Book of the Law of the Lord
Encyclopedia
The Book of the Law of the Lord is a book accepted as scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
. It is alleged to be a translation by the Strangite prophet James Strang
of the Plates of Laban
, originally acquired by Nephi
, a leading character in the early portion of The Book of Mormon. Strang claimed to have translated them using the Urim and Thummim
, which was used by Joseph Smith to translate The Book of Mormon.
However, the Book of the Law of the Lord bears little resemblance to the material described in The Book of Mormon as being engraved on the Plates of Laban. Rather, Strang's book comprises a rather elaborate constitution for a Mormon kingdom, in which the Prophet-leader of the Latter Day Saint church equally rules as king
over God's kingdom on earth. It also contains various other revelations and teachings unique to Strang.
.jpg)
James J. Strang was a lawyer and newspaper editor from New York who converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1844. Shortly after his baptism, Joseph Smith, Jr., founding prophet of the church, was murdered by an anti-Mormon mob. Upon Smith's murder, a number of individuals came forward claiming a divine mandate to lead his church, including Strang. As a recent convert, Strang did not possess the name recognition among rank-and-file Mormons held by Brigham Young
and Sidney Rigdon
(two other contenders for LDS leadership). Hence, he faced an "uphill" battle in his quest to be recognized as the heir to Smith's prophetic mantle.
To advance his cause, Strang asserted that unlike Rigdon and Young, he had hard evidence of his prophetic calling. In September 1845, he announced the discovery of the Voree Record
, the final testament of an ancient Native American engraved on three brass plates dug up near Voree
, Wisconsin
, his headquarters at the time. However, Strang's claims to possession of divinely-revealed ancient records, and the ability to correctly translate them, did not end there. In 1851, he proclaimed the publication of the Book of the Law of the Lord, a far more substantial work.
book of the same title) was "kept in the ark of the covenant, and was held too sacred to go into the hands of strangers." However, "when the Septuagint translation was made, the Book of the Law was kept back, and...lost to the Jewish
nation in the time that they were subject to foreign powers." Thus, "the various books in the Pentateuch, containing abstracts of some of the laws, have been read instead of it, until even the existence of the book has come to be a matter of doubt."
Strangites believe that their Book of the Law is identical to the one mentioned in the Bible
. They also identify the Book of the Law with the "Stick of Judah" mentioned in Ezekiel 37:19 This is in marked contrast to other Latter Day Saint sects, which generally view the "Stick of Judah" as the Bible.
The LDS and Community of Christ
churches, the two largest factions of the Latter Day Saint movement, each reject James Strang's claims to prophetic leadership and his Book of the Law of the Lord.
surfaces were "occasionally embellished with beautiful pictures," and all appeared to be of "beautiful antique workmanship, bearing a striking resemblance to the ancient oriental languages."
The witnesses' names were: Samuel Graham, Samuel P. Bacon, Warren Post, Phineas Wright, Albert N. Hosmer, Ebenezer Page and Jehiel Savage. Wright and Post served as Apostles under Strang. Warren Post wrote in his journal that the plates weighed approximately six pounds. Although some of these witnesses later left Strang's church, none of them is known to have ever denied their testimony as given in the Book of the Law.
The subsequent history of Strang's "Plates of Laban," and their current whereabouts, is a mystery.
In contrast, the edition of 1856 comprised 320 pages, including all of the text in the 1851 edition, plus ten new chapters and a series of notes added by Strang to explain the text. The 1856 edition is the one generally used by Strangites today. It was never bound with a title page or preface; subsequent reprints have used the title page, testimony and preface from the 1851 edition. In fact, the 1856 edition was not bound at all until after Strang's death, as he was assassinated before this was completed. Its uncut sheets had to be rescued from an anti-Mormon mob by Strang's disciples.
Both editions of the Book of the Law are dated according to the year of James Strang's reign: the 1851 edition is annotated "A. R. I," while the 1856 edition carries the date "A. R. VI."
, which his book refers to as "The Priesthood of an endless life," and the Aaronic Priesthood, referred to as "the Priesthood of life."
In the Melchizedek Priesthood, Strang enumerates two "orders," that of "Apostles," and that of "Priests."
"Apostles" are subdivided into four "degrees:"
"Priests" are subdivided into two "degrees:"
In the Aaronic Priesthood, Strang enumerates three "orders:"
In addition, a "King's Council" and a "King's Court" were established. While no direct link is made between the King's Court and the "High Council" established in the Doctrine and Covenants, certain parallels exist, such as requiring all members to hold the High Priesthood, and limiting their number to twelve.
