“My mind has always been filled with dreams of royalty and power.” — James Strang¹

James Jesse Strang joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois, in February 1844.² Shortly after Joseph Smith was killed, Strang claimed that Joseph had appointed him as his successor through a letter dated June 18, 1844.² This letter, known as the “Letter of Appointment,” appears to be a forgery.^3,4 Strang sought authority and power, writing in 1832 that he had sworn "to rival Caesar or Napoleon.”⁵ After being excommunicated in August 1844, Strang founded the Strangite movement and took his followers to Voree, Wisconsin.² Later, he moved his followers to Beaver Island, Michigan, where he was crowned king.⁶ Strang claimed to have translated ancient records, including the "Voree Plates" and the "Book of the Law of the Lord."^6,7 He also served in the Wisconsin state legislature.⁸ In 1856, Strang was assassinated by some of his disaffected followers at Beaver Island.²

1. Diary of James J. Strang, May 27, 1832, image 7, archives.yale.edu

2. “Strang, James Jesse,” josephsmithpapers.org

3. Roger Van Noord, King of Beaver Island: The Life and Assassination of James Jesse Strang, 7-9, archive.org

4. John Whitmer, History, 1831–circa 1847, 94, footnote 289, josephsmithpapers.org

5. Diary of James J. Strang, March 21, 1832, image 6, archives.yale.edu

6. David Rich Lewis, “‘For Life, the Resurrection, and the Life Everlasting’: James J. Strang and Strangite Mormon Polygamy, 1849-1856,” The Wisconsin Magazine of History, jstor.org, 275-277

7. "Testimony of Four Witnesses," Gospel Herald, bhroberts.org

8. James J. Strang, Legislator Details, mdoe.state.mi.us