Editing James Strang

{{Short description|American Mormon leader (1813–1856)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{POV|date=July 2020}}
{{Lead too long|date=January 2025}}
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{{Infobox Latter Day Saint biography
| name                = James J. Strang
| image               = James Strang daguerreotype (1856).jpg
| alt                 = 
| caption             = James Strang in 1856 [[daguerreotype]] photograph
| birth_name          = James Jesse Strang
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1813|03|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Scipio, New York]], United States
| home_town           = 
| death_date          = {{death date and age|1856|07|09|1813|03|21|mf=y}}
| death_place         = [[Voree, Wisconsin]], United States
| death_cause         = [[Gunshot wound]]
| resting_place       = Burlington Cemetery 
| resting_place_coordinates = {{Coord|42| 40|59.16|N|88|15|30.96|W|type:landmark|display=inline|name=Burlington Cemetery}}
| education           = 
| alma_mater          = 
| occupation          = 
| employer            = 
| organization        = 
| notable_works       = 
| title               = 
| spouse              = {{plain list|
* {{marriage|Mary Perce|1836|1851|end=[[Legal separation|{{abbr|sep.|separated}}]]}}
* {{marriage|Elvira Eliza Field|1849}}
* {{marriage|Betsy McNutt|1852}}
* {{marriage|Sarah Wright|1855}}
* {{marriage|Phoebe Wright|1855}} }}
| children            = 14
| parents             = Clement Strang<br />Abigaile James
| relatives           = 
| portals             = Movement
<!-- Latter Day Saint Leadership  -->
| position_or_quorum1 = Founder of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)]]
| called_by1          = 
| ordination_reason1  = 
| predecessor1        = [[Joseph Smith]]
| successor1          = No successor to date
| start_date1         = {{circa|June 1844}}
| end_date1           = {{end date|1856|07|09}}
| end_reason1         = 
| reorganization1     = 
<!--Political Office Holders  -->
| political_office1   = Member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]]
| term_start1         = 1853
| term_end1           = {{end date|1856|07|09}}
| president           = 
| office_predecessor1 = 
| office_successor1   = 
| party               = 
| poly_date           = July 13, 1849
| poly_wives          = 5
| list_notes          = Originally, Strang was strenuously opposed to the practice of polygamy;<ref>(August 12, 1847). ''Voree Herald'' as quoted in Fitzpatrick, pp. 74–5. See also Apostle John E. Page at this same source, on his conversations with Strang on the subject.</ref> however, in 1849, Strang reversed course and become one of its strongest advocates. Since many of his early disciples had looked to him as a monogamous counterweight to Brigham Young's polygamous version of Mormonism, Strang's decision to embrace plural marriage proved costly to him and his church.
}}
'''James Jesse Strang''' (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed [[monarch]]. He served as a member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] from 1853 until his assassination.

In 1844, he said he had been appointed as the successor of [[Joseph Smith]] as leader of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)]],{{efn|The Strangites use no hyphen in their church title and capitalize the "D" in "Day", just as was done in Joseph Smith's church.|name=caps}} a faction of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]]. Strang testified that he had possession of a letter from Smith naming him as his successor, and furthermore reported that he had been ordained to the prophetic office by an angel. His followers believe his organization to be the sole legitimate continuation of the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Christ]] founded by Smith fourteen years before.

A major contender for leadership of the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] during the [[succession crisis (Latter Day Saints)|1844 succession crisis]] after [[Killing of Joseph Smith|Smith's death]], Strang urged other prominent church leaders like [[Brigham Young]] and [[Sidney Rigdon]] to remain in their previous offices and to support his appointment by Smith. Young and the members of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|Twelve Apostles]] loyal to him rejected Strang's claims, as did Rigdon, who had been a counselor in the [[First Presidency]] to Smith. This divided the Latter Day Saint movement. During his 12 years tenure as [[Prophet, Seer and Revelator]], Strang reigned for six years as the crowned "[[king]]" of an ecclesiastical monarchy that he established on [[Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)|Beaver Island]] in the US state of [[Michigan]]. Building an organization that eventually rivaled Young's in [[Utah]], Strang gained nearly 12,000 adherents at a time when Young was said to have about 50,000.<ref>"[http://www.strangite.org/History.htm History and Succession] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121228100134/http://www.strangite.org/History.htm |date=2012-12-28 }}". ''Strangite.org.'' Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/search|title=See "Church membership: 1830–2006"}}</ref> After Strang was killed in 1856 most of his followers rallied under [[Joseph Smith III]] and joined the [[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] (RLDS). The Strangite church has remained small in comparison to other branches of the Latter-Day Saint movement.

Similar to Joseph Smith, who was alleged by church opponent [[William Marks (Latter Day Saints)|William Marks]] to have been crowned King in [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] prior to his death,<ref>Statement by Nauvoo Stake President William Marks, ''Zion's Harbinger and Banemeey's Organ'', July 1853, pg. 53.</ref> Strang taught that the chief prophetic office embodied an overtly ''royal'' attribute. Thus, its occupant was to be not only the spiritual leader of his people but their temporal king as well.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 168–76.</ref><ref name="Strang, the King">"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/strang,_the_king.htm Strang, the King] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925012739/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/strang,_the_king.htm |date=2007-09-25 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> He offered a sophisticated set of teachings that differed in many significant aspects from any other version of Mormonism, including that preached by Smith. Like Smith, Strang published translations of two purportedly ancient lost works: the [[Voree plates|Voree Record]], deciphered from three metal plates reportedly unearthed in response to a vision; and the [[Book of the Law of the Lord]], supposedly transcribed from the [[Laban (Book of Mormon)|Plates of Laban]] mentioned in the [[Book of Mormon]]. These are accepted as scripture by his followers, and the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship, but not by any other Latter Day Saint church. Although his long-term doctrinal influence on the Latter Day Saint movement was minimal, several early members of Strang's organization helped to establish the RLDS Church (now known as the [[Community of Christ]]), which became (and remains) the second-largest Latter Day sect. While most of Strang's followers eventually disavowed him due to his eventual advocacy of polygamy, a small but devout remnant carries on his teachings and organization today.

In addition to his ecclesiastical calling, Strang served one full term and part of a second as a member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]], assisting in the organization of [[Manitou County, Michigan|Manitou County]]. He was also at various times an attorney, educator, temperance lecturer, newspaper editor, [[Baptist]] minister, correspondent for the ''[[New York Tribune]]'', and amateur scientist. His survey of Beaver Island's natural history was published by the [[Smithsonian Institution]] in 1854, remaining the definitive work on that subject for nearly a century,<ref name=Weeks>{{cite web |last=Weeks |first=Robert P. |date=June 1970 |url=http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1970/4/1970_4_4.shtml |title=For His Was the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory&nbsp;... Briefly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122436/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1970/4/1970_4_4.shtml |archive-date=2007-09-29 |magazine=[[American Heritage (magazine)|American Heritage]] |volume=21 |issue=4}}</ref> while his career in the Michigan legislature was praised even by his enemies.