Although Strang briefly enjoyed the services of Apostle William Smith as "Chief Patriarch" of his church, he makes no mention of this office anywhere in his book.
" allegedly given to Moses on Sinai. Strang's rendering is different from any other Jewish, Catholic
, Islamic or Protestant version, for it offers a commandment none of the others has: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." In his "Note on the Decalogue," Strang asserted that no other version of the Decalogue contains more than nine commandments. He equally speculates that his fourth commandment was lost perhaps as early as Josephus
' time (circa 37-100 A.D./C.E.).
by 1856.
In contrast, the Community of Christ church opened its ministry to females in 1984, while the LDS Church does not ordain women to priesthood offices.
was instituted in the Book of the Law, both for forgiveness of sins and as a part of Strangite celebration rituals. However, given the prohibition on sacrifices for sin contained in III Nephi 9:19-20, Strang did not require sin offerings. Rather, he focused on sacrifice as an element of religious celebration, especially the commemoration of his own coronation
as king (July 8, 1850). The head of every house, from the king to his lowest subject, was to offer "a heifer, or a lamb, or a dove. Every man a clean beast, or a clean fowl, according to his household."
The killing of sacrifices was a prerogative of Strangite Priests, but female Priests were specifically barred from participating in this aspect of the Priestly office.
"Firstfruits" offerings were also demanded of all Strangite agricultural harvests. Animal sacrifices are no longer practiced by the Strangites, though belief in their correctness is still required.
of Jesus Christ and the Mormon doctrine of plurality of gods
. He insisted that there was but one eternal God
, the Father
, and that progression to godhood (a doctrine allegedly taught by Joseph Smith) was impossible. God had always been God, said Strang, and He was one Person (not three, as in the traditional Christian Trinity
).
Jesus Christ, said Strang, was the natural-born son of Mary
and Joseph
, who was chosen from before all time to be the Savior of mankind, but who had to be born as an ordinary mortal of two human parents (rather than being begotten by the Father or the Holy Spirit
) to be able to truly fulfill his Messianic role. Strang claimed that the earthly Christ was in essence "adopted" as God's son at birth, and fully revealed as such during the Transfiguration
. 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
and ascension.
Furthermore, Strang denied that God could do all things, and insisted that some things were as impossible for Him as for us. Thus, he saw no essential conflict between science and religion, and while he never openly championed evolution
, he did state that God was limited in His power by both the matter
He was working with and by the eons of time required to "organize" and shape it. He spoke glowingly of a future generation who would "make religion a science," to be "studied by as exact rules as mathematicks." "The mouth of the Seer will be opened," Strang prophesied, "and the whole earth enlightened."
Musing at length on the nature of sin
and evil
, Strang wrote that of all things that God could give to man, He could never give him experience. Thus, if "free agency" were to be real, said Strang, humanity must be given the opportunity to fail and to 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 good to evil not out of any fear of punishment or desire for reward, but rather "on account of the innate loveliness of undefiled goodness; of pure unalloyed holiness."
, and commanded it in lieu of Sunday. It also accredits baptism for the dead
, but on a far more limited scale than that currently practiced by the LDS church. Baptisms for the dead are not performed by the Strangites today, although belief in the doctrine is still affirmed.
Eternal marriage
is taught in the Book of the Law, though it is not required to be performed in a temple (as in the LDS church). Strangite Priests, Elders, High Priests or Apostles (of all four degrees) may all perform this ceremony. Eternal marriages are still contracted in the Strangite church today.
Oath
s are taken very seriously in the Book of the Law, and severe spiritual penalties are forewarned upon all who break their solemn word, once given.
The Book of the Law permits not only the blessing of others, but cursing, as well. But this is not to be done in anger, nor indiscriminately; rather, it is only to be "invoked on such as, on deliberate and candid thought, are found condemned to them by the Law of God; and then the curse should be invoked as in the presence of God, the searcher of hearts; conscious that whosoever curses in the bitterness of his...corrupt heart, and not in the light of God’s truth, the curse will return upon him." "Maledictions" are also to be performed by Strangite leaders upon "hereticks, schismaticks, and those guilty of gross and abominable immoralities, and acts of great cruelty and wickedness." The Strangite practice of "Maledictions" seems comparable to the "anathema
s" pronounced in the New Testament and by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Conservation of forests and resources is mandated in the Book of the Law. Groves of trees were to be maintained upon each farm, and in each village and town. Farms and cities without trees were required to plant them, and to establish parklands so that "the aged and the young may go there to rest and to play."
