considered one of the leading Newspapers in the His survey of Beaver Island's natural history was published by the Smithsonian Institution, remaining the definitive work on the subject for nearly a century,^[4] while his career in the Michigan legislature was praised even by his enemies. The Smithsonian Institution (smɪθsoʊnɪən is an educational and research institute and associated Museum complex administered and funded by the Government of

Contents 1 Summary of Latter Day Saint leadership 2 Childhood, education and conversion 3 Succession claim and notable early allies 4 From monogamist to polygamist 5 Theological contributions 5.1 Publications 5.2 Distinctive dogmas 5.3 Practices 6 Coronation and troubled reign on Beaver Island 7 Assassination 8 Death of a kingdom 9 Footnotes 10 Citations 11 References 12 External links

Summary of Latter Day Saint leadership

James Strang was baptised by Joseph Smith, Jr. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 25, 1844 in Nauvoo, Illinois. See also Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (disambiguation The Church of Christ, later called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was the Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year On March 3 of that year, he was ordained an Elder by Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother. Elder is a priesthood office in the Melchizedek Priesthood of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ For others named Hyrum Smith see Hyrum Smith (disambiguation Hyrum Smith ( February 9, 1800 – June 27, 1844 Shortly after Smith's murder on June 27, 1844, Strang announced that Smith had appointed him to take over leadership of the church. Preparation for succession See also Succession crisis (Mormonism Joseph's brother Hyrum Smith, the Assistant President of the Church, was Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year His claims were quickly rejected by ten of Smith's Twelve Apostles, who gained the support of most church members in Nauvoo. However, Strang managed to win enough disciples to form a viable organization of his own. Among the more prominent of these were four of the eleven "witnesses" to The Book of Mormon,^c three of Joseph Smith's apostles,^d a leading bishop of his church,^{e [5]} and several members of Smith's family, including his mother. The Book of Mormon witnesses are a group of contemporaries of Joseph Smith Jr Bishop is the highest priesthood office of the Aaronic priesthood in the Latter Day Saint movement. Nearly all of these later repudiated Strang, however, mostly due to his eventual sanctioning of polygamy. The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning "the practice of multiple marriage" is used in related ways in Social anthropology, Sociobiology, and Many would later go on to help in founding the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,^f which became the primary advocate of a non-polygamous version of the Latter Day Saint religion.

Strang's church was originally centered in Voree, Wisconsin, just outside present-day Burlington, which his "Letter of Appointment" named as the new "gathering place" for the Latter Day Saints. Voree is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, in Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States Burlington is a city mostly in Racine County, but partially in Walworth County and Kenosha County in the U The Letter of Appointment was a controversial three-page document used by James J In 1848, Strang moved his followers to Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, where he was proclaimed the "king" of his people in 1850. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. ^[6] While his church suffered persecution there, it continued to grow, steadily gaining converts from other Latter Day Saint sects until Strang's assassination in 1856. His followers were subsequently driven from the island, and while most later disavowed him, a small but devout remnant still practices Strang's teachings today.

Strang's organization is formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement with more than a thousand members ^b During the nineteenth century, followers of Brigham Young were sometimes referred to as "Brighamites," while those of Sidney Rigdon were called "Rigdonites," and disciples of Strang became "Strangites". Brigham Young (June 1 1801 &ndash August 29 1877 was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. Sidney Rigdon ( 19 February 1793 – 14 July 1876) was an important figure in the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement. ^{g [7]} Though the term "Strangite" is not officially a part of their church name, it is usually added to the title to avoid confusing them with other Latter Day Saint bodies.

Childhood, education and conversion

James Jesse Strang was born March 21, 1813, in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Scipio is a Town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1537 at the 2000 census Cayuga County is a County located in the US state of New York. He was the second of three children, and his parents had a good reputation in their community. James' mother was very tender with him as a consequence of delicate health, yet she required him to render an account of all his actions and words while absent from her. ^[8] In a brief autobiography he wrote in 1855, Strang reported that he had attended grade school until age twelve, but that "the terms were usually short, the teachers inexperienced and ill qualified to teach, and my health such as to preclude attentive study or steady attendance. " He estimated that his time in a classroom during those years totalled six months. ^[9]

But none of this meant that Strang was illiterate or simple. Although his teachers "not unfrequently turned me off with little or no attention, as though I was too stupid to learn and too dull to feel neglect," Strang recalled that he spent "long weary days. . . upon the floor, thinking, thinking, thinking. . . . my mind wandered over fields that old men shrink from, seeking rest and finding none till darkness gathered thick around and I burst into tears. "^[10] He studied works by Thomas Paine and the Comte de Volney,^[4] whose book Les Ruines exerted a significant influence on the future prophet. Thomas Paine (January 29 1737 &ndash June 8 1809 was an English Pamphleteer, Revolutionary, radical, Inventor, and Intellectual Constantin François de Chassebœuf, Comte de Volney ( February 3, 1757 - April 25, 1820) was a French philosopher ^[11]

As a youth, Strang kept a rather profound personal diary, written partly in a secret code that was not deciphered until over one hundred years after it was authored (ironically, by Strang's own grandson Mark Strang, a banker in Long Beach, California). This journal contains Strang's musings on a variety of topics, including his desire to "rival Caesar or Napoleon" and his regret that by age nineteen, he had not yet become a general or member of the state legislature, which he saw as being essential by that point in his life to his quest for fame. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. ^[12] However, Strang's diary equally reveals a sincere desire to be of service to his fellow man, together with agonized frustration at not knowing how he might do so as a penniless, unknown youth from upstate New York.

