List of Mormon fundamentalist leaders

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Mormon fundamentalist leaders are those who lead (or have led) a Mormon fundamentalist group.

Mormonism and polygamy
Portrait of five caucasian Latter-day Saints, married to each other in nineteenth-century Latter-day Saint polygamy, against the backdrop of what may be a hedge. All seem to be posing; none face the camera. Leftmost is a woman, seated, her hair done in a high, braided bun, wearing a dress with buttons down the middle; in her hands are an open book. Center-left, standing furthest to the back (though still very much with the portraited group) is a woman, her hair done up but resting low, in a polka-dotted top and a scarf or ascot around her neck and a skirt. She carries a hat, held to her waist. Center is a woman, sort of kneeling or seated (perhaps there is an unseen stool she's sitting on?). She wears a white dress, her hair is done up in a high and large bun and she wears a headband. In her right arm she holds a hat, over her knees; her left arm rests on the lap of the man sitting center right. She may be leaning against his legs. Center-right is a man, wearing a suit jacket of some kind and a high-collared shirt. He is balded and bearded. His left hand is placed over the left arm of the center woman. Rightmost is a woman, her hair done up but resting low, sitting in a visibly wooden (likely handcrafted) chair. She wears a dress with buttons going down the middle. She holds a hat, which looks very like center's hat, over her knees.
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Early Mormon leaders[edit]

These leaders were the first three Presidents of the Church of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church):

Some Mormon fundamentalists also regard the next three LDS Church presidents as leaders:

Major Mormon fundamentalist groups[edit]

When the LDS Church began excommunicating members who practiced polygamy after the Second Manifesto, Mormon fundamentalists began breaking away from the LDS Church. At first, there was one main Mormon fundamentalist group, the Council of Friends, also known as the "Woolley group" and the "Priesthood Council".[7] The Council of Friends was centered in Salt Lake City and the Short Creek Community, later called Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. The Council of Friends would ultimately split into four Mormon fundamentalist sects, the Latter Day Church of Christ[8] (1935) located in Salt Lake City, Utah; the Apostolic United Brethren[9] (1954), located in Bluffdale, Utah; the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints[9] (1954), located in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah; and Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times,[10] located in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Factional breakdown: Mormon fundamentalist sects[edit]

Council of Friends and groups evolving from it[edit]

See also: List of denominations in the Latter Day Saint movement: Mormon fundamentalist sects and Latter Day Saint practitioners of plural marriage: Mormon Fundamentalist

Pre-split Council of Friends leaders[edit]

See also: List of Mormon fundamentalist leaders

The following are the leaders of the Council of Friends prior to its split:[11][12][13]

Kingstons[edit]

Due to a succession conflict after J. Leslie Broadbent's death, Charles W. Kingston and Elden Kingston created a splinter group called the Latter Day Church of Christ, or the Kingston clan.[13]

Apostolic United Brethren[edit]

Joseph W. Musser ordained Rulon C. Allred into the Council of Friends. The Council refused to admit Allred; this resulted in a split, whereby followers of Allred became known as the Apostolic United Brethren. Musser ordained a new council, known as the 1952 New Priesthood Council.[14] The line of succession of the AUB is as follows:[13]

Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints[edit]

After the Short Creek community split it continued to thrive, and became known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints under Leroy S. Johnson. Its leaders include:[12][13]

Church of Jesus Christ (Original Doctrine) Inc.[edit]

The Church of Jesus Christ (Original Doctrine) Inc.,[17] was formed in September 2002 when FLDS Church president Warren Jeffs excommunicated Winston Blackmore; for two decades, Blackmore was bishop of the Bountiful, British Columbia group of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS Church). The community split nearly evenly—about 700 people continue to follow Blackmore, while about 500 follow Jeffs.[18]

Centennial Park ("Second Ward")[edit]

Under Leroy Johnson's leadership, Marion Hammon and Alma Timpson were dismissed from the Short Creek community in 1983; they went on to create the Centennial Park group (or "Second Ward") in Centennial Park, Arizona. "Second Ward" distinguishes it from the FLDS Church, which is known as the "First Ward".[19][20]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Kingdom of God[edit]

