Join us on a fascinating journey to Voree/Burlington, Wisconsin, to explore the unique history and beliefs of a Latter-day Saint group often referred to as the Strangites. This isn’t the commonly known LDS Church; rather, it’s a distinct branch founded by James Strang. He started a rival Mormon Church in Voree/Burlington, Wisconsin back in 1844 and the church still exists! We’ll tour around the Trust Farm and see historic sites, including the Hill of Promise & the home where James Strang died. Gary Weber is a Strangite. He’s our tour guide and we’ll discuss their church and theology. You don’t want to miss this conversation…

Genesis of Strangism

The Strangite Church, formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Strangite), was founded in 1844. James Strang, who had been sent on a mission to Wisconsin by Joseph Smith, claimed that an angel ordained him on June 27, 1844, the very day Joseph Smith died. This divine ordination, he asserted, made him the rightful successor to the church’s leadership.

Trip to Voree/Burlington

The journey to this lesser-known Latter-day Saint community in Wisconsin involved a mix of trains, planes, and automobiles. Landing in Milwaukee, the trip continued towards Burlington, Wisconsin, where the Church is located. The group believes they are the original Mormon Church and refer to themselves as Mormons. The area around Burlington, known as Voree is the setting for much of Strangite history, especially concerning the “Voree record.” The weather in Burlington on June 12th was surprisingly mild for summer, with a high of just 63 and low around 56 degrees Fahrenheit, a notable difference from Utah’s typical June temperatures.

Current Church Building and Surroundings

The current Strangite church building, located on Spring Valley Road near what’s called “Mormon Road,” is smaller than I expected. According to Bill Shepard, a long-time resident & member, this building was constructed around 1965-1967 and marks the first time the Strangites have had a dedicated church building, as they were previously scattered. The lawn around the chapel is nicely manicured, and visitors are always welcome.

Inside, or in their collections, the Strangites possess a wealth of historical documents, including 26 volumes of the Journal of Discourses, Times and Seasons, and Millennial Star. They also have Strang Manuscripts, which are copies of letters, and a publication called The Northern Islander, which was published at Beaver Island. Notably, the Strangites do use the Doctrine and Covenants.

Sacred Hill of Promise

One of the most significant sites for Strangites is the Hill of Promise. This is where James Strang is believed to have found his “Voree plates. The discovery was found under a small tree on the hill, under which Strang claimed a buried record lay. He gathered respected men from the town to witness the excavation, ensuring no prior disturbance of the soil. An angel reportedly appeared to Strang, revealing the record’s location.

Upon opening the stone casing, the ancient record crumbled due to exposure to air, a common occurrence with ancient artifacts according to Weber. Strang translated this record using the Urim and Thummim, which he said he received from the angel Moroni. The “Voree record” was a short account of a people named “Raja Ramor” who lived in the area and, similar to the Nephites on the Hill Cumorah, were largely destroyed in a great war. The record also depicted the priesthood structure, aligning precisely with the priesthood under Joseph Smith and James Strang, including prophet, viceroy, twelve apostles, and seventies.

Beyond its historical significance, the Hill of Promise holds prophetic importance: James Strang’s revelations indicate that Daniel from the Bible will someday appear on this hill to teach the saints and announce the imminent second coming of Christ. Meetings are sometimes held there to commemorate this.

Key Locations and Figures in Voree

The tour also covered several other historically rich locations:

  • The Trust Farm: Much of the land in Voree, including several historic buildings, is part of the trust farm, which was started by Wingfield Watson. They currently rent out farmland for cattle grazing.

◦ The “Mormon House”: An old building from the early 1800s, it was once home to a member of James Strang’s church.