At age twelve, Strang was baptised a Baptist. He did not wish to follow his father's calling as a farmer, so he took up the study of civil law. Strang was admitted to the bar in New York at age 23 and later at other places where he resided. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous He became county Postmaster and edited a local newspaper, the Randolph Herald. Postmaster (or Postmistress) refers to the head of an individual Post office. ^[13] Later, in the midst of his myriad duties on Beaver Island, he would find time to found and publish the Daily Northern Islander, the first newspaper in northern Michigan. ^[14]

Strang, who once described himself as a "cool philosopher"^[4] and a freethinker, became a Baptist minister but left in February of 1844 to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that Beliefs should be formed on the basis of Science and Logic and should not be influenced In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known He quickly found favor with Joseph Smith, though they had known each other only a short time, and was baptized personally by him. ^[15][16] Immediately ordained an Elder, Strang was sent forthwith at Smith's request to Wisconsin, to establish a Mormon stake at Voree. A stake is an administrative unit composed of multiple congregations in denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. Voree is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, in Shortly after Strang's departure, Joseph Smith was murdered by an anti-Mormon mob in Carthage, Illinois. Carthage is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States.

Succession claim and notable early allies

Main article: Succession crisis

Following Smith's demise, several men claimed the right to lead the Latter Day Saints. The most significant of these were Brigham Young, president of Smith's Twelve Apostles; Sidney Rigdon, the sole surviving member of Smith's First Presidency; and James Strang. Sidney Rigdon ( 19 February 1793 – 14 July 1876) was an important figure in the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement. In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church A power struggle ensued, and Young eventually led the bulk of Smith's followers to Utah while Rigdon led his to Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern As a newcomer to the faith, Strang did not possess the name recognition enjoyed by his rivals, and so faced an "uphill" battle in his quest to be recognized as the heir to Smith's prophetic mantle. Though the Quorum of Twelve published a notice in the Times and Seasons of Strang's excommunication,^[17] Strang insisted that he had never received a legitimate trial. Times and Seasons was a Nineteenth-century Latter Day Saint periodical published monthly or twice-monthly at Nauvoo, Illinois, from He equally asserted that the Twelve had no right to sit in judgment on him, as he was the lawful President of the church. ^[18]

To back his claim, Strang produced a "Letter of Appointment" allegedly from Smith, carrying a Nauvoo postmark and dated June 18, 1844. The Letter of Appointment was a controversial three-page document used by James J A postmark is a Postal marking made on a letter, Package, Postcard or the like indicating Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year He furthermore testified that an angel appointed him as Joseph Smith's successor at the time Smith died. An angel is a Spiritual Supernatural being found in many Religions Although the nature of angels and the tasks given to them vary from tradition to tradition Smith and Strang were some 200 miles (320 km) apart at the time, and Strang offered witnesses to affirm that he had made his announcement before news of Smith's demise was publicly available. ^[19] Strang's letter is held today by Yale University. Although the postmark is legitimate, some modern analysts have asserted that Joseph Smith's signature on the third page is a forgery. Forgery is the process of making adapting or imitating objects statistics or documents (see False document) with the intent to deceive. ^[20][21] One former Strangite claimed that Strang's law partner conspired with Strang to fabricate his Letter of Appointment and the Voree Plates, though no proof of this was ever produced. The Voree Plates, sometimes called The Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito or the Voree Record, were a set of three tiny metal plates discovered by James J ^[22]

Strang's letter convinced several eminent Mormons of his claims. Book of Mormon witnesses John and David Whitmer, Martin Harris and Hiram Page, Apostles John E. Page, William E. M'Lellin, and William Smith, Smith's sisters, Nauvoo Stake President William Marks, Bishop George Miller, and Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, with others, accepted Strang at first. John Whitmer (1802&ndash1878 was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. David Whitmer ( January 7, 1805 &ndash January 25, 1888) was an early adherent of the Latter Day Saint movement who eventually became Martin Harris ( May 18, 1783 &ndash July 10, 1875) underwrote the first printing of The Book of Mormon and also served as one of Hiram Page (1800&ndash1852 was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement and one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates John Edward Page ( February 25, 1799 – 14 October 1867) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. William Earl M'Lellin ( January 18, 1806 – April 24, 1883) (often modernized to McLellin) was an early leader in the Latter William Smith (also found as William B Smith) ( March 13 1811 – November 13, 1893) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement William Marks ( November 15, 1792 &ndash May 22, 1872) was a leader in the early days of the Latter Day Saint movement and was a member George Miller ( November 25, 1794 – 1856 was a prominent convert in the Latter Day Saint movement and was the third ordained bishop in the Lucy Mack Smith ( July 8, 1775 - May 14, 1856) was the mother of Joseph Smith Jr Lucy Smith wrote to one Reuben Hedlock: "I am satisfied that Joseph appointed J. J. Strang. It is verily so. "^[23] According to Joseph Smith's brother William, all of his family (except for Hyrum and Samuel Smith's widows), initially endorsed Strang. Samuel Harrison Smith ( 1808-03-13 – 1844-07-30) was one of the younger brothers of Joseph Smith Jr ^[23]