While Strang's organization is formally known as the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]],{{efn|name=caps}} the term "Strangite" is usually added to the title to avoid confusing them with other Latter Day Saint bodies carrying this or similar names. This follows a typical nineteenth-century usage where followers of Brigham Young were referred to as "Brighamites," while those of Sidney Rigdon were called "Rigdonites," followers of Joseph Smith III were called "Josephites", and disciples of Strang became "Strangites".{{efn|Strangites still use these terms today, as do members of some other Latter Day Saint groups.}}<ref name=Strangite>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Church%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20of%20Latter%20Day%20Saints%20(Strangite).htm Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925013040/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Church%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20of%20Latter%20Day%20Saints%20(Strangite).htm |date=2007-09-25 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>

==Childhood, education and conversion to Mormonism==
James Jesse Strang was born March 21, 1813, in [[Scipio, New York|Scipio]], [[Cayuga County, New York]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Rodgers|first=Bradley A.|title=Guardian of the Great Lakes: The U.S. Paddle Frigate Michigan|date=1996|publisher=University of Michigan Press|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U38ka8Rm3NMC&pg=PA60 |isbn=0472066072}}</ref> He was the second of three children, and his parents had a good reputation in their community. Strang's mother was very tender with him as a consequence of delicate health, yet she required him to render an account of all his actions and words while absent from her.<ref>Post, Warren. "[http://www.strangstudies.org/James_Jesse_Strang/ History of James Strang: The Birth and Parentage of the Prophet James]". ''StrangStudies.org''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> In a brief autobiography he wrote in 1855, Strang reported that he had attended grade school until age twelve, but that "the terms were usually short, the teachers inexperienced and ill qualified to teach, and my health such as to preclude attentive study or steady attendance." He estimated that his time in a classroom during those years totaled six months.<ref name="Strang, the Man">"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/strang,_the_man.htm Strang, the Man] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010113135/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,_The_Man.htm |date=2007-10-10 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-31</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Appears to have been someone's personal website. No apparent institutional background or editorial oversight.|date=February 2024}}

But none of this meant that Strang was illiterate or simple. Although his teachers "not unfrequently turned me off with little or no attention, as though I was too stupid to learn and too dull to feel neglect," Strang recalled that he spent "long weary days&nbsp;... upon the floor, thinking, thinking, thinking&nbsp;... my mind wandered over fields that old men shrink from, seeking rest and finding none till darkness gathered thick around and I burst into tears."<ref name="Strang, the Man"/><ref>{{cite journal |last=Legler |first=Henry Eduard |year=1897 |title=A Moses of the Mormons: Strang's City of Refuge and Island Kingdom |page=150 |issue=15–16 |journal=Parkman Club Publications |url={{Google books|u33hAAAAMAAJ|page=150|plainurl=y}}}}</ref> He studied works by [[Thomas Paine]] and the [[Comte de Volney]],<ref name=Weeks/> whose book ''Les Ruines'' exerted a significant influence on the future prophet.<ref>Fitzpatrick, pp. 26–27.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}

As a youth, Strang kept a rather profound personal diary, written partly in a secret code that was not deciphered until over one hundred years after it was authored. This journal contains Strang's musings on a variety of topics, including a sense that he was called to be a significant world leader the likes of [[Julius Caesar|Caesar]] or [[Napoleon]] and his regret that by age nineteen, he had not yet become a general or member of the [[State legislature (United States)|state legislature]], which he saw as being essential by that point in his life to his quest to be someone of importance.<ref>Strang, Mark. (1961). ''The Diary of James J. Strang: Deciphered, Transcribed, Introduced, and Annotated''. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press. Entry for March 21, 1832.  The diary was deciphered by Strang's grandson Mark Strang, a banker in Long Beach, California.</ref> However, Strang's diary reveals a heartfelt desire to be of service to his fellow man, together with agonized frustration at not knowing how he might do so as a penniless, unknown youth from upstate New York.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

At age twelve, Strang was baptized a Baptist. He did not wish to follow his father's calling as a farmer, so he took up the study of law. Strang was admitted to the bar in New York at age 23 and later at other places where he resided. He became county [[Postmaster]] and edited a local newspaper, the ''Randolph Herald''.<ref>Jensen, Robin (2005). [http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/591/ ''Gleaning the Harvest: Strangite Missionary Work 1846–1850''], p. 32.  Retrieved on 2016-02-09.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is a thesis, which is not bad but is not the best. Robin Scott Jensen's research on Strangites was later published as a chapter in the John Whitmer Books anthology ''Scattering of the Saints: Schism Within Mormonism''; an academic chapter like that, representing a revised version of this thesis research, would be a better source to cite from.|date=February 2024}} Later, in the midst of his myriad duties on Beaver Island, he would find time to found and publish the ''Daily Northern Islander'', the first newspaper in northern Michigan.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 208.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}

Strang, who once described himself as a "cool philosopher"<ref name=Weeks/> and a [[Freethought|freethinker]], became a Baptist [[minister of religion|minister]] but left in February 1844 to join the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]. He quickly found favor with Joseph Smith, though they had known each other only a short time, and was baptized personally by him on February 25, 1844.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 27.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}<ref>Greene, John P. (Nauvoo City Marshal in 1844). "[http://www.strangite.org/Famous.htm 150 people who each knew more about Joseph Smith than anyone alive today]." ''Strangite.org'', item 48. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=Preceding note says it is from 1844, and John Greene was marshal of Nauvoo during that time; this may constitute original research.}} On March 3 of that year he was ordained an [[Elder (Latter Day Saints)|Elder]] by Joseph's brother [[Hyrum Smith|Hyrum]] and sent forthwith at Smith's request to Wisconsin, to establish a Mormon [[Stake (Latter Day Saints)|stake]] at [[Voree, Wisconsin|Voree]]. Shortly after Strang's departure, Joseph Smith was murdered by an anti-Mormon mob in [[Carthage, Illinois]].{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

==Succession claim and notable early allies==
{{Main|Succession crisis (Latter Day Saints)}}
[[File:Strang2.jpg|thumb|right| Page three of Strang's "[[Letter of Appointment (Mormonism)|Letter of Appointment]]."]]