◦ Wingfield Watson’s House: Wingfield Watson was a significant leader in the church after James Strang. He lived in Voree, went to Beaver Island, and returned after the saints were run off the island. Born in Ireland, Watson was converted to Mormonism by Parley P. Pratt’s pamphlet, Voice of Warning, and later to Strangism by a Strangite elder. He lived a long life (1828-1922) and was a loyal disciple and stalwart leader who helped the scattered saints. His home is now occupied by David August’s son. A memorial to Wingfield Watson stands outside an old church, erected in 1984 by the Wingfield Watson Trust.

◦ The Old Church House: An earlier church building from the early 1900s, still stands today. It was used from  at least 1940 to around 1965, now serves as storage.

  • Printing Press Building: This building housed the printing press for publications like The Gospel Herald, and now serves as storage.

Another old building behind the church, It previously was used to print the Gospel Herald.

◦ The Stone Quarry: Located across the street from the trust farm, this quarry provided rock for many homes in Burlington that still stand, including James Strang’s parents’ house. The quarry is still actively mined.

  • Voree Park: Also owned by the trust farm, this park features a pictorial representation of early church members and their homes, including the Moses Smith.
  • White River: This river was a site for baptisms for the dead under Strang. It once had a large water wheel for grinding wheat and corn, though it’s long gone now. The river was historically known as “White River” due to its heavy flow.
  • Voree Temple Project: A grand temple was planned for Voree, with cornerstones laid across the river, but it never progressed much beyond the foundation. Some visuals have even depicted it as potentially larger than the Nauvoo Temple, though this is debated given it was never fully built.
  • James Strang’s Parents’ House: This “original Stone Quarry house” is where James Strang was brought after being shot on Beaver Island. He lived there for three weeks before he died. He was initially buried in the Mormon Voree Cemetery on Mormon Road but later moved to the Burlington Cemetery. This is now a private residence, though a tour participant recounted staying in the room where Strang died.

Challenges and Adaptations

The Strangite Church faced a significant challenge when a treasurer absconded with tithing money. Because the church was not legally registered with the government, the bank account was in the treasurer’s name, making recovery impossible. This incident prompted the church to obtain a charter and register as a legal entity to hold property, despite objections from some who felt it changed the church. However, registering with the government for legal recognition and property ownership was a common practice in church history.

Strangite Genesis in Voree

The current headquarters of the Strangite Church is Burlington, Wisconsin. Interestingly, the area holds historical significance with multiple names. It was originally called Foxville. While today it’s known as Burlington, a specific area on the west side of town where the Mormon settlement was located was called Voree by the early Strangites, a name associated with the significant “Voree record”. James J. Strang led his followers to this location, believing God had instructed them to move from Nauvoo.

James Strang was dispatched to the Burlington area by Joseph Smith, having been baptized and made an elder by Smith himself. Strang wrote back to Joseph Smith, suggesting Voree would be a “wonderful place for a gathering” due to its rich resources like fish, fresh water, great farmland, and good soil near the Great Lakes. Initially, Joseph Smith was hesitant, but after discussion with Hyrum Smith and a subsequent spiritual revelation, he concluded that Voree was indeed a good place for the Saints.

James J. Strang: Joseph Smith’s Chosen Successor?

The Strangite Church believes that James J. Strang was divinely appointed as Joseph Smith’s successor. This belief is rooted in two pivotal events:

  • The Letter of Appointment: Joseph Smith penned a letter to James A. Strang, officially appointing him as his successor. This original letter is now preserved at Yale University in the Beineke Library, with copies available for members.
  • The Angelic Ordination: On the very day Joseph Smith was assassinated, June 27, 1844, angels appeared to James J. Strang and ordained him a prophet. These were believed to be the same angels who ordained Joseph Smith – Peter, James, and John. Strang was aware of Joseph’s death through this angelic visitation even before news arrived from Nauvoo. Furthermore, it’s believed that Jesus also anointed Strang as the King of Israel for the gentile dispensation, an ordination attributed to his lineage from the royal line of King David.