Also championing Strang was John C. Bennett, a physician and libertine who had enjoyed a less than stellar career as Joseph Smith's Assistant President and mayor of Nauvoo. John Cook Bennett (1804&ndash1867 was an American physician and a ranking and influential&mdashbut short-lived&mdashleader of the Latter Day Saint movement, who acted as Libertine has come to mean one devoid of any restraints especially one who ignores or even spurns religious norms accepted morals and forms of behaviour sanctioned by the larger society Assistant President of the Church (also referred to as Associate President of the Church) was a position in the leadership hierarchy in the early days of the Latter Day Invited by Strang to join him in Voree,^[24] Bennett was instrumental in establishing a so-called "Halcyon Order of the Illuminati" there, with Strang as its "Imperial Primate. "Illuminata" redirects here For the 1998 John Turturro film see Illuminata (film. "^[4] Eventually Bennett's profligate ways caught up with him, as in Nauvoo, and Strang expelled him in 1847. ^[25] His "order" fell by the wayside and has no role in Strangism today, though it did lead to conflict between Strang and some of his associates.

From monogamist to polygamist

About 12,000 Latter Day Saints ultimately accepted Strang's claims. ^[26] However, not all of these followed him to Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, where Strang's headquarters was moved in 1848. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. Most of his initial adherents, including all of those listed above (with the exception of George Miller, who remained loyal to Strang until death), would leave Strang's church before his demise. John E. Page departed in July of 1849, accusing Strang of dictatorial tendencies and concurring with Bennett's furtive "Illuminati" order. ^[27] Martin Harris had broken with Strang by January of 1847,^[28] after a failed mission to England. Hiram Page and the Whitmers also left around this time.

Most defections, however, were due to Strang's seemingly abrupt "about-face" on the turbulent subject of polygamy. Vehemently opposed to the practice at first,^[29] Strang reversed course in 1849 to become one of its strongest advocates, marrying five wives (including his original spouse, Mary) and fathering fourteen children. Since many of his early disciples viewed him as a monogamous counterweight to Brigham Young's polygamous version of Mormonism, Strang's decision to embrace plural marriage proved costly to him and his organization. Strang defended his new tenet by claiming that, far from enslaving or demeaning women, polygamy would liberate and "elevate" 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. Rather than being forced to wed "corrupt and degraded sires" due to the scarcity of more suitable men, a woman could marry the man she saw as the most compatible to herself, the best candidate to father her children and give her the finest possible life, no matter how many other wives he might have. ^[30]

Strang's first wife was Mary Perce, whom he married on November 20, 1836, when she was eighteen and he was twenty-three. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Year 1836 ( MDCCCXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap They were separated in May of 1851, though they remained legally married until Strang's death. ^[31] His second wife, married on July 13, 1849, was nineteen-year old Elvira Eliza Field (who disguised herself at first as "Charlie J. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1849 ( MDCCCXLIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Douglas," Strang's purported nephew, before revealing her true identity in 1850). Strang's third wife was thirty-one year old Betsy McNutt, whom he married on January 19, 1852; his fourth was nineteen-year old Sarah Adelia Wright, married on July 15, 1855. Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 1852 ( MDCCCLII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 1855 ( MDCCCLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year Ironically, decades after Strang's death, Sarah would divorce her second husband, one Dr. Wing, due to his interest in polygamy. ^[32] Strang's last wife was eighteen-year old Phoebe Wright, cousin to Sarah, whom he wed on October 27, 1855, less than one year before his murder. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. Year 1855 ( MDCCCLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year

Sarah Wright described Strang as "a very mild-spoken, kind man to his family, although his word was law. " She wrote that while each wife had her own bedroom, they shared meals and devotional time together with Strang and that life in their household was "as pleasant as possible. "^[4][31] On the other hand, Strang and Phoebe Wright's daughter, Eugenia, wrote in 1936 that after only eight months of marriage, her mother had "begun to feel dissatisfied with polygamy, though she loved him [Strang] devotedly all her life. "^[33]