After Smith's death, Strang claimed the right to lead the Latter Day Saints, but he was not the only claimant to Smith's prophetic mantle. His most significant rivals were Brigham Young, president of Smith's Twelve Apostles, and Sidney Rigdon, a member of Smith's First Presidency. A power struggle ensued, during which Young quickly disposed of Rigdon in a Nauvoo debate. Young would reject offers to debate with Strang for the next three years before leading his followers to [[Utah Territory|Utah]] while Rigdon led a smaller group to [[Pennsylvania]]. As a newcomer to the faith<ref name="Norton 2003 3">{{harvnb|Norton|2003|p=3}}</ref> Strang did not possess the name recognition, or a more prominent calling like his rivals, so his prospects of assuming Smith's prophetic mantle appeared shaky at first. But this did not dissuade him. Though the Quorum of Twelve quickly published a notice in the ''[[Times and Seasons]]'' of Strang's excommunication,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n16.htm|title=Times and Seasons Volume 5, Number 16|website=www.centerplace.org}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). I am almost sure Strang's excommunication by the Quorum of the Twelve will appear in some biography of his.|date=February 2024}} Strang insisted that the laws of the church prevented excommunication without a trial. He equally asserted that the Twelve had no right to sit in judgment on him, as ''he'' was the lawful [[President of the Church|church president]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/IA/JStrang2.htm|title=Uncle Dale's Old Mormon Articles: Iowa, Wisc. & Minn.: Strang: 1848-51|website=www.sidneyrigdon.com}}</ref> He began to attract several Mormon luminaries to his side, including Smith's brother [[William Smith (Latter Day Saints)|William Smith]] (an Apostle in Smith's church), Smith's mother [[Lucy Mack Smith]], and William Marks, [[stake president|president]] of the Nauvoo Stake.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Strang rested his claim to leadership on an ordination by an angel at the very moment Joseph Smith died (similar to the ordination of Smith), requirements that he claimed were set forth in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]] that the President had to be appointed by revelation and ordained by angels, and a "[[Letter of Appointment (Mormonism)|Letter of Appointment]]" from Smith, carrying a legitimate Nauvoo [[postmark]]. This letter was dated June 18, 1844, just nine days before Smith's death.<ref name="Norton 2003 3"/> Smith and Strang were some 225&nbsp;miles (362&nbsp;km) apart at the time,<ref name="Norton 2003 3"/> Strang offered witnesses to affirm that he had made his announcement before news of Smith's demise was publicly available.<ref>Strang 1854b, p. 23.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}} Strang's letter is held today by [[Yale University]]. Every aspect of the letter has been disputed by opposing factions, including the postmark and the signature <ref>Quinn, p. 210, although the postmark has been proven to be legitimate.  See also Eberstadt, Charles, "A Letter That Founded a Kingdom," ''Autograph Collectors' Journal'' (October, 1950): 3–8.</ref><ref>Jensen, p. 6, note 17.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is a thesis, which is not bad but is not the best. Robin Scott Jensen's research on Strangites was later published as a chapter in the John Whitmer Books anthology ''Scattering of the Saints: Schism Within Mormonism''; an academic chapter like that, representing a revised version of this thesis research, would be a better source to cite from.|date=February 2024}} however the postmark is genuine and at least one firm (Tyrell and Doud) hired to analyse the document and compare it to Smith's known letters concluded that it was likely to have been authored by Smith. They concluded "A brief observation of these four documents indicates that the education and word usage was consistent with the theory that all four documents were authored by one individual."<ref>{{Cite book|title=James J. Strang: Teachings of a Mormon Prophet|last=Shepard|first=William|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints|year=1977|location=Burlington, WI|pages=261–262}}</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=February 2024|reason=In light of the disputation among Mormonisms over Joseph Smith's appropriate successor, this sentence about whether or not Smith authored the letter of appointment seems like something that should be cited to a third party and not to a book published directly by the denomination descended from Strang's leadership.}}

There have been several conflicting claims about the authenticity of the letter. One disaffected member of Strang's church said they received a confession from Strang's law partner, C. P. Barnes, that he had fabricated the Letter of Appointment and the [[Voree Plates]].<ref>Nelson-Seawright, J. (October 27, 2006). "[http://www.bycommonconsent.com/2006/10/the-prophet-jesse-james/ The Prophet Jesse James]".  ''ByCommonConsent.com''. Retrieved October 28, 2007.</ref> Another member of the Brighamites stated years after Strang's death to have forged the letter himself and mailed it to Strang as a prank.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} There are no reliable firsthand statements, however, by witnesses or insiders that question the validity of the letter.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Johnepage.jpg|left|thumb|[[John E. Page]], an [[Apostle (Latter Day Saints)|Apostle]] under [[Joseph Smith]] and James Strang.]] -->
Strang's letter convinced several eminent Mormons of his claims, including Book of Mormon witnesses [[John Whitmer|John]] and [[David Whitmer]], [[Martin Harris (Latter Day Saints)|Martin Harris]], and [[Hiram Page]].{{efn|David Whitmer and Martin Harris, two of the [[Three Witnesses]], and Hiram Page and John Whitmer of the [[Eight Witnesses]].}} In addition, [[Apostle (Latter Day Saints)|apostles]] [[John E. Page]], [[William E. McLellin]], and William Smith,{{efn|John Page and William Smith were apostles at Smith's death; William M'Lellin had previously been an apostle, but was excommunicated in 1838.}} together with Nauvoo [[Stake (Latter Day Saints)|Stake]] President [[William Marks (Mormonism)|William Marks]], and Bishop [[George Miller (Latter Day Saints)|George Miller]],{{efn|George Miller, who is mentioned in the LDS Doctrine & Covenants section 124: verses 20, 62 and 70.}} accepted Strang. Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and three of his sisters accepted Strang's claims. According to the ''Voree Herald'', Strang's newspaper, Lucy Smith wrote to one Reuben Hedlock: "I am satisfied that Joseph appointed J.J. Strang. It is verily so."<ref name=11May46>(Nauvoo, 11 May 1846).  "[http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/IA/JStrang1.htm#050046 Opinions of the Smith Family]". ''Voree Herald'' '''I''' (6). Retrieved on 2007-10-28.<br />'''''a''''': Letter of Lucy Smith to Reuben Hedlock.<br />
'''''b''''': Letter of William Smith to Reuben Hedlock.</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=February 2024|reason=In light of the disputation among Mormonisms over Joseph Smith's appropriate successor, this sentence about whether or not Lucy Mack Smith (Joseph Smith's mother) regarded Strang as his rightful successor seems like something that should be cited to a third party and not to the denomination's own newspaper. A secondary academic source should be cited.}} According to Joseph Smith's brother William, all of his family (except for Hyrum and [[Samuel Harrison Smith|Samuel Smith]]'s widows), endorsed Strang.<ref name=11May46/>{{Third-party inline|date=February 2024|reason=In light of the disputation among Mormonisms over Joseph Smith's appropriate successor, this sentence about whether or not Lucy Mack Smith (Joseph Smith's mother) regarded Strang as his rightful successor seems like something that should be cited to a third party and not to the denomination's own newspaper. A secondary academic source should be cited.}}

[[File:John C. Bennett engraving.jpg|left|thumb|Engraving of [[John C. Bennett]] as a General of the [[Nauvoo Legion]].]]
Also championing Strang was [[John C. Bennett]], a physician and [[libertine]] who had a tumultuous career as Joseph Smith's [[Assistant President of the Church|Assistant President]] and mayor of Nauvoo. Invited by Strang to join him in Voree,<ref>Fitzpatrick, pp. 146–47.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} Bennett was instrumental in establishing a so-called "Halcyon Order of the [[Illuminati]]" there, with Strang as its "Imperial Primate."<ref name=Weeks/> Eventually, as in Nauvoo, Bennett fell into disfavor with the church and Strang expelled him in 1847.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 151.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} His "order" fell by the wayside and has no role in Strangism today, though it did lead to conflict between Strang and some of his associates.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

==From monogamist to polygamist==
{{Overly detailed|section|details=|date=April 2025}}
About 12,000 Latter Day Saints ultimately accepted Strang's claims.<ref>"[http://www.strangite.org/History.htm History and Succession] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121228100134/http://www.strangite.org/History.htm |date=2012-12-28 }}". ''Strangite.org''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> A second "Stake of Zion" was established on [[Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)|Beaver Island]] in [[Lake Michigan]], where Strang moved his church headquarters in 1848. Strang's church had a high turnover rate, with many of his initial adherents, including all of those listed above (with the exception of George Miller, who remained loyal to Strang until death), leaving the church before his demise. John E. Page departed in July 1849, accusing Strang of dictatorial tendencies and concurring with Bennett's furtive "Illuminati" order.<ref>Sillito, Chapter 2.</ref> Martin Harris had broken with Strang by January 1847,<ref>[http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/MHarris.html Sketch of the Life of Martin Harris] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720214641/http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/MHarris.html |date=2007-07-20 }} BOAP.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.</ref> after a failed mission to England. Hiram Page and the Whitmers also left around this time.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Many defections, however, were due to Strang's seemingly abrupt "about-face" on the turbulent subject of [[polygamy]]. Vehemently opposed to the practice at first,<ref>(August 12, 1847). ''Voree Herald'' as quoted in Fitzpatrick, pp. 74–75.  See also Apostle John E. Page at this same source, on his conversations with Strang on the subject.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} Strang reversed course in 1849 and became one of its strongest advocates, marrying five wives (including his original spouse, Mary) and fathering fourteen children. Since many of his early disciples viewed him as a monogamous counterweight to Brigham Young's polygamous version of Mormonism, Strang's decision to embrace plural marriage proved costly both to him and his organization. Strang defended his new tenet by claiming that, far from enslaving or demeaning women, polygamy would ''liberate'' and "elevate" them by allowing them to choose the best possible mate based upon any factors which were deemed important by them. Rather than being forced to wed "corrupt and degraded sires" due to the scarcity of more suitable men, a woman could marry the man who she believed was most compatible to her, the best candidate to father her children and give her the finest possible life, even if he had multiple wives.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 318–28.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}}