Sacred Texts and Prophetic Interpretations

The Strangite Church embraces a unique canon of scripture beyond what is common in other Latter-day Saint traditions:

  • The Voree Plates: These ancient plates were revealed to James Strang through a vision from the angel Moroni, known as the Hill of Promise. Strang gathered leading citizens to witness their excavation from beneath a tree, about four feet down, where roots had grown around them. The plates, housed in an earthen case, crumbled upon exposure to air due to their age. Witnesses, including a newspaper reporter from Kenosha, confirmed the ancient nature of the record and that the site had been undisturbed. Strang translated them using the Urim and Thummim given to him by the angel Moroni, much like Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Mormon. The Voree Plates provide a brief history of a people who were “no more” and, most notably, contained a pictorial drawing depicting the true structure of the priesthood, including the prophet lawgiver, two viceroys, twelve apostles, high priests, and seventies. These plates were translated around 1844.
  • The Book of the Law: This significant text is believed to be the “stick of Judah” spoken of in Ezekiel 37. According to Strangite belief, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon (the stick of Ephraim), but was instructed not to touch the sealed record, which was the Book of the Law, meant for a future prophet. James J. Strang, being of the tribe of Judah with Jewish ancestry, translated the Book of the Law after receiving the plates of Laban from the angel Moroni. Parts of the book were translated from these plates using the Urim and Thummim, while other sections comprise articles written by Strang himself on various gospel topics. Unlike some other Latter-day Saints who identify the Bible as the stick of Judah, Strangites believe the Book of the Law fulfills this prophecy because it was written by a man of the tribe of Judah. Strang’s background as a lawyer and legislator known for writing excellent laws in Michigan further aligns with his role as a “lawgiver”.
  • Other Accepted Texts: The Strangites also believe in the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, and the Book of Moses. For the Doctrine and Covenants, they adhere to the 1844 edition established by Joseph Smith. While they maintain good relations with the RLDS (Community of Christ) Church, they primarily use the Salt Lake City (LDS) 1974 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Distinctive Beliefs and Relations with Other Latter-day Saints

The Strangite Church identifies as “Mormons” and shares a similar church name with other Latter-day Saint groups. However, there are key distinctions:

  • Interpretation of the “Stick of Judah”: As noted, they believe the Book of the Law, translated by James Strang, is the “stick of Judah,” not the Bible, which was written by many individuals from various tribes.
  • Polygamy: While James Strang did practice polygamy, leading to some members leaving for the RLDS Church or Utah, the Strangites hold that polygamy can only be ushered in by a prophet through divine dispensation. They also believe God would not command something that would lead people to break the law and face imprisonment.
  • Future Prophecy: They interpret Ezekiel 37 and Isaiah 11 to mean that a future prophet from the House of Judah, greater than Moses, will gather the Israelites from the four corners of the earth, including American Indians and the lost ten tribes, establishing a new dispensation.

The Strangite Church, through its unique history, prophetic succession, and scriptural interpretations, offers a rich and distinctive chapter in the broader Latter-day Saint narrative. Are you familiar with them? Have you seen our other interviews with Bill Shepard, Vickie Speek, and Kyle Beshears on Strangites?

Distinctive Stance on Polygamy

The Strangite Church believes that polygamy is an eternal principle and can be acceptable to God if commanded by Him, primarily “to build up seed unto [His] name,” not for lustful purposes. This aligns with the Book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon, which states one should have only one wife “unless I command you otherwise.” Historical figures like Abraham are cited as examples of righteous men who practiced it when commanded.

Regarding their founder, James Strang, initially, he was against polygamy. However, he later embraced it, reportedly through inspiration from God on Beaver Island, allowing it as part of the “Book of the Law of the Lord.” It’s notable that its practice was limited, with perhaps only five families out of thousands practicing it due to financial constraints and the crucial requirement that the wife must not object.