Theological contributions

Publications

Like Joseph Smith, James Strang reported numerous visions, unearthed and translated ancient metal plates using the Urim and Thummim, and claimed to have restored long-lost spiritual knowledge to humankind. In ancient Israelite religion and culture Urim and Thummim (האורים והתומים Standard   haʾUrim vəhaTummim Like Smith, he presented witnesses to authenticate the records he claimed to have received. ^[34] Unlike Smith, however, Strang offered his plates to the public for examination. The non-Mormon Christopher Sholes–inventor of the typewriter and editor of a local newspaper–perused Strang's "Voree Plates", a minuscule brass chronicle Strang said he had been led to by a vision in 1845. Christopher Latham Sholes ( February 14, 1819 - February 17, 1890) was an American Inventor who invented the first The Voree Plates, sometimes called The Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito or the Voree Record, were a set of three tiny metal plates discovered by James J ^[35] Sholes offered no opinion on Strang's find, but described the would-be prophet as "honest and earnest" and opined that his followers ranked "among the most honest and intelligent men in the neighborhood. "^[36] Strang published his translation of these plates as the "Voree Record," purporting to be the last testament of one "Rajah Manchou of Vorito," who had lived in the area centuries earlier and wished to leave a brief statement for posterity. While many scoffed, two modern scholars have affirmed that the text on the plates appears to represent a genuine, albeit unknown, language. ^[37] The Voree Plates disappeared around 1900, and their current whereabouts is unknown. ^[35]

Strang also claimed to have translated the "Plates of Laban" described in the Book of Mormon. This article is about Laban a person in The Book of Mormon. For other uses see Laban. The Book of Mormon is a Sacred text of the churches in the Latter Day Saint movement. ^[38] This translation was published in 1851 as the Book of the Law of the Lord, said to be the original Law given to Moses and mentioned in II Chronicles 34:14-15. The Book of the Law of the Lord is a book accepted as Scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite. ^[39] Greatly expanded and republished in 1856, this book served as the constitution for Strang's spiritual kingdom on Beaver Island, and is still accepted as scripture by Strangites. One distinctive feature (besides its overtly monarchial tone) is its restoration of a "missing" commandment to the Decalogue: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a list of religious and moral imperatives that according to Judeo-Christian tradition were authored by God and given " Strang insisted that versions of the Decalogue found in Bibles used by other churches--including other Latter Day Saint churches--contain only nine commandments, not ten. ^[40]

Strang received several other revelations, which while never formally added to his church's Doctrine and Covenants, are nevertheless accepted as scripture by his followers. The Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes abbreviated and cited as D&C) is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the ^[41] These concerned, among other things, Baptism for the Dead, the building of a temple in Voree, the standing of Sidney Rigdon, and an invitation for Joseph Smith III, eldest son of Joseph Smith, Jr. Joseph Smith III ( November 6, 1832 – December 10, 1914) was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith Jr , to take a position as Counselor in Strang's First Presidency. First Presidency The First Presidency (also called the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church or simply the Presidency) is the presiding or governing authority First Presidency The First Presidency (also called the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church or simply the Presidency) is the presiding or governing authority "Young Joseph" never accepted this calling and refused to have anything to do with Strang's organization. Strang also authored The Diamond, an attack on the claims of Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young, and The Prophetic Controversy, ostensibly for Mrs. Martha Coray, co-author with Lucy Mack Smith of The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother (ISBN 1570082677 is a non-fiction book about the Latter Day Saint prophet Joseph Smith 's life from the view of Coray, a partisan of Brigham Young's, had challenged "the vain usurper" to provide convincing evidence of his claims,^[42] and Strang attempted to oblige in this open letter addressed to her. Coray's reaction to Strang's missive has not been preserved.

Distinctive dogmas

Some of Strang's teachings differed substantially from those of other Latter Day Saint leaders, including Joseph Smith. For instance, Strang rejected the traditional Christian doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ and the Mormon doctrine of "plurality of gods. The virgin birth of Jesus is a religious Tenet of Christianity and Islam which holds that Mary miraculously conceived Jesus while Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) The plurality of gods usually refers to a unique concept taught by Joseph Smith and several other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. " A monotheist, he insisted that there was but one eternal God of all the universe, the Father, and that "progression to godhood" (a doctrine allegedly taught by Joseph Smith toward the end of his life)^[43] was impossible. For the Celtic Frost album see Monotheist (album In Theology, monotheism (from Greek grc [[wiktμόνος μόνος]] God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. In many religions the supreme Deity ( God) is given the title and attributions of Father. Exaltation or Eternal Life is a Belief among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church that mankind can return to live in God had always been God, said Strang, and He was but one Person (not three, as in the traditional Christian Trinity). SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных ^[44] Jesus Christ, said Strang, was the natural-born son of Mary and Joseph, who was chosen from before all time to be the Savior of mankind, but who had to be born as an ordinary mortal of two human parents (rather than being the offspring of the Father or the Holy Spirit) to be able to fulfill his Messianic role. Joseph "of the House of David " ( Hebrew יוֹסֵף also known as Saint Joseph, Joseph the Betrothed, Joseph of Nazareth In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance ^[45] Strang claimed that the earthly Christ was in essence "adopted" as God's son at birth, and fully revealed as such during the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported by the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus is transfigured upon a mountain (,) ^[46] After proving himself to God by living a perfectly sinless life, he was thus enabled to provide an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of men, prior to his resurrection and ascension. The major Resurrection appearances of Jesus are reported in the New Testament to have occurred after his death and burial and prior to his Ascension The general and most common understanding of the Christian Doctrine of Ascension holds that Jesus bodily ascended to Heaven in the presence ^[47]