At the time of his death, all four of Strang's current wives were pregnant, and he had four posthumous children.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Strang's wives and children<ref>{{cite book |last=Speek |first=Vickie Cleverley |date=2006 |title=God Has Made Us a Kingdom |location=Salt Lake City |publisher=Signature Books |pages=375–377 |isbn=9781560851929}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" width="25%" | Wife
! rowspan="2" | Marriage
! colspan="2" | Age
! rowspan="2" | Children together
|-
! Bride
! Groom
|-
| Mary Abigail Content Perce<br><small>1818–1880</small>
| {{abbr|m.|married}} Nov 20, 1836<br>{{abbr|sep.|separated}} May 1851
| {{age|Apr 10, 1818|Nov 20, 1836}}
| {{age|Mar 21, 1813|Nov 20, 1836}}
| {{plain list|
* Mary Elizabeth <small>1838–1843</small>
* Myraette Mabel <small>1840–1925</small>
* William J. <small>1844–1907</small>
* Harriet "Hattie" Anne <small>1848–1868</small>
}}
|-
| Elvira Eliza Field<br><small>1830–1910</small>
| {{abbr|m.|married}} July 13, 1849
| {{age|July 8, 1830|July 13, 1849}}
| {{age|March 21, 1813|July 13, 1849}}
| {{plain list|
* Evaline <small>1853–1926</small>
* Charles James <small>1851–1916</small>
* Clement J. <small>1854–1944</small>
* James Jesse Jr. <small>1857–1934</small>
}}
|-
| Elizabeth "Betsy" McNutt<br><small>{{lifespan|birth=1820|death=1897}}</small>
| {{abbr|m.|married}} January 19, 1852
| {{age|August 17, 1820|January 19, 1852}}
| {{age|March 21, 1813|January 19, 1852}}
| {{plain list|
* Evangeline <small>1853–1915</small>
* David James <small>1854–1854</small>
* Gabriel <small>1855–1935</small>
* Abigail Utopa <small>1857–1921</small>
}}
|-
| Sarah Adelia "Delia" Wright<br><small>1837–1923</small>
| {{abbr|m.|married}} July 15, 1855
| {{age|Nov 25, 1837|July 15, 1855}}
| {{age|March 21, 1813|July 15, 1855}}
| James Phineas Strang <small>1856–1937</small>
|-
| Phoebe Wright<br><small>1836–1914</small>
| {{abbr|m.|married}} October 27, 1855
| {{age|July 25, 1836|October 27, 1855}}
| {{age|March 21, 1813|October 27, 1855}}
| Eugenia Jesse <small>1856–1936</small>
|}

{{Horizontal timeline
|from=1836
|to=1856.52
|inc=2
|axis-nudge=-0.75em

|styleDefault-height=1.5em
|styleDefault-1-border=none;

|styleMarriage-boxcolour=#F7C000
|styleMarriage-border=none;border:2px solid #D0A200

|row1=timeline
|row1-style=styleDefault
|row1-1-to=1836.89 <!-- November 20, 1836 = 325/366 -->
|row1-2-to=1851.42 <!-- May 1851 = 5/12 -->
|row1-2-style=styleMarriage
|row1-2-text=Mary

|row2=timeline
|row2-style=styleDefault
|row2-1-to=1849.53 <!-- July 13, 1849 = 194/365 -->
|row2-2-to=1856.52 <!-- July 9, 1856 = 191/366 -->
|row2-2-style=styleMarriage
|row2-2-text=Elvira

|row3=timeline
|row3-style=styleDefault
|row3-1-to=1852.05 <!-- January 19, 1852 = 19/366 -->
|row3-2-to=1856.52 <!-- July 9, 1856 = 191/366 -->
|row3-2-style=styleMarriage
|row3-2-text=Betsy

|row4=timeline
|row4-style=styleDefault
|row4-1-to=1855.54 <!-- July 15, 1855 = 196/365 -->
|row4-2-to=1856.52 <!-- July 9, 1856 = 191/366 -->
|row4-2-style=styleMarriage
|row4-2-text=Sarah

|row5=timeline
|row5-style=styleDefault
|row5-1-to=1855.82 <!-- October 27, 1855 = 300/365 -->
|row5-2-to=1856.52 <!-- July 9, 1856 = 191/366 -->
|row5-2-style=styleMarriage
|row5-2-text=Phoebe

|row6=scale
|caption=James Strang's marriages
}}

Strang and his first wife Mary Perce separated in May 1851, though they remained legally married until Strang's death.<ref name=Fitz-82>Fitzpatrick, p. 82.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} His second wife, Elvira Eliza Field disguised herself at first as "Charlie J. Douglas," Strang's purported nephew, before revealing her true identity in 1850. Ironically, decades after Strang's death, Strang's fourth wife, Sarah Adelia Wright, divorced her second husband, Dr. Wing, due to Wing's interest in polygamy.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 127.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} Strang's last wife was Phoebe Wright, cousin to Sarah.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Sarah Wright described Strang as "a very mild-spoken, kind man to his family, although his word was law." She wrote that while each wife had her own bedroom, they shared meals and devotional time together with Strang and life in their household was "as pleasant as possible."<ref name=Weeks/><ref name=Fitz-82/>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} On the other hand, Strang and Phoebe Wright's daughter, Eugenia, wrote in 1936 that after only eight months of marriage, her mother had "begun to feel dissatisfied with polygamy, though she loved him [Strang] devotedly all her life."<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 84.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}

==Theology==
[[File:VoreeChurch.jpg|thumb|left| Strangite church building in [[Voree, Wisconsin]]. (2005)]]

===Publications===
Like Joseph Smith, James Strang reported numerous visions, unearthed and translated allegedly ancient metal plates using what he said was the Biblical [[Urim and Thummim]], and claimed to have restored long-lost spiritual knowledge to humankind. Like Smith, he presented witnesses to authenticate the records he claimed to have received.<ref>Weeks, pp. iv, 250.</ref> Unlike Smith, however, Strang offered his plates to the public for examination. The non-Mormon [[Christopher Sholes]]&mdash;inventor of the [[typewriter]] and editor of a local newspaper&mdash;perused Strang's "[[Voree Plates]]", a minuscule brass chronicle Strang said he had been led to by a vision in 1845.<ref name=Plates/> Sholes offered no opinion on Strang's find, but described the prophet as "honest and earnest" and opined that his followers ranked "among the most honest and intelligent men in the neighborhood."<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 36.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} Strang published his translation of these plates as the "Voree Record," purporting to be the last testament of Rajah Manchou of Vorito, who had lived in the area centuries earlier and wished to leave a brief statement for posterity.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} The Voree Plates disappeared around 1900, and their current whereabouts are unknown.<ref name=Plates>A drawing of these plates, with translation and testimony of their discovery, may be found at James J. Strang. (1845). "[http://www.strangite.org/Plates.htm The Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito.] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120917103244/http://www.strangite.org/Plates.htm |date=2012-09-17 }}" ''Strangite.org''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=February 2024}}