Currently, the Strangite Church does not practice polygamy. This is primarily because they believe in keeping the laws of the land, and polygamy is against the law. They hold that God would not put people in a position to break the law and go to jail. Gary Weber noted that Joseph Smith also said, “We believe in keeping the laws of the land.” Furthermore, they believe that only a prophet can “usher in a dispensation for polygamy.” Interestingly, Gary mentioned that Joseph Smith allegedly cut off a Mr. Brown from the church for practicing and teaching polygamy three months before his death, suggesting an inconsistency in Joseph Smith’s own stated position if he himself practiced it.

Baptism for the Dead

Another unique doctrine discussed is baptism for the dead, which the Strangites believe requires a prophet to “usher in a dispensation” and obtain “the keys from Elijah.” They assert that both Joseph Smith and James A. Strang received these keys and therefore practiced it. The “Book of the Law of the Lord” includes a section on the doctrine of baptism for the dead, which is described as identical to the information Joseph Smith put out in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

A significant difference between the Strangite practice and that of the Utah Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is that the Strangites believe that the sex of the person does not matter; a woman could be baptized for her deceased father if he hadn’t been baptized. In contrast, the Utah church generally practices that women baptize for women and men for men.

However, the Strangite Church does not currently practice baptism for the dead. The reason, similar to polygamy, is the absence of a living prophet on the earth.

Waiting for the Prophet of the “Stick of Judah”

The Strangite Church has a distinct eschatological belief tied to a prophecy in Genesis 49, where Jacob blesses his 12 sons. When speaking of Judah, it states, “the lawgiver shall not depart between the feet of Judah.” They interpret this to mean that after Joseph Smith, who they consider the prophet of the “stick of Ephraim,” there was to be a prophet from the tribe of Judah who would “bring forth the book of the law.”

This next prophet is expected to remain in the house of Judah, from the tribe of King David, and will take the gospel to the house of Israel. The Strangite Church is currently waiting for this prophet to come forth, as they believe there was meant to be an “indirect period of time” after James Strang, before the “house of Israel’s dispensation to the Jews” began.

James Strang’s Life & Beaver Island Community

James Strang lived in the Voree/Burlington area, Wisconsin, from about 1842 until approximately 1849 or 1850. He then moved his community to Beaver Island around 1850, remaining there until 1856 when he was killed.

Strang held significant authority on Beaver Island, serving as both mayor and “king” through his priesthood, though still under Michigan’s jurisdiction. His leadership led to conflict with other islanders. Reasons for the animosity included:

  • Prohibition on the sale of alcohol to both Indians and Saints on Beaver Island.
  • Economic competition from the Strangites, who were selling timber from Beaver Island, taking trade away from other islanders on Lake Michigan.

James Strang was shot on the pier in Beaver Island in 1856 and died a few weeks later at his parents’ house in Voree. Despite having time, he chose not to call a successor, as it was not believed to be the appointed time for the next prophet to come forth. After his death, the Strangite community on Beaver Island scattered, with members returning to various family homes in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, notably establishing a significant branch in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

Lost Temple and Church Leadership Today

James Strang reportedly laid the cornerstone for a temple near the White River. However, the exact location of this temple site has since been lost over time, as it was eventually torn down “by the Gentiles.” The temple was never finished. While there have been claims about Strang organizing an “Order of the Illuminati” with Masonic influences, Gary Weber stated there’s no definitive proof from Strang’s own writings. Many early Mormons, including Joseph Smith and James Strang, were Masons. Many of the day had the objective to keep Catholic influence out of politics.

Following James Strang’s death, the Strangite Church faced a challenge in leadership succession. They believe that only a prophet, through revelation, can call an apostle, and that “the lesser cannot bless the greater or ordain the greater.” Consequently, as their original apostles died out, they could not “regenerate themselves” without a prophet. As such, the Strangite Church is now led by high priests and elders.

In an interesting note on priesthood, the Strangite Church ordains women to an office within the Aaronic priesthood: Teacher. They believe that Emma Smith, Joseph Smith’s wife, was the first teacher. However, women holding these offices cannot ordain or baptize.

What are your thoughts?