Furthermore, Strang denied that God could do all things, and insisted that some things were as impossible for Him as for us. ^[48] Thus, he saw no essential conflict between science and religion, and while he never openly championed evolution, he did state that God was limited in His power by the matter He was working with and by the eons of time required to "organize" and shape it. Darwin's idea evolution by natural selection Charles Darwin developed the idea that each species had developed from ancestors with similar features and in 1838 he described how Matter is commonly defined as being anything that has mass and that takes up space. ^[49] Strang spoke glowingly of a future generation who would "make religion a science," to be "studied by as exact rules as mathematicks. " "The mouth of the Seer will be opened," he prophesied, "and the whole earth enlightened. "^[50]

Musing at length on the nature of sin and evil, Strang wrote that of all things that God could give to man, He could never give him experience. Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral Rule, or the state of having committed such a violation Evil, in many cultures is used to describe acts or thoughts which are contrary to some particular religion ^[51] Thus, if "free agency" were to be real, said Strang, humanity must be given the opportunity to fail and to learn from its own mistakes. Agency (also referred to as free agency or moral agency) in Latter-day Saint theology, is "the privilege of choice which was introduced by God The ultimate goal for each human being was to willingly conform oneself to the "revealed character" of God in every respect, preferring good to evil not out of a fear of punishment or any desire for reward, but rather solely "on account of the innate loveliness of undefiled goodness; of pure unalloyed holiness. "^[52]

Practices

Strang believed strongly in the seventh-day Sabbath, and enjoined it in lieu of Sunday;^[53] the Strangite church continues this tradition. The Sabbath is an important part of the belief and practice of Seventh-day Adventists, and is perhaps the defining characteristic of the denomination He advocated baptism for the dead, and practiced it to a limited extent in Voree and on Beaver Island. Baptism for the dead, vicarious baptism or proxy baptism is the religious practice of baptizing a living person on behalf of an individual who is dead He also introduced animal sacrifice–not for sin, but as a part of Strangite celebration rituals. Animal Sacrifice is the Ritual killing of an Animal as part of a Religion. ^[54] Animal sacrifices and baptisms for the dead are not currently practiced by the Strangite organization, though belief in each is still affirmed. Strang attempted to construct a temple in Voree, but was prevented from completing it due to the poverty and lack of cooperation of his followers. In the ^[55] No "endowment" rituals comparable to those in the Utah LDS church appear to have existed among his followers. In Latter Day Saint theology the Endowment usually refers to an ordinance or ritual that is performed in Latter Day Saint temples. ^[56] Eternal marriage formed a part of Strang's teaching, though he did not require it to be performed in a temple (as in the LDS church). Celestial marriage (also called the New and Everlasting Covenant and Eternal Marriage) is a doctrine unique to Mormonism, particularly The Church of Thus, such marriages are still contracted in Strang's church in the absence of any Strangite temple or "endowment" ceremony. Alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea were prohibited, as in many Latter Day Saint denominations. Polygamy is no longer practiced by Strang's followers, though belief in its correctness is still affirmed. ^[56]

Strang allowed women to hold the Priesthood offices of Priest and Teacher, unique among all Latter Day Saint factions during his lifetime. Priest is a priesthood office in the Aaronic Priesthood of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ Teacher is a priesthood office in the Aaronic Priesthood of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ ^[57] He welcomed African Americans into his church, and ordained at least two to the eldership. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa ^[58] Strang also mandated conservation of land and resources, requiring the building of parks and retention of large forests in his kingdom. The conservation movement also known as nature conservation is a political social and to some extent scientific movement that seeks to protect natural resources including ^[59] He wrote an eloquent refutation of the "Solomon Spalding theory" of the Book of Mormon's authorship,^[60] and defended the ministry and teachings of Joseph Smith–as he understood them. Solomon Spalding (1761 – October 20, 1816) was the author of the supposed Manuscript Story, a work of Fiction about the lost civilization of

Coronation and troubled reign on Beaver Island

Strang claimed that he was to occupy the office of king described in the Book of the Law of the Lord. ^[61] He insisted that this authority was incumbent upon all holders of Joseph Smith's prophetic office from the beginning of time,^[62] and his followers believe that Smith himself was crowned secretly as "king" of the Mormon church before his murder. The Council of Fifty (also known as the Living Constitution, the Kingdom of God, or its name by revelation The Kingdom of God and His Laws with the Keys and ^[63] Strang was accordingly crowned in 1850 by his counselor and Prime Minister, an actor named George J. Adams. George Jones Adams ( c 1811– May 11, 1880) was the leader of a schismatic Latter Day Saint sect who led an ill-fated effort to establish a colony About 300 people witnessed his coronation, for which he wore a bright red flannel robe topped by a white collar with black speckles. A coronation is a ceremony marking the investiture of a Monarch with regal power specifically involving the placement of a crown upon his or her head and the His tin crown was described in one account as "a shiny metal ring with a cluster of glass stars in the front. "^[4] Strang also sported a breastplate and carried a wooden scepter. This can also refer to a piece of riding equipment see Breastplate (tack. A sceptre or scepter is a symbolic ornamental staff held by a ruling Monarch, a prominent item of royal Regalia. He "reigned" for six years, and the date of his coronation, July 8, is still mandated as one of the two most important dates in the Strangite church year (the other being April 6, the anniversary of the founding of Joseph Smith's church). ^[64]