This group (also known as the Nielsen/Naylor group)[21] primarily resides in the Salt Lake Valley. It broke with the Centennial Park group after Marion Hammon died in 1988.[22][23] Frank Naylor (apostle) and Ivan Neilsen (high priest and bishop) disagreed with Alma Timpson's leadership of Centennial Park, prompting them to create a new group known as the "Third Ward" with Naylor presiding;[23] they likewise primarily reside in the Salt Lake Valley. They have formed a close association with Winston Blackmore's community of Bountiful, British Columbia.[22][23]

Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[edit]

After the murder of Rulon C. Allred in 1977, Gerald Peterson, Sr proclaimed that Allred had bequeathed the priesthood to him. Peterson went on to found the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the following year.

Other Mormon fundamentalist groups[edit]

Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times[edit]

The Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times has its headquarters in northern Mexico. It was founded in 1955 by Joel LeBaron and members of his family. LeBaron claimed his priestly line of authority from his father Alma (who was ordained by Alma's grandfather Benjamin F. Johnson, who received the priesthood from Joseph Smith). The church exists in Chihuahua Mexico, Los Molinos, Baja California, San Diego, California and in Central America; there is also a large group in Salt Lake City, UT.

Church of Jesus Christ in Solemn Assembly[edit]

The Church of Jesus Christ in Solemn Assembly and its political arm, the Confederate Nations of Israel, are headquartered in Big Water, Utah.[24][25][26] It was founded in 1977 by Alex Joseph and initially grew rapidly. However, after the death of Joseph the status of this sect is unknown.

  • Alex Joseph (1977–98)
  • Current leadership unknown (1998–)

School of the Prophets[edit]

See also: Under the Banner of Heaven
Not to be confused with School of the Prophets.

The School of the Prophets has its headquarters in the Salem, Utah area. In 1968 Robert C. Crossfield published the Book of Onias, which contained revelations he claimed to have received since 1961. These revelations chastised LDS Church leaders for their abandonment of the celestial laws. Crossfield was excommunicated in 1972.[27] The continuing revelations were later published as the Second Book of Commandments.[28] In 1982 Crossfield formally established the School of the Prophets, overseen by a president and six counselors[27] and headquartered in Salem, Utah.

Ron and Dan Lafferty served in March 1984 as counselors in a local school of the prophets for the Provo, Utah, area.[29] Four months after being removed from the school for refusing to renounce their revelation calling for the killing of certain individuals,[30] the Laffertys murdered their brother Allen's wife and infant daughter.

  • Robert C. Crossfield, founder and president (1968–2018)[31]

True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days[edit]

The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days (TLC) has its headquarters in Manti, Utah. Membership is estimated at 300 to 500. Organized in 1994, the TLC was a new "restoration" for the "very last days" before the Second Coming of Jesus. While the church initially grew rapidly it has since stagnated, declining in numbers and converts since it ceased missionary efforts in 2000.

The Church of the Firstborn and the General Assembly of Heaven[edit]

The Church of the Firstborn and the General Assembly of Heaven was originally organized in Magna, Utah by former members of the LDS Church.[33] It practices polygamy and the law of consecration. Its leader, Terrill R. Dalton, purports to be the Holy Ghost and the father of Jesus.[34] However, the group may have declined in numbers after its relocation from Idaho to Montana[35] and Dalton's and assistant Geody Harman's arrest for (and conviction of) two counts of rape.[36][37][38]