Strangites are prohibited by the Book of the Law from dressing ostentatiously. Various (today mostly obsolete) styles are banned, though allowance is made for those who are "sojourning among Gentiles" to "imitate, to some moderate extent, their foolish and ridiculous styles, to avoid impertinent observations."
The Book of the Law sanctions marriage only between persons who are not impotent, deformed, of reduced stature ("a dwarf"), or mentally handicapped. The image of animal husbandry
is invoked: "The same means which will improve a breed of cattle," Strang wrote, "will improve a race of men."
is sanctioned, though not expressly commanded, in the Book of the Law. The applicable text reads: "Thou shalt not take unto thee a multitude of wives disproportioned to thy inheritance, and thy substance: nor shalt thou take wives to vex those thou hast; neither shalt thou put away one to take another." Any wife already married to the prospective polygamist was given the right to express her opinion, and even to object, but not to veto the marriage. This passage seems to offer any aggrieved wife an appeal to the "Judges," but how this was to be carried out is not made clear.
Strang's defense of polygamy was rather novel. He claimed that, far from enslaving or demeaning women, it liberated and "elevated" them by allowing them to choose the best possible mate based upon any factors deemed important to them—even if that mate were already married to someone else. Rather than being forced to wed "corrupt and degraded sires" due to the scarcity of more suitable men, a woman could wed the one she saw as the most compatible to herself, the best candidate to father her children and the man who could give her the best possible life, no matter how many other wives he might have.
The practice of plural marriage has never been officially proscribed in the Strangite church, unlike in the LDS church. Only twenty-two men entered into polygamy, and most of them only took one additional wife. Strang took four additional wives, the most of any member in his church.
Polygamy was apparently practiced by a few Strangites up to 1880 or so, to include Wingfield W. Watson
, a Strangite High Priest who knew and served under James Strang personally. However, with federal and state bans on the practice, and a divine injunction to obey "the law of the land," plural marriage has been given up in the contemporary Strangite church, though belief in its correctness is still required and affirmed.
Strangites reject Section 132 of the LDS Doctrine and Covenants, regarding it as a forgery from 1852 that was never received or approved by Joseph Smith.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement with around three hundred members as of 1998...
. It is alleged to be a translation by the Strangite prophet James Strang
James Strang
James Jesse Strang was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , a faction of the Latter Day Saint movement...
of the Plates of Laban
Laban (Book of Mormon)
Laban was the name of a person in the first part of The Book of Mormon, a scripture of the Latter Day Saint movement. Although he only makes a brief appearance in the narrative, his brass plates would play an important role amongst the Nephites, who are the book's main protagonists.-Laban:In the...
, originally acquired by Nephi
Nephi
According to the Book of Mormon, Nephi was the son of Lehi, a prophet, founder of the Nephite people, and author of the first two books of the Book of Mormon, First and Second Nephi.- Early life :Nephi was the fourth of six sons of Lehi and Sariah...
, a leading character in the early portion of The Book of Mormon. Strang claimed to have translated them using the Urim and Thummim
Urim and Thummim
In ancient Israelite religion and culture, Urim and Thummim is a phrase from the Hebrew Scriptures or Torah associated with the Hoshen , divination in general, and cleromancy in particular...
, which was used by Joseph Smith to translate The Book of Mormon.
However, the Book of the Law of the Lord bears little resemblance to the material described in The Book of Mormon as being engraved on the Plates of Laban. Rather, Strang's book comprises a rather elaborate constitution for a Mormon kingdom, in which the Prophet-leader of the Latter Day Saint church equally rules as king
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
over God's kingdom on earth. It also contains various other revelations and teachings unique to Strang.
James J. Strang
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
and Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon was a leader during the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement.-Baptist background:...
(two other contenders for LDS leadership). Hence, he faced an "uphill" battle in his quest to be recognized as the heir to Smith's prophetic mantle.
To advance his cause, Strang asserted that unlike Rigdon and Young, he had hard evidence of his prophetic calling. In September 1845, he announced the discovery of the Voree Record
Voree Plates
The Voree Plates, sometimes called The Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito, or the Voree Record, were a set of three tiny metal plates allegedly discovered by James J. Strang in 1845 in Voree, near Burlington, Wisconsin...