Strang also claimed to have translated a portion of the "[[Plates of Laban]]" described in the [[Book of Mormon]].<ref>I Nephi 3:1 – 5:22 (Book of Mormon).</ref>{{Citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=The Book of Mormon, produced before Strang's plates of Laban, are not a source for Strang having produced a text he said was translated from the plates of Laban; they only note that the plates of Laban are a concept in Mormonism.}} This translation was published in 1851 as the [[Book of the Law of the Lord]], said to be selected from the original Law given to Moses and mentioned in {{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|34:14–15}}.<ref>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/book_of_the_law.htm Book of the Law] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013071439/http://mormonbeliefs.com/book_of_the_law.htm |date=2007-10-13 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Appears to have been someone's personal website. No apparent institutional background or editorial oversight.|date=February 2024}} Republished in 1856, expanded with inspired notes and commentary, this book served as the constitution for Strang's spiritual kingdom on Beaver Island, and is still accepted as scripture by Strangites. One distinctive feature (besides its overtly monarchial tone) is its restoration of a "missing" commandment to the [[Ten Commandments|Decalogue]]: ''"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."'' Strang insisted that versions of the Decalogue found in Bibles used by other churches—including other Latter Day Saint churches—contain only ''nine'' commandments, not ten.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 38–46.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}}

[[File:JosephSmith3.jpg|left|frame|[[Joseph Smith III]] — Son of [[Joseph Smith]]. Rejected Strang; led the [[Community of Christ|"Reorganized"]] church 1860–1914.]]

Strang received several other revelations, which while never formally added to his church's [[Doctrine and Covenants]], are nevertheless accepted as scripture by his followers.<ref>http://www.strangite.org/Reveal.htm. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518140713/https://churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints.org/Reveal.htm |date=2024-05-18 }}</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=February 2024}} These concerned, among other things, Baptism for the Dead, the building of a temple in Voree, the standing of Sidney Rigdon, and an invitation for [[Joseph Smith III]], eldest son of Joseph Smith, to take a position as [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|Counselor]] in Strang's [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|First Presidency]]. "Young Joseph" never accepted this calling and refused to have anything to do with Strang's organization. Strang also authored ''The Diamond'', an attack on the claims of Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young, and ''The Prophetic Controversy'', ostensibly for Mrs. Martha Coray, co-author with Lucy Mack Smith of ''[[The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother]]''. Coray, a partisan of Brigham Young's, had challenged "the vain usurper" to provide convincing evidence of his claims,<ref>Strang 1854b, p. 1.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}} and Strang obliged in this open letter addressed to her. Coray's reaction has not been preserved.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

===Distinctive dogmas===
{{Primary sources|section|date=February 2024}}
Some of Strang's teachings differed substantially from those of other Latter Day Saint leaders, including Joseph Smith. For instance, Strang rejected the traditional Christian doctrines of the [[Trinity]] and the [[Virgin birth of Jesus|Virgin Birth]] of [[Jesus Christ]], together with the Mormon doctrine of the "[[plurality of gods]]." A [[Monotheism|monotheist]], he insisted that there was only one eternal God in all the universe, [[God the Father|Father]], and that "[[Exaltation (Latter Day Saints)|progression to godhood]]" (a doctrine allegedly taught by Joseph Smith toward the end of his life) was impossible. God had always been God, said Strang, and He was only one Person, not three persons, according to the doctrine of the traditional Christian [[Trinity]].<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 47–63.</ref> Jesus Christ was presented as the natural-born son of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and [[Saint Joseph|Joseph]], who was chosen from before all time to be the Savior of mankind but he had to be born as an ordinary mortal from two human parents (rather than being the offspring of either the Father or the [[Holy Spirit]]) in order to fulfill his Messianic role.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 157–58, note 9.</ref> In essence, Strang claimed that the earthly Christ was "adopted" as God's son at birth, and he was fully revealed to be such during the [[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration]].<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 165–66.</ref> After proving himself to God by living a perfectly sinless life, he was enabled to provide an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of men, prior to his [[Resurrection appearances of Jesus|resurrection]] and [[Ascension of Jesus Christ|ascension]].<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 155–58.</ref>

Furthermore, Strang denied the belief that God could do ''all'' things, and he insisted that some things were as impossible for Him as for us.<ref>Strang 1856, p. 150.</ref> Thus, he saw no essential conflict between [[science]] and [[religion]], and while he never openly championed [[Introduction to evolution|evolution]], he did state that God's ability to use His power was limited by the [[matter]] which He was working with and it was also limited by the eons of time which were required to "organize" and shape it.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 150–51.</ref> Strang spoke glowingly about a future generation of people who would "make religion a science," to be "studied by as exact rules as mathematicks." "The mouth of the Seer will be opened," he prophesied, "and the whole earth enlightened."<ref>Strang 1856, p. 85.  Spelling of "mathematicks" as in original.</ref>

Musing at length on the nature of [[sin]] and [[evil]], Strang wrote that of all of the things that God could give to man, He could never give him ''experience''.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 152–53.</ref> Thus, if "[[Agency (LDS Church)|free agency]]" was real, said Strang, humanity must be given the opportunity to fail and learn from its own mistakes. The ultimate goal for each human being was to willingly conform oneself to the "revealed character" of God in every respect, preferring to do [[good]] rather than preferring to do [[evil]] not out of fear of punishment and not out of any desire for rewards, but preferring to do good solely "on account of the innate loveliness of undefiled goodness; of pure unalloyed holiness."<ref>Strang 1856, p. 155.</ref>

===Practices===
{{Primary sources|section|date=February 2024}}
Strang strongly believed in the sanctity of the [[Sabbath in Seventh-day Adventism|seventh-day Sabbath]], and he enjoined it in lieu of Sunday;<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 22–23.</ref> the Strangite church continues to observe this tradition. He advocated [[baptism for the dead]], and practiced it to a limited extent in Voree as well as on Beaver Island. He also introduced [[animal sacrifice]]–not as [[atonement]] for [[sin]], but as a part of Strangite celebration rituals.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 106–09, 293–95.</ref> Animal sacrifices and baptisms for the dead are not currently practiced by the Strangite organization, but belief in each is still required by it. Strang attempted to construct a [[Temple (Latter Day Saints)|temple]] in Voree, but he was prevented from completing its construction due to the poverty and lack of cooperation which existed among his followers.<ref>"[http://www.strangite.org/Temples.htm Temple Locations]". ''Strangite.org''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> No "[[Endowment (Latter Day Saints)|endowment]]" rituals which are comparable to those in the Utah LDS and the [[Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)|Cutlerite]] churches appear to have existed among his followers.<ref name=Women-Marriage>"[http://www.strangite.org/Women.htm Women/Marriage] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130113123803/http://www.strangite.org/Women.htm |date=2013-01-13 }}". ''Strangite.org''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> [[Celestial marriage|Eternal marriage]] formed a part of Strang's teaching, but he did not require it to be performed in a temple (as is the case in the LDS church). Thus, such marriages are still contracted in Strang's church in the absence of any Strangite temple or any "endowment" ceremony. Alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea were all prohibited, just as they were in many other Latter Day Saint denominations. Polygamy is no longer practiced by Strang's followers, but belief in its correctness is still affirmed by them.<ref name=Women-Marriage/>