  • Terrill R. Dalton (c. 2001–present)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Joseph Smith Jr., 1st President of the Church". History of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-08-04. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  2. ^ "Brigham Young, 2nd President of the Church". History of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-08-04. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  3. ^ "John Taylor, 3rd President of the Church". History of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-08-08. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Wilford Woodruff, 4th President of the Church". History of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-02-18. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  5. ^ "Lorenzo Snow, 5th President of the Church". History of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-08-14. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  6. ^ "Joseph F. Smith, 6th President of the Church". History of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-08-14. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  7. ^ Hales, Brian C. "The Council of Friends". mormonfundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  8. ^ Hales, Brian C. "Charles Elden Kingston". mormonfundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  9. ^ a b Hales, Brian C. "1952 Priesthood Council Split". mormonfundamentalism.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  10. ^ Hales, Brian C. "Dayer LeBaron". mormonfundamentalism.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  11. ^ Hales, Brian C (2009). "Questions regarding the described 1886 ordinations". MormonFundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Official website of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 2008. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  13. ^ a b c d Hales, Brian C (2009). "Fundamentalist leadership succession chart". MormonFundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  14. ^ Hales, Brian C (2009). "Rulon C. Allred". MormonFundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  15. ^ McKinley, Carol (March 5, 2011), Inside a troubled fundamentalist Mormon sect, Salon Media Group, Inc., retrieved March 11, 2011, In just a few weeks, Jeffs has gone on a rampage, kicking out at least 40 of his most pious men. One of those faithful is Merril Jessop, a 70-year-old FLDS bishop.
  16. ^ Wagner, Dennis (February 24, 2011). "Jailed sect leader retakes legal control of church". USA Today. Utah records show Nielson formally quit that post Jan. 28.
  17. ^ "LDS Church wins, Canadian polygamist loses in fight for 'Mormon' name". Salt Lake Tribune. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015. Finally giving up the fight, Blackmore has agreed to change his group's corporate name to "the Church of Jesus Christ (Original Doctrine) Inc.
  18. ^ Utah Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General's Office. The Primer, Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine:Fundamentalist Mormon Communities. Updated June 2006. Pages 11-22.
  19. ^ Hales, Brian C (2009). "Centennial Park and the 'Second Ward'". MormonFundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  20. ^ Utah Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General's Office. The Primer, Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Updated June 2006. Page 14.
  21. ^ The Primer, Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities: Fundamentalist Mormon Communities (PDF), Utah Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General's Office, June 2006, retrieved June 29, 2010{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. ^ a b Utah Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General's Office. The Primer, Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Updated June 2006. Page 21.
  23. ^ a b c Hales, Brian C (2009). "The Naylor Group (Salt Lake County)". MormonFundamentalism.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  24. ^ Stokes, Jerry (2007), Changing World Religions, Cults & Occult, p. 159, retrieved October 7, 2013
  25. ^ Melton, J. Gordon (1992), Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America, ISBN 9780815311409, retrieved October 7, 2013
  26. ^ Webb, Loren (December 22, 2012), Southern Utah Memories: Alex Joseph Story, Big Water, Utah: KCSG Television, archived from the original on October 21, 2013, retrieved October 7, 2013
  27. ^ a b Hales, Brian C., Robert C. Crossfield, archived from the original on August 27, 2011, retrieved August 26, 2011
  28. ^ Hales, Brian C. (2006). Modern Polygamy and Mormon Fundamentalism : The Generations after the Manifesto (JWHA pre-release. ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books. ISBN 1589580354.
  29. ^ Van Wagoner, Richard S. (1989) [1986], Mormon Polygamy: A History (2d ed.), Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, ISBN 978-0-941214-79-7
  30. ^ Crossfield, Robert. "The Controversy Between Ron and Dan Lafferty and the School of the Prophets" (PDF). United Order Publications. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". www.2bc.info. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  32. ^ McFall, Michael (27 June 2013). "Utah polygamous church leader dies of a heart attack". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  33. ^ Hollenhorst, John (July 2, 2009), Church of 'Holy Ghost' rocked by sex and assassination allegations, KSL-TV, retrieved 2013-02-15
  34. ^ Hollenhorst, John (September 15, 2009), 'Holy Ghost' cult stirs Idaho debate after move from Utah, Salt Lake City: KSL-TV, retrieved 2013-02-15
  35. ^ Hollenhorst, John (18 August 2010), Rape Charges Filed Five Years Later Against Man Claiming to be 'Holy Ghost', KSL-TV, retrieved 2013-02-15
  36. ^ Hunt, Stephen (April 14, 2012), "Religious sect leader pleads guilty in 'Holy Ghost' rape case", The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved 2013-02-15
  37. ^ "Sect leader waives extradition on rape charge". KSL-TV. (AP). August 24, 2010. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  38. ^ Morgan, Emiley (March 22, 2012), "Sect leader 'Holy Ghost' convicted of raping daughter", Deseret News
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