Strang never claimed to be the king of Beaver Island itself, nor of any other geographical entity. Rather, he claimed to be king over his church, which he saw as the true "Kingdom of God" prophesied in Scripture and destined to spread over all the earth. ^[65] Nor did Strang ever say that his "kingdom" supplanted United States sovereignty over Beaver Island. However, since his sect was the main religious body on the isle, claiming the allegiance of most of its inhabitants, Strang often asserted authority even over non-Strangites on Beaver--which ultimately caused him and his followers a great deal of grief. Furthermore, he and many of his disciples were accused of forcibly appropriating property and revenue on the island, which made him few friends among the "gentiles. "

On the other hand, Strang and his people lived in justified apprehension of what their nonmember neighbors, many of whom were bullying and threatening toward them, might do next. Strangites were often beaten up while going to the post office to collect their mail,^[66] and some of their homes were robbed and even seized by "gentiles" while Strangite men were away. ^[67] On July 4, 1850, a drunken mob of fishermen vowed to kill the "Mormons" or drive them out, only to be awed into submission when Strang fired a cannon (which he had secretly acquired) at them. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples For the game see 1850 (board game. 1850 ( MDCCCL) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link ^[68] Competition for business and jobs added to tensions on the island, as did the increasing Strangite monopoly on local government, made sure after Beaver and adjacent islands were attached first to Emmet County in 1853, then later organized into their own insular county of Manitou in 1855. Emmet County is a county in the US state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 31437 Manitou County was an insular county in the US state of Michigan consisting of Beaver Island and its surrounding islands together with the

As a result of his coronation, together with lurid tales spread by George Adams (who had been excommunicated by Strang a few months after the ceremony), Strang was accused of treason, counterfeiting, trespass on government land, and theft, among other crimes. In Law, treason is the Crime that covers some of the more serious acts of disloyalty to one's sovereign or Nation. A counterfeit is an imitation that is made usually with the intent to deceptively represent its content or origins Trespass (Fr trespas a crime properly a stepping across from Lat In Criminal law, theft (also known as stealing or filching) is the illegal taking of another person's Property without that person's freely-given He was brought to trial in Detroit, Michigan, after President Millard Fillmore ordered U. Millard Fillmore ( January 7 1800 &ndash March 8 1874 was the thirteenth President of the United States, serving from 1850 until 1853 and the last member of the Whig S. District Attorney George Bates to investigate the rumors about Strang and his colony. ^[4] Strang's successful trial defense brought him considerable favorable press, which he leveraged to run for, and win, a seat in the Michigan state legislature as a Democrat in 1853. Facing a determined effort to deny him this seat due to the hostility of his enemies, he was permitted to address the legislature in his defense, after which the Michigan House of Representatives voted twice (first unanimously, then a second time by a 49-11 margin) to allow "King Strang" to join them. The Michigan House of Representatives is the lower body of the Michigan Legislature. ^[69]

In the 1853 legislative session, Strang introduced ten bills, five of which passed. ^[70] The Detroit Advertiser, on February 10, 1853, wrote of Strang: "Mr. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 1853 ( MDCCCLIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Strang’s course as a member of the present Legislature, has disarmed much of the prejudices which have previously surrounded him. Whatever may be said or thought of the peculiar sect of which he is the local head, I take pleasure in stating that throughout this session he has conducted himself with the degree of decorum and propriety which have been equaled by his industry, sagacity, good temper, apparent regard for the true interests of the people, and the obligations of his official oath. "^[71] He was reelected in 1855, and did much to organize the upper portion of Michigan's lower peninsula into counties and townships. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. A county of the United States is a local level of government created as a subdivision of a state by the state government or by the federal or territorial government as a subdivision A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government Strang ardently fought the illegal practice of trading liquor to local Native American tribes. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States ^[72][73] This made him many enemies among those non-Strangite residents of Beaver and nearby Mackinac Island who profited mightily from this illicit trade. Mackinac Island (ˈmækɨnɔː) is an island covering in land area belonging to the U

Assassination

James Strang made foes among his own people, too. One of these, Thomas Bedford, had been flogged for adultery on Strang's orders, and felt considerable resentment toward the "king. Adultery is the voluntary Sexual intercourse between a married person and another person who is not his or her Spouse, though in many places it is "^[74] Another, Dr. H. D. McCulloch, had been excommunicated for drunkenness and other alleged misdeeds, after previously enjoying Strang's favor and several high offices in local government. These conspired against Strang with Alexander Wentworth and Dr. J. Atkyn, who had allegedly endeavored (unsuccessfully) to blackmail the Strangites into paying his numerous bad debts. ^[75] A decree that female Strangites must wear "bloomers" only added fuel to the fire for Bedford and other malcontents on Beaver Island. Bloomers is a word which has been applied to several types of divided women's garments for the lower body at various times ^[76][77] Pistols were procured, and the four conspirators began several days of target practice while finalizing the details of their murderous plan. ^[78]