Strang allowed women to hold the Priesthood offices of [[Priest (Latter Day Saints)|Priest]] and [[Teacher (Latter Day Saints)|Teacher]], unique among all Latter Day Saint factions during his lifetime.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 198–200, 227.</ref> He welcomed [[African Americans]] into his church, and he ordained at least two of them to its eldership.<ref>"[https://archive.today/20130113090240/http://www.strangite.org/African.htm African-Americans]". ''Strangite.org''. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.</ref> Strang also mandated [[Conservation movement|the conservation]] of land and resources, requiring the building of parks and the retention of large forests in his kingdom.<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 286–87.</ref> He wrote an eloquent refutation of the "[[Solomon Spalding]] theory" of the Book of Mormon's authorship,<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 251–68.</ref> and defended the ministry and teachings of Joseph Smith.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

==Coronation and troubled reign on Beaver Island==
Strang claimed that he was required to occupy the office of [[monarch|king]] as it is described in the [[Book of the Law of the Lord]].<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 168–80.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}} He insisted that this authority was incumbent upon all holders of the prophetic office from the beginning of time,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.centerplace.org/history/ch/v3ch02.htm|title=Church History Volume 3, Chapter 2|website=www.centerplace.org}}</ref> in similar fashion to Smith, who was secretly crowned as "king" of the [[Council of Fifty|Kingdom of God]]<ref>{{Citation | last=Bushman | first=Richard Lyman | author-link=Richard Bushman | title=Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling | year=2005 | place=New York | publisher=[[Alfred A. Knopf|Knopf]] | isbn=1-4000-4270-4| title-link=Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling }}</ref> before his murder.<ref name="Strang, the King"/>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Appears to have been someone's personal website. No apparent institutional background or editorial oversight.|date=February 2024}} Strang was accordingly crowned in 1850 by his counselor and Prime Minister, [[George J. Adams]]. About 300 people witnessed his [[coronation]], for which he wore a bright red flannel robe which was topped by a white collar with black speckles. His [[Crown (headgear)|crown]] was made of tin, rather than gold, and it is described in one account as being "a shiny metal ring with a cluster of glass stars in the front."<ref name=Weeks/> Strang also sported a [[breastplate]] and carried a wooden [[scepter]].<ref>This sceptre is preserved in the Archives vault of the [[Community of Christ]] church in Independence, Missouri.  See [http://bycommonconsent.com/2011/04/21/cemetourism-alpheus-cutler-1784%e2%80%931864/ Cemetourism: Alpheus Cutler], in the paragraph about Alpheus Cutler's sword, which mentions Strang's sceptre as being kept with it in the CofC vault.</ref> His reign lasted six years, and the date of his coronation, July 8, is still mandated as one of the two most important dates in the Strangite church year (the other being April 6, the anniversary of the founding of Joseph Smith's church).<ref>Strang 1856, p. 293.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}}

[[File:Iron-Ore-Bay-Beaver-Island.jpg|thumb|right|A view of Iron Ore Bay on the southern end of [[Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)|Beaver Island]].]]

Strang never claimed to be the king of Beaver Island itself, nor did he claim to be the king of any other geographical entity. Instead, he claimed to be king of his church, which he considered the true "[[Kingdom of God]]" which was prophesied in Scripture and destined to spread itself over all the earth.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 199.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} Nor did Strang ever say that his "kingdom" supplanted United States sovereignty over Beaver Island. However, since his sect was the main religious body on the isle, claiming the allegiance of most of its inhabitants, Strang often asserted his authority on Beaver, even over non-Strangites—a practice which ultimately caused him and his followers a great deal of grief. Furthermore, he and many of his disciples were accused of forcibly appropriating property and revenue on the island, a practice which earned him few friends among the non-Mormon "[[gentile]]s."{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

On the other hand, Strang and his people lived in apprehension of what their non-member neighbors might do next. Some Strangites were beaten up while they were going to the post office in order to collect their mail,<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 86.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} and some of their homes were robbed and even seized by "gentiles" while Strangite men were away.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 96.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} On July 4, 1850, a drunken mob of fishermen vowed to kill the "Mormons" or drive them out, only to be awed into submission when Strang fired a cannon (which he had secretly acquired) at them.<ref>Strang 1854a, pp. 25–26.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}} Competition for business and jobs added to tensions on the island, as did the increasing Strangite monopoly on local government, made sure after Beaver and adjacent islands were first attached to [[Emmet County, Michigan|Emmet County]] in 1853, then later organized into their own insular county of [[Manitou County, Michigan|Manitou]] in 1855.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

As a result of his coronation, along with lurid tales which were being spread by George Adams (who had been excommunicated by Strang a few months after the ceremony), Strang was accused of [[treason]], [[counterfeiting]], [[trespass]]ing on government land, and [[theft]], along with other crimes. He was brought to trial in [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], after President [[Millard Fillmore]] ordered US District Attorney George Bates to investigate the rumors about Strang and his colony.<ref name=Weeks/> Strang's successful trial defense brought him considerable favorable press, which he used as leverage when he ran for, and won, a seat on the Michigan state legislature as a Democrat in 1853. Facing a determined effort to deny him this seat due to the hostility of his enemies, he was permitted to address the legislature in his defense, after which the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] voted twice (first unanimously, then a second time by a 49–11 margin) to allow "King Strang" to join them.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 101.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}

In the 1853 legislative session, Strang introduced ten bills, five of which passed.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 100.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} The ''Detroit Advertiser'', on February 10, 1853, wrote of Strang: "Mr. Strang's course as a member of the present Legislature, has disarmed much of the prejudices which have previously surrounded him. Whatever may be said or thought of the peculiar sect of which he is the local head, I take pleasure in stating that throughout this session he has conducted himself with the degree of decorum and propriety which have been equaled by his industry, sagacity, good temper, apparent regard for the true interests of the people, and the obligations of his official oath."<ref>(February 10, 1853). ''Detroit Advertiser''. Excerpt in "[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,_The_Man.htm Mormon Persecution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010113135/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,_The_Man.htm |date=2007-10-10 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> He was reelected in 1855, and did much to organize the upper portion of [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|Michigan's lower peninsula]] into [[County (United States)|counties]] and [[townships]]. Strang ardently fought the illegal practice of trading liquor to local Native American tribes due to the common practice of selling them diluted liquor mixed with various contaminants at a high price.<ref>Strang 1854a, pp. 15–17</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}}<ref>Fitzpatrick, pp. 47–48.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} This made him many enemies among those non-Strangite residents of Beaver and nearby [[Mackinac Island]] who profited mightily from this illicit trade.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

==Assassination==
{{Primary sources|section|date=February 2024}}
As with Joseph Smith before him, James Strang had problems with excommunicated or disaffected members who often became anti-Mormons and/or even conspired against him. One of the latter, Thomas Bedford, who had been flogged for engaging in [[adultery]] with another member's wife, blamed Strang for the flogging and sought revenge.<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 110.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} Another, Hezekiah D. McCulloch, had been excommunicated for drunkenness and other alleged misdeeds, after previously enjoying Strang's favor and several high offices in local government. These men conspired against Strang along with the Mormons' enemies who were living in Mackinac, two of whom were Alexander Wentworth and Dr. J. Atkyn. Pistols were procured, and the four conspirators began several days of target practice while they finalized the details of their murderous plan.<ref>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm Apostle Post on James' Death] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021190040/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang%2C%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm |date=2013-10-21 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>

Although Strang apparently knew that Bedford and the others were gunning for him, he openly challenged them in his newspaper, The Northern Islander, writing, "We laugh with bitter scorn at all these threats," just days before his murder.<ref name=Weeks/> Strang refused to employ a bodyguard or carry a firearm or any other type of weapon.<ref>(August 14, 1851). ''Northern Islander'' as quoted in Fitzpatrick, p. 97.</ref>

[[File:USS Wolverine (IX-31).jpg|left|thumb|The {{USS|Michigan|1843|6}} later in her career.]]
On Monday, June 16, 1856, Strang was waylaid around 7:00 PM on the dock at the harbor of [[St. James Township, Michigan|St. James]], the chief city on Beaver Island, by Wentworth and Bedford, who shot him in the back.

