Timesuck with Dan Cummins 484 - The King of Beaver Island
Dec 8, 2025
Dive into the outrageous saga of James Strang, a con artist who claimed the mantle of leadership after Joseph Smith. Discover how he forged letters and created brass plate legends to entice followers to Beaver Island, where he crowned himself king. Learn about the bizarre community dynamics, internal rebellions, and even a murder aboard a naval ship. This story is filled with scandal, piracy, and political intrigue that leaves you wondering how one man's deception led to such wild events.
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How Revelation Enables Copycat Prophets
- Joseph Smith's model of 'continuing revelation' created fertile ground for imitators who claimed direct divine authority.
- James Strang replicated Smith's tools (letters, plates, seer stones) to claim prophetic succession and legitimacy.
The Postmarked Letter That Launched A Cult
- A letter postmarked from Nauvoo claimed Joseph Smith named James Strang his successor nine days before Smith's murder.
- Historians later found the letter's handwriting and signature inconsistent with Smith's, indicating forgery.
The Brass Plates Translation Stunt
- Strang produced tiny brass plates he claimed to translate with borrowed seer stones and magical spectacles.
- Witnesses later alleged the plates were engraved from an old kettle and buried to stage a discovery.
