“Who on earth then possesses an indisputable ‘appointment’ and ‘ordination’ in the form that fills the Letter of the word of God, on this all important point, to a minutia? Ans[wer]. JAMES J. STRANG, and no other man. — John E. Page¹

After Joseph Smith’s death, James J. Strang claimed to be his successor as leader of the church, citing a letter allegedly written by Joseph that appointed him.^2,3 Strang led his followers to Voree, Wisconsin, where he established his own church.² He eventually moved the church to Beaver Island, Michigan, where he crowned himself “king” and built a following of over 2,500 adherents.⁴ Strang also served in the Michigan House of Representatives until his assassination in 1856.^4,5

1. Prophetic Controversy, No. 2, catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org

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

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 45, 567

4. 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, 276-277

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