081 Who Are the Strangites, the Josephites, and the Bickertonites?
Sep 17, 2024
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After the 1844 succession crisis, not all Latter-day Saints followed Brigham Young, leading to the formation of diverse groups. The podcast dives into the Strangites, Josephites, and Bickertonites, exploring their unique leadership and theological differences. Strang's controversial reign and the challenges of leadership succession created turbulence within these movements. Listeners will learn about the historical context of these branches and the complexities of their evolution over the past 180 years.
The succession crisis of 1844 resulted in the formation of diverse branches within the Latter Day Saint movement, including Strangites, Josephites, and Bickertonites.
James Strang claimed to be Joseph Smith's successor and attracted followers with new scriptures, but the movement dwindled after his assassination.
The Community of Christ has shifted its leadership succession model from lineal descent to a discernment-based approach, reflecting its evolving identity.
Deep dives
The Succession Crisis of 1844 and Its Aftermath
The succession crisis following Joseph Smith's death in 1844 led to significant fragmentation within the Latter Day Saint movement. Many members chose not to follow Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, instead aligning with alternative leaders and groups. Over the past 180 years, hundreds of offshoot churches have emerged, all tracing their lineage back to the original restoration initiated by Smith. The podcast specifically examines three major branches that developed during this tumultuous period: the Strangites, the Josephites (now known as the Community of Christ), and the Bickertonites.
James Strang and the Strangites' Unique Claims
James Strang quickly gained a following after claiming to be Joseph Smith's appointed successor through a secret letter allegedly written by Smith shortly before his death. Despite being excommunicated by the Quorum of Twelve, Strang attracted numerous influential members who were disillusioned with Brigham Young's leadership. His appeal was further bolstered by claims of new scripture and miraculous experiences, including a vision in which he was ordained by an angel. However, internal conflicts and Strang's controversial embrace of plural marriage led to the movement’s decline after his assassination in 1856, leaving the Strangites with approximately 130 members today.
The Rise of the Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, initially known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emerged as a significant denomination following the departure of some followers from Strang’s movement. Under the leadership of Joseph Smith III, the church emphasized lineal succession and sought to unite the diverse restoration groups. Over the years, the Community of Christ has evolved, modifying its succession practices and distancing itself from the practice of plural marriage, despite its historical roots. Today, the church operates under a model of discernment for leadership succession, moving away from strict lineal descent.
The Bickertonites and Their Distinct Beliefs
The Bickertonite movement was founded by William Bickerton, who broke away from the main LDS church due to disagreements over plural marriage and other doctrines. Initially following Sidney Rigdon, Bickerton's leadership ultimately emphasized a strict adherence to the Bible and the Book of Mormon while rejecting the Doctrine and Covenants. The church experienced significant internal conflict, leading to schisms that delayed unity for decades. Today, the Bickertonites maintain a unique structure in which the president of the church serves a defined term, and they remain committed to missionary work, particularly among Native American communities.
Evolution of Leadership Succession Across Movements
Each of the church movements discussed has undergone significant evolution in their practices related to leadership succession. The Strangites uphold a belief in future prophets but lack a clear successor since Strang failed to appoint one. In contrast, the Community of Christ has shifted from a strong emphasis on lineal descent to a more fluid model that includes a discernment process for leadership appointments. Finally, the Bickertonites have established term limits for their church leadership, marking a willingness to adapt and modernize while maintaining core doctrines unique to their beliefs.
After the succession crisis of 1844, not every member of the Church chose to sustain and follow Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. And many of these members eventually formed or joined alternative restoration movements which became separate, distinct, and independent churches from one another. In fact, over the last 180 years there have actually been hundreds of Churches that have branched off from the same Joseph Smith-era restoration trunk.
Today on Church History Matters, for reasons we will explain, Casey and I have chosen to consider three such Restoration branches—namely, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (or Strangites); the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (or Josephites), today known as the Community of Christ; and the Church of Jesus Christ (or Bickertonites). Our focus will be primarily on the question of how succession has developed and works today in each of these movements.