Strang was hit three times: one bullet grazed his head, another bullet lodged in his cheek and a third bullet lodged in his spine, paralyzing him from the waist down.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Noord|first=Roger Van|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SVgAtoZTJOEC|title=Assassination of a Michigan King: The Life of James Jesse Strang|date=1997|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=978-0-472-08454-8|language=en}}</ref> One of the assassins then pistol-whipped the victim before running aboard the nearby vessel with his companion, where both claimed sanctuary.<ref name=Murderous>(Friday, June 20, 1856). ''Daily Northern Islander''. Excerpt in "[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm#Murderous%20Assault Murderous Assault] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021190040/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang%2C%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm |date=2013-10-21 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> Some accused Captain McBlair of the ''Michigan'' of being complicit in, or at least of having foreknowledge of, the assassination plot, though no hard evidence to support their accusation was ever forthcoming.<ref>Fitzpatrick, pp. 113, 211.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}<ref>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm#%A0Apostle%20Chidester%20Announces%20James%92%20Death Apostle Chidester Announces James’ Death] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021190040/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang%2C%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm |date=2013-10-21 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Appears to have been someone's personal website. No apparent institutional background or editorial oversight.|date=February 2024}} The "King of Beaver Island" was taken to Voree, where he lived for three weeks, dying on July 9, 1856, at the age of 43.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Turner|first=John G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGgSuTW-dgIC&q=james+strang|title=Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet|date=2012-09-25|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-06731-8|pages=116–117|language=en}}</ref> After refusing to deliver Bedford and Wentworth to the local [[Sheriff]] of Mackinac County,<ref>''Northern Islander'', June 20, 1856.</ref> Julius Granger, McBlair transported them to Mackinac Island. Once on the island Sheriff Granger first held them in an unlocked jail cell at the ‘urging’ of the citizenry and then moved to a boarding house he was keeping, Grove House. Three days later they were given a ‘mock trial’ where the justice charged them $1.25 a piece for court costs, then released them where they were feted by the local citizenry.<ref name=Weeks/><ref>(2002-10-10). "[http://www.beaverbeacon.com/2002-10-October/The_Man_who_shot_Strang.html The Man who shot Strang.]" ''BeaverBeacon.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref> None of those involved received punishment for their alleged crimes Dr. Hezekiah D. McCulloch and Dr. J. Atkyn, with Thomas Bedford living until 1889 and Alexander Wentworth living until 1863.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
{{Clear}}

==Death of a kingdom==
While Strang lingered on his deathbed in Voree, his enemies in Michigan were determined to extinguish his Beaver Island kingdom. On July 5, 1856, on what Michigan historian [[Byron M. Cutcheon]] later called "the most disgraceful day in Michigan's history,"<ref name=Weeks/> a group of non-Mormons from Mackinac and elsewhere forcibly evicted every Strangite from Beaver Island. Strang's subjects on the island—approximately 2,600 persons<ref name=Weeks/>—were herded onto hastily commandeered steamers, most after being robbed of their money and other personal possessions, and unceremoniously dumped onto docks along the shores of Lake Michigan. A few of them moved back to Voree, while the rest scattered across the country.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Strang refused to appoint a successor, telling his apostles to take care of their families as best they could, and await divine instruction.<ref>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/strang,_the_king.htm Kingdom with a Dominion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925012739/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/strang,_the_king.htm |date=2007-09-25 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Appears to have been someone's personal website. No apparent institutional background or editorial oversight.|date=February 2024}} While his supporters endeavored to keep his church alive, Strang's unique dogma which required his successor to be ordained by angels<ref>Strang 1856, pp. 163–66.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=This is citing Strang's own personal writing.}} made his church unappealing to Latter Day Saints who were expecting to be led by a prophet. Lorenzo Dow Hickey, the last of Strang's apostles, emerged as an ad-hoc leader until his death in 1897, followed by [[Wingfield W. Watson]], a [[High Priest (Latter Day Saints)|High Priest]] in Strang's organization (until he died in 1922). However, neither of these men ever claimed Strang's office or authority.{{efn|No apostles currently remain in Strang's organization, because all Strangite apostles must be appointed by revelation. The highest current office in Strang's church is that of High Priest (in the "incorporated" faction) or that of Elder (in the other).}}

Left without a prophet to guide them, most of Strang's followers (including all of his wives)<ref>Fitzpatrick, p. 125.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the 1971 volume of the journal ''Dialogue'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}} departed from his church in the years after his murder. Most of them later joined the [[Community of Christ|Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]], which was established in 1860.{{efn|This organization is now called the [[Community of Christ]]. It remains the second-largest church in the Latter Day Saint movement.}} However, a few Latter Day Saints continue to carry on Strang's mission. Strang's last and most important revelation, The Book of the Law of the Lord<ref>The first edition of this book was published in 1850, without notes. A second edition, with numerous notes and other material, was still unbound and on the press at the time of his assassination.</ref> states that a prophet president is "...only necessary for the establishment of the rest of God, and bringing everlasting righteousness on earth. A lesser degree of the Priesthood has frequently stood at the head of the people of God on earth" (p.&nbsp;251). Consequently, instead of believing that Strang's demise and his refusal to appoint a successor are failures, they believe that they are maintaining the pure faith and awaiting the appearance of a new successor who will take the place of their fallen founders. They believe that their position is bolstered by revelations which were given by Smith and Strang in which they stated that the condemnation of the church is prophetic and a sign of general apostasy.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Today, there are several groups and individual Strangite disciples who operate autonomously. One of these groups is a corporate church which is led by a Presiding High Priest, Bill Shepard, who claims that he does not have Joseph Smith or James Strang's authority or priesthood office{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}. Another group, which is led by Samuel West, claims that the first faction is in error, and it also claims that by incorporating in 1961, it lost its identity as a faithful continuation of Strang's organization. This second group claims that ''it'' is the sole true remnant of James Strang's church.{{efn|The corporate church has a website: http://www.ldsstrangite.com/; "unincorporated" Strangites have three websites: http://www.strangite.org and http://mormonbeliefs.com and http://www.strangite.blogspot.com.}}<ref>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Church%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20of%20Latter%20Day%20Saints%20(Strangite).htm#The%201961%20Strangite%20Split The 1961 Strangite Split] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925013040/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Church%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20of%20Latter%20Day%20Saints%20(Strangite).htm#The%201961%20Strangite%20Split |date=2007-09-25 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''.</ref> Missionary work is no longer emphasized by Strangites (as it is by the LDS and many other Latter Day Saint sects), because they tend to believe that after the murder of three prophets (Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and James Strang) God closed His [[dispensation (period)|dispensation]] to the "gentiles" of the West.<ref>"[http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Mormonism%20Today.htm#time%20of%20the%20Gentiles%20ended Mormonism: time of the Gentiles ended] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925013022/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Mormonism%20Today.htm#time%20of%20the%20Gentiles%20ended |date=2007-09-25 }}". ''MormonBeliefs.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Appears to have been someone's personal website. No apparent institutional background or editorial oversight.|date=February 2024}} Consequently, Strang's church has continued to dwindle until the present day. The current membership of the corporate church comprises around 300 persons, while the Samuel West group claims to have several thousand members in the US and Africa.<ref>"{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040504200058/http://adherents.com/Na/Na_191.html 43,941 adherent statistic citations: membership and geography data for 4,300+ religions, churches, tribes, etc.]}}" ''Adherents.com''. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.</ref>