Although Strang apparently knew that Bedford and the others were gunning for him, he seems not to have taken them very seriously. "We laugh with bitter scorn at all these threats," he wrote in the Northern Islander, just days before his murder. ^[4] Strang's refusal to employ a bodyguard or to carry a firearm or other weapon made him an easy target. A bodyguard (or "close protection officer" is a type of Security guard or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous wealthy or politically ^[79]

On Monday, June 16, 1856, Strang was waylaid around 7:00 PM on the dock at the harbor of St. James, chief city of Beaver Island, by Wentworth and Bedford, who shot him in the back. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year St James Township is a Civil township of Charlevoix County in the U All of this was carried out in full view of several officers and men of the USS Michigan, a U.S. Naval vessel docked in the harbor. Early career The USS Michigan was designed by naval constructor Samuel Hart. Not one person on board the ship made any effort to warn or to aid the intended victim. ^[80]

Strang was hit three times: one bullet grazed his head, another lodged in his cheek and a third in his spine. One of the assassins then savagely pistol-whipped the fallen prophet before running aboard the nearby vessel with his companion, where both claimed sanctuary. ^[80] Some accused Captain McBlair of the "Michigan" of complicity in, or at least foreknowledge of, the assassination plot, though no hard evidence of this was ever forthcoming. ^[81][82] The so-called "King of Beaver Island" was taken to Voree, where he lived for three weeks, dying on July 9, 1856 at the age of 43. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year After refusing to deliver Bedford and Wentworth to the local sheriff,^[83] McBlair transported them to Mackinac Island, where they were given a mock trial, fined $1. SHERIFF is a telecom fraud detection and management system originally developed by BT and MCI. 25, released, and then feted by the locals. ^[4][84] None of the plotters was ever punished for his crimes.

Death of a kingdom

One day before Strang's death, on what Michigan historian Byron M. Cutcheon later called "the most disgraceful day in Michigan history,"^[4] a drunken mob of "gentiles" from Mackinac and elsewhere descended upon Beaver Island and forcibly evicted every Strangite from it. Byron Mac Cutcheon (May 11 1836 - April 12 1908 was an American Civil War officer and politician from the U Strang's subjects on the island—numbering approximately 2,600 persons^[4]—were herded onto hastily-commandeered steamers, most after being robbed of their money and other personal possessions, and unceremoniously dumped onto docks along the shores of Lake Michigan. A few moved back to Voree, while the rest scattered across the country.

Strang had refused to appoint a successor, telling his apostles to take care of their families as best they could, and await divine instruction. ^[85] While his supporters endeavored to keep his church alive, Strang's unique dogma requiring his successor to be ordained by angels^[86] handicapped his church in its search for a new prophet. Lorenzo Dow Hickey, the last of Strang's apostles, emerged as an ad-hoc leader until his death in 1900, followed by Wingfield W. Watson, a High Priest in Strang's organization (until he died in 1922). Wingfield W Watson ( April 28, 1828 - October 29, 1922 in Voree Wisconsin) was a religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ High priest is a priesthood office in the Melchizedek priesthood of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Neither of these men ever claimed Strang's office or authority, however. ^h Left without a prophet to guide them, most of Strang's members (including all of his wives)^[87] departed his church in the years after his murder. Most later joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which was established in 1860. A few, however, continue to carry on Strang's mission as best they can, while awaiting a new successor to their fallen founder.

Strang's disciples today are divided into two main factions; one is led by a Presiding High Priest, who does not claim to have the authority or priesthood office possessed by Joseph Smith or James Strang. The other claims that the first faction is in error, and that by incorporating in 1961, it lost its identity as a faithful continuation of Strang's organization. This second group claims that it is the sole true remnant of James Strang's church. ^{i [88]} Missionary work is no longer emphasized among the Strangites (unlike the LDS and many other Latter Day Saint sects), as they tend to believe that after three murdered prophets (Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and James Strang) God closed His dispensation to the "gentiles" of the West. ^[89] Consequently, Strang's church has continued to dwindle until the present day. Current membership figures vary between 50 and 300 persons, depending upon the source consulted. ^[90]

While proving a key player in the 1844 succession struggle, Strang's long-term influence on the Latter Day Saint movement was minimal. His doctrinal innovations had little impact outside of his church, and he was largely ignored until recent historians began to reexamine his life and career. For all his efforts, Strang's most vital (albeit unintended) contribution to the Latter Day Saint religion turned out to be providing some of the impetus behind creation of the Reorganized Church, which became a major rival to the Utah-based LDS Church and other Latter Day Saint groups–including his own. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known