, the final testament of an ancient Native American engraved on three brass plates dug up near Voree
Voree, Wisconsin
Voree is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, in the town limits of Spring Prairie. It is best known as the historic and current headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , a denomination of the...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, his headquarters at the time. However, Strang's claims to possession of divinely-revealed ancient records, and the ability to correctly translate them, did not end there. In 1851, he proclaimed the publication of the Book of the Law of the Lord, a far more substantial work.
Alleged provenance of the book
Strang explained that the Book of the Law (as it is often called—not to be confused with Aleister Crowley'sAleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
book of the same title) was "kept in the ark of the covenant, and was held too sacred to go into the hands of strangers." However, "when the Septuagint translation was made, the Book of the Law was kept back, and...lost to the Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
nation in the time that they were subject to foreign powers." Thus, "the various books in the Pentateuch, containing abstracts of some of the laws, have been read instead of it, until even the existence of the book has come to be a matter of doubt."
Strangites believe that their Book of the Law is identical to the one mentioned in the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. They also identify the Book of the Law with the "Stick of Judah" mentioned in Ezekiel 37:19 This is in marked contrast to other Latter Day Saint sects, which generally view the "Stick of Judah" as the Bible.
The LDS and Community of Christ
Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
churches, the two largest factions of the Latter Day Saint movement, each reject James Strang's claims to prophetic leadership and his Book of the Law of the Lord.
Witnesses
Seven witnesses testified to having seen and handled the plates that Strang claimed to possess. They described them as being eighteen in number, each measuring approximately seven and three-eighths inches wide, by nine inches long. Their brazenBrass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
surfaces were "occasionally embellished with beautiful pictures," and all appeared to be of "beautiful antique workmanship, bearing a striking resemblance to the ancient oriental languages."
The witnesses' names were: Samuel Graham, Samuel P. Bacon, Warren Post, Phineas Wright, Albert N. Hosmer, Ebenezer Page and Jehiel Savage. Wright and Post served as Apostles under Strang. Warren Post wrote in his journal that the plates weighed approximately six pounds. Although some of these witnesses later left Strang's church, none of them is known to have ever denied their testimony as given in the Book of the Law.
The subsequent history of Strang's "Plates of Laban," and their current whereabouts, is a mystery.
Editions of 1851 and 1856
The Book of the Law of the Lord was published in two separate editions during James Strang's lifetime. The first edition of 1851 contained only eighty pages and consisted of material translated directly from the Plates of Laban, with five exceptions: three revelations given to Strang, and two sections written "by inspiration of God."In contrast, the edition of 1856 comprised 320 pages, including all of the text in the 1851 edition, plus ten new chapters and a series of notes added by Strang to explain the text. The 1856 edition is the one generally used by Strangites today. It was never bound with a title page or preface; subsequent reprints have used the title page, testimony and preface from the 1851 edition. In fact, the 1856 edition was not bound at all until after Strang's death, as he was assassinated before this was completed. Its uncut sheets had to be rescued from an anti-Mormon mob by Strang's disciples.
Both editions of the Book of the Law are dated according to the year of James Strang's reign: the 1851 edition is annotated "A. R. I," while the 1856 edition carries the date "A. R. VI."
Monarchy and priesthood
The most distinctive element of the Book of the Law is its overtly monarchial tone. Also of interest are the singular subdivisions Strang makes within the Melchizedek PriesthoodMelchizedek priesthood
The Melchizedek priesthood is the greater of the two orders of priesthood recognized in Mormonism. The others are the Aaronic priesthood and the rarely recognized Patriarchal priesthood...
, which his book refers to as "The Priesthood of an endless life," and the Aaronic Priesthood, referred to as "the Priesthood of life."
In the Melchizedek Priesthood, Strang enumerates two "orders," that of "Apostles," and that of "Priests."
"Apostles" are subdivided into four "degrees:"
- The Prophet/President of the Strangite church is openly referred to throughout the book as a "King," rather than as a "President" (as under Joseph Smith).
- His CounselorsFirst Presidency (LDS Church)The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
are designated as "Viceroys." Viceroys are referred to as "kings," too, though this does not indicate a share in the unique royal dignity accorded to the President/King. - Strang's Twelve Apostles are named as "Princes in his Kingdom forever." The leader of Strang's Apostles is designated as "Prince and Grand Master of the Seventies."