While proving to be a key player in the 1844 succession struggle, Strang's long-term influence on the Latter Day Saint movement was minimal. His doctrinal innovations had little impact outside his church, and he was largely ignored until recent historians began to reexamine his life and career. Even the county (Manitou) which he had fought to establish was abolished by the Michigan legislature in 1895, removing the last tangible remnant of Strang's temporal empire.<ref>[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty&cc=micounty&idno=bac9250.0001.001&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=138 History of Northern Michigan], pg. 100.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable per [[WP:OLDSOURCES]]; this book was published in 1912, and there are more up to date histories of Strang and the Strangites.|date=February 2024}} Of all of his efforts, Strang's most vital (albeit unintended) one was his contribution to the Latter Day Saint religion which turned out to provide some of the impetus behind the creation of the Reorganized Church, which became a major rival of the Utah-based [[LDS Church]] and other Latter Day Saint groups—including his own.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

== Selected works ==

* Strang, Mark, ed. (1961). ''The Diary of James J. Strang: Deciphered, Transcribed, Introduced, and Annotated''. East Lansing: [[Michigan State University Press]].
* Strang, James J. (1854a, Reprinted 2005). ''[http://name.umdl.umich.edu/AFK0709 Ancient and modern Michilimackinac, including an account of the controversy between Mackinac and the Mormons]''. Reprint by the [[University of Michigan Library]]. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
* Strang, James J. (1848). ''[[iarchive:diamondbeinglawo00stra|The Diamond: Being the Law of Prophetic Succession and a Defense of the Calling of James J. Strang as Successor to Joseph Smith]]''. Voree, Wisconsin. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
* Strang, James J. (1854b). ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20100729041727/http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/prophetic_controversyA.htm The Prophetic Controversy: A Letter from James Strang to Mrs. Corey]''. St. James, Michigan. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
* Strang, James J. (1856). ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20071013071439/http://mormonbeliefs.com/book_of_the_law.htm Book of the Law of the Lord, Being a Translation From the Egyptian of the Law Given to Moses in Sinai]''. St. James: Royal Press. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.

==See also==
* [[List of homicides in Michigan]]
* [[List of assassinated American politicians]]
* [[Emperor Norton]]

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==Citations==
{{Reflist|2}}

==References==
*Fitzpatrick, Doyle C. (1970). ''The King Strang Story: A Vindication of James J, Strang, the Beaver Island Mormon King''. National Heritage. {{ISBN|0-685-57226-9}}.{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]), per Klaus J. Hansen's review in the journal ''Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought'' (DOI:10.2307/45227513) which says, "the book is so bad that my first reaction was that any kind of review, even a critical one, would give it a dignity that it didn't deserve".|date=February 2024}}
*{{Cite thesis |last=Jensen |first=Robin Scott |title=Gleaning the Harvest: Strangite Missionary Work, 1846–1850 |date=2005 |degree=MA |publisher=Brigham Young University |url=http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/591/}}
*{{cite journal |last= Norton |first= William |year= 2003 |title= Competing Identities and Contested Places: Mormons in Nauvoo and Voree |journal= Journal of Cultural Geography |volume= 21 |issue= 1 |pages= 95–119 |doi= 10.1080/08873630309478268 |s2cid= 144847696 }}
*{{Cite book |last=Quinn |first=D. Michael |title=The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power |publisher=Signature Books |year=1994 |isbn=1-56085-056-6}}
*{{Cite book |last=Speek |first=Vickie Cleverly |title=God Has Made Us a Kingdom: James Strang and the Midwest Mormons |publisher=Signature Books |year=2006 |isbn=1-56085-192-9}}

== Further references ==

* {{Cite journal |last=Beshears |first=Kyle |date=Spring–Summer 2023 |title='In Love and Union': The Writings of Mr. Charles J. Douglass, Secret Plural Wife of a Mormon King |journal=John Whitmer Historical Association |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=41–54}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Blythe |first=Christopher James |date=June 2014 |title=The Coronation of James J. Strang and the Making of Beaver Island Mormonism |journal=Communal Societies: Journal of the Communal Studies Association |volume=34 |issue=1 |via=Gale Academic OneFile}}
* {{Cite journal |last=DeRogatis |first=Amy |date=Spring–Summer 2023 |title=Intimate Exposure: The Charley Douglass Daguerreotype and American Religious History |journal=John Whitmer Historical Association Journal |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=20–40}}
* {{Cite book |last=Faber |first=Don |title=James Jesse Strang: The Rise and Fall of Michigan's Mormon King |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780472052899 |doi=10.3998/mpub.6963838}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Foster |first=Lawrence |date=June 1981 |title=James J. Strang: The Prophet Who Failed |journal=Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=182–192 |doi=10.2307/3166882|jstor=3166882 |s2cid=162192346 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Harvey |first=Miles |title=The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |year=2020 |isbn=978-0316463591}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jensen |first=Robin Scott |title=Scattering of the Saints: Schism Within Mormonism |publisher=John Whitmer Books |year=2007 |isbn=9781934901021 |editor-last=Bringhurst |editor-first=Newell G. |chapter=Mormons Seeking Mormonism: Strangite Success and the Conceptualization of Mormon Ideology, 1844–50 |editor-last2=Hamer |editor-first2=John C.}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Quist |first=John |date=1989 |title=Polygamy Among James Strang and His Followers |journal=John Whitmer Historical Association Journal |volume=9 |pages=31–48 |jstor=43200832}}
* Silitto, John and Staker, Susan (eds.). (2002). ''Mormon Mavericks: Essays on Dissenters''. [[Signature Books]]. {{ISBN|1-56085-154-6}}.
* {{Cite book |last=van Noord |first=Roger |title=King of Beaver Island: The Life and Assassination of James Jesse Strang |publisher=University of Illinois Press |year=1988 |isbn=0-252-01472-3}}
* {{Cite book |last=van Noord |first=Roger |title=Assassination of a Michigan King: The Life of James Jesse Strang |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=1997 |isbn=9780472084548}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[http://clarke.cmich.edu/collections/strangitemormons.htm Clarke Historical Library: Strangite Mormons] – Brief biography from [[Central Michigan University]], which has a collection of letters and diaries written by Strang and his followers.
*[http://archives.lib.byu.edu/repositories/14/resources/3532 A True History of the Rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of the Restoration of the Holy Priesthood and the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records]; MSS SC 756; 20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts; L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
*[[hdl:10079/fa/beinecke.strang|James Jesse Strang Papers]]. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

{{S-start}}
{{s-rel}}
{{S-bef | before = [[Joseph Smith]]}}
{{S-ttl | title   =President of the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] (Strangite)  | years = June 1844 &nbsp;– July 9, 1856}}
{{S-non | reason = No successor to date}}
{{s-off|}}
{{S-bef| before = }}
{{s-ttl| title  = Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | years = 1853 &nbsp;– July 9, 1856}}
{{s-aft| after  = }}
{{S-end}}
{{Latter Day Saint movement}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Strang, James}}
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