Footnotes

• Note a: "Mormon" refers to either (a) the church under Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1830-44, or (b) the group that followed Brigham Young and ultimately relocated to Utah as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It does not refer to Strang's or any other Latter Day Saint church. Unlike many other smaller Latter Day Saint factions, however, Strangites are not opposed to using the term "Mormon" to describe themselves.
• Note b: The Strangites use no hyphen in their church title and capitalize the "D" in "Day", just as was done in Joseph Smith's church.
• Note c: David Whitmer and Martin Harris, two of the Three Witnesses, and Hiram Page and John Whitmer of the Eight Witnesses. The Three Witnesses were a group of three early leaders of the Latter Day Saint movement who signed a statement in 1830 saying that an Angel had shown them The Eight Witnesses were one of the two groups of witnesses who signed a statement (reprinted in the Book of Mormon) stating that they had seen the Golden plates which
• Note d: John Page and William Smith were apostles at Smith's death; William M'Lellin had previously been an apostle, but was excommunicated in 1838.
• Note e: George Miller, who is mentioned in the LDS Doctrine & Covenants section 124: verses 20, 62 and 70.
• Note f: This organization is now called the Community of Christ. It is still the second-largest faction in the Latter Day Saint movement.
• Note g: Strangites still use these terms today, as do members of some other Latter Day Saint groups.
• Note h: No apostles currently remain in Strang's organization, as all Strangite apostles must be appointed by a Strangite prophet. The highest current office in Strang's church is that of High Priest (in the "incorporated" faction) or Elder (in the other).
• Note i: The first group does not have a website; the second has three: http://www.strangite.org, http://www.mormonbeliefs.com, and http://www.zionsreveille.org.

Citations

References

• Fitzpatrick, Doyle C. (1970). The King Strang Story: A Vindication of James J, Strang, the Beaver Island Mormon King. National Heritage. ISBN 0685572269.
• Foster, Lawrence (1981). James J. Strang: The Prophet Who Failed, Church History, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 182-192.
• Jensen, Robin Scott (2005). Gleaning the Harvest: Strangite Missionary Work, 1846-1850 (PDF). BYU Thesis. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine
• Palmer, Grant H. (2002). An Insider's View of Mormon Origins. Signature Books. ISBN 1-56085-157-0. Excerpt at SignatureBooks.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine
• Post, Warren, "History of James Strang: The Birth and Parentage of the Prophet James". Retrieved on 2007-10-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine
• Quinn, D. Michael (1994). The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Salt Lake City: Signature Books. ISBN 1560850566.
• Silitto, John and Staker, Susan, ed's. , (2002). Mormon Mavericks: Essays on Dissenters. Signature Books. ISBN 1-56085-154-6.
• Speek, Vickie Cleverley, (2006). God Has Made Us a Kingdom: James Strang and the Midwest Mormons. Signature Books. ISBN 1-56085-192-9. Excerpt at SignatureBooks.com.
• Strang, Mark (1961). The Diary of James J. Strang: Deciphered, Transcribed, Introduced, and Annotated. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.
• Strang, James J. (1854a, Reprinted 2005). Ancient and modern Michilimackinac, including an account of the controversy between Mackinac and the Mormons. Reprint by the University of Michigan Library. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine
• Strang, James J. (1848): The Diamond: Being the Law of Prophetic Succession and a Defense of the Calling of James J. Strang as Successor to Joseph Smith. Voree, Wisconsin. Retrieved on 2007-11-03]].
• Strang, James J. (1854b). The Prophetic Controversy: A Letter from James Strang to Mrs. Corey. St. James, Michigan. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine
• 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. St. James: Royal Press. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine
• van Noord, Roger (1988). King of Beaver Island: The Life and Assassination of James Jesse Strang. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252014723.

External links

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) Official website of one of the two main Strangite groups.
• Strangite Mormon Beliefs Another Strangite website containing extensive material on his life, death and teachings.
• Book of the Law of the Lord Edition of 1856, containing Strang's extensive notes (which do not appear in the original 1851 edition).
• Revelations of James J. Strang Website containing texts of several revelations issued by James J. Strang.
• James J. Strang newspapers Excellent site containing reprints of Strangite newspapers, including the Northern Islander.
• Assassination of a Michigan King Allows purchase of Strang biography of this title by Roger Van Noord.
• An account of Dr. J. Atkyn, Strang's photographer and later one of his assassins
• Society for Strang Studies Website of non-sectarian group dedicated to studying Strang's life and work.
• Michigan History: Moore, Charles. History of Michigan. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. , 1915. Vol. 1, pp. 374-376. Briefly mentions Strang as part of a larger collection on important Michigan figures.
• Clarke Historical Library: Strangite Mormons - Brief biography from Central Michigan University, which has a collection of letters and diaries written by Strang and his followers. Central Michigan University (also known as CMU) is a Coeducational State university located in Mount Pleasant in the U
• Articles about Wingfield Watson and James Strang, Wisconsin State Historical Society

Preceded by: Joseph Smith, Jr.

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) James J. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement with more than a thousand members Strang 1844–1856

No successor to date

Persondata
NAME	James Jesse Strang
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Jesse James Strang
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Latter Day Saint Leader
DATE OF BIRTH	March 21, 1813
PLACE OF BIRTH	Scipio, New York
DATE OF DEATH	July 9, 1856
PLACE OF DEATH	Voree, Wisconsin

Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Scipio is a Town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1537 at the 2000 census Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Voree is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, in

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