- A quorum of "Evangelists" (not to be confused with the LDS and Community of ChristCommunity of ChristThe Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
office of Patriarch) is established, to be Apostles to a single "nation, kindred, tongue or people"--unlike the Twelve, who were sent to all nations. Seven Evangelists formed a quorum, and Strang noted that such a body had never been organized "in this dispensation." This was a unique priesthood office within the Latter Day Saint movement.
"Priests" are subdivided into two "degrees:"
- High Priests were to include "all inferiour Kings, Patriarchs, or heads of tribes, and Nobles, or heads of clans." Furthermore, Strang continued, "They who hold it are called Sons of God." From this group, said the Book of the Law, the king was to select "counsellors, judges and rulers."
- The "degree" of Elders included both the offices of Seventy and Elder as generally constituted in Joseph Smith's church.
In the Aaronic Priesthood, Strang enumerates three "orders:"
- Priests are subdivided into two "courses:" "Sacrificators" and "Singers." The course of Singers was opened to women [see "Ordination of women," below]. Each temple was to have a Chief Priest, assisted by a first and second High Priest. Strangite "Sacrificators" were to kill sacrifices in accordance with appropriate provisions of the Book of the Law [see below under "Animal sacrifice"]. Female priests were specifically barred from killing sacrifices. The Doctrine and CovenantsDoctrine and CovenantsThe Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement...
functions of preaching and baptizing (but not laying of on hands) were retained, as well. - Teachers are subdivided into five "degrees:" Rabboni, Rabbi, Doctor, Ruler, and Teacher. This office, like that of Priest, was open to women [see below]. These Teachers were not merely to instruct in spiritual matters, but in secular ones as well. They were to staff schools throughout Strang's kingdom.
- Deacons were subdivided into three "degrees:" Marshals, Stewards and Ministers. They were to serve as "Stewards and keepers of the King’s prisons, and Stewards of the King’s Courts."
In addition, a "King's Council" and a "King's Court" were established. While no direct link is made between the King's Court and the "High Council" established in the Doctrine and Covenants, certain parallels exist, such as requiring all members to hold the High Priesthood, and limiting their number to twelve.
Although Strang briefly enjoyed the services of Apostle William Smith as "Chief Patriarch" of his church, he makes no mention of this office anywhere in his book.
The Decalogue
Another unique feature of the Book of the Law is its version of the Decalogue, the "Ten CommandmentsTen Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
" allegedly given to Moses on Sinai. Strang's rendering is different from any other Jewish, Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, Islamic or Protestant version, for it offers a commandment none of the others has: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." In his "Note on the Decalogue," Strang asserted that no other version of the Decalogue contains more than nine commandments. He equally speculates that his fourth commandment was lost perhaps as early as Josephus
Josephus
Titus Flavius Josephus , also called Joseph ben Matityahu , was a 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian and hagiographer of priestly and royal ancestry who recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the 1st century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War, which resulted in the Destruction of...
' time (circa 37-100 A.D./C.E.).
Ordination of women
As noted above, the Book of the Law opened two priesthood offices to women: Priest and Teacher. While only the "course" of "Singer" in the office of Priest was open to females, all five "degrees" in the office of Teacher were available. Furthermore, they could serve as "leaders" of the Singers. Strang ordained women to these ministries as early as 1851, and permitted then to lecture in his School of the ProphetsSchool of the Prophets
In Mormonism, the School of the Prophets was a select group of early Latter Day Saint leaders who began meeting on January 23, 1833 in Kirtland, Ohio under the direction of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. for both theological and secular learning...
by 1856.
In contrast, the Community of Christ church opened its ministry to females in 1984, while the LDS Church does not ordain women to priesthood offices.
Animal sacrifice
Animal sacrificeAnimal sacrifice
Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal as part of a religion. It is practised by many religions as a means of appeasing a god or gods or changing the course of nature...
was instituted in the Book of the Law, both for forgiveness of sins and as a part of Strangite celebration rituals. However, given the prohibition on sacrifices for sin contained in III Nephi 9:19-20, Strang did not require sin offerings. Rather, he focused on sacrifice as an element of religious celebration, especially the commemoration of his own coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
as king (July 8, 1850). The head of every house, from the king to his lowest subject, was to offer "a heifer, or a lamb, or a dove. Every man a clean beast, or a clean fowl, according to his household."
The killing of sacrifices was a prerogative of Strangite Priests, but female Priests were specifically barred from participating in this aspect of the Priestly office.
"Firstfruits" offerings were also demanded of all Strangite agricultