Is their Church True?

[_karl61]

some information on another group:

http://www.strangite.org/

[_Boaz & Lidia]

Many of Smith's witnesses believed this guy and his letter from Joseph Smith about him becoming the next prophet.

Kinda puts their state of mind in context as it relates to whether their witness was credible for the Book of Mormon.

[_karl61]

The history is interesting: Brigham Youngs excommunication and another set of plates and witnesses is pretty interesting:

"The church was organized in New York on April 6, 1830. Since 1838 we have continuously been called the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” in the same style most often used before 1844, without the British hyphenation later adopted by the other Mormons."

"Joseph Smith Jr. presided over the church from 1830 to 1844, and James J. Strang presided from 1844 to 1856."

"Joseph Smith Jr. appointed James J. Strang to be his successor with a document that survives at Yale University. Scholars have determined that it has an authentic postmark “Nauvoo, June 19, 1844” on an envelope addressed in the same hand as the whole document. The envelope is block-printed in a style strikingly similar to that occasionally used by Hyrum Smith’s scribe, but is probably in the rare printing of Joseph Smith Jr. himself. The text of the document matches the language, style, and passion of Joseph Smith Jr. The document is published with the Revelations of James J. Strang."

"The letter convinced John Whitmer, David Whitmer, Martin Harris, Hiram Page, John E. Page, William McLellin, William Smith, Emma Smith, the sisters of Joseph Smith, William Marks, George Miller, and an array of other scribes and family members who would have known Joseph Smith Jr.’s style."

" Joseph Smith Jr. had written revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants that said he alone had the keys to receive revelations for the church, and indicated that he would eventually appoint another in his stead—but he could not ordain his own successor to a sole office, and no other person could ordain someone to an office that they themselves lacked."

"James J. Strang announced that he had been ordained by angels in the same hour that Joseph Smith Jr. was killed, but he and Smith were two hundred miles apart. The ordination is published in the Revelations of James J. Strang."

"James J. Strang translated metallic plates and eleven witnesses signed testimonies that they saw the plates—none ever denied their testimony. The testimony of the Voree Plates is published in the Revelations of James J. Strang; and the testimony to the Book of the Law of the Lord is published in front of that law."

"Brigham Young was summoned to a trial and excommunicated by a high council on April 6, 1846. Young in turn claimed that he excommunicated James J. Strang, but there was never a notice for Strang to appear, nor was there ever a trial for Strang."

"About 12,000 people acknowledged the appointment of James J. Strang."

"James J. Strang was killed in 1856, just twelve years after his appointment, and the church barely survived being driven from northern Michigan by a mob at the same time."

"Most of our members later joined the Reorganized church which was formed four years after the death of James J. Strang."

[_karl61]

I'm surfing the web reading about other history and the strangites and the issue with succession:

I'm not to familiar with Samuel Smith and his sudden death when he was going to be President of the Church and all fingers pointing to the big Brigham Young and Hosea Stout.

and then on strangite.org we have this other gem in the Wisconsin section:

On 15 January 1846, the new church headquarters at Voree, Wisconsin sent Moses with other emissaries to Nauvoo.(7) Upon their arrival, they attempted to read an announcement about the emigration to Wisconsin. Local Illinois newspapers report that when they attempted to read, Brigham Young and his adherents opposed them. They were "surrounded by a mob who attempted to drive them from the city. Whereupon a row ensued, in which clubs were used freely. The Twelve-ites [with Brigham] gained the victory and drove their opponents from the ground."(8) According to George Miller, an important Wisconsin Mormon, Brigham laid a plan with Hosea Stout, his police captain. Stout was "to contrive a row to take place in the Temple, and have me called in to appease the rowdies, and Stout was to be there in readiness to kill me." The row occurred as predicted. Stout called Miller in to calm the turmoil, but the mob wanted Moses, and allowed Miller to escape.(9) The incident eventually made Miller follow the advice of Moses. In another account originating with Moses, Brigham sent an officer of the police to disperse the crowds listening to Moses. "This order being disregarded, a mob crowded around, headed by an officer of police, armed with knives and pistols, threatening their lives and endeavoring to seize them." They fled to safety at a more faithful member's house.(10)


They almost had their little mmm before the big MMM.

[_sunstoned]

Well, these guys have their had witnesses also. This always was a big faith booster for me. The witnesses to the Book of Mormon and all. But is seems like there is never a shortage of people to stand up and witness to anything.

James J. Strang translated metallic plates and eleven witnesses signed testimonies that they saw the plates—none ever denied their testimony. The testimony of the Voree Plates is published in the Revelations of James J. Strang; and the testimony to the Book of the Law of the Lord is published in front of that law.

Any idea of how many current followers they have?

[_Boaz & Lidia]

Well, these guys have their had witnesses also. This always was a big faith booster for me. The witnesses to the Book of Mormon and all. But is seems like there is never a shortage of people to stand up and witness to anything.

James J. Strang translated metallic plates and eleven witnesses signed testimonies that they saw the plates—none ever denied their testimony. The testimony of the Voree Plates is published in the Revelations of James J. Strang; and the testimony to the Book of the Law of the Lord is published in front of that law.

Any idea of how many current followers they have?

I believe it is less than 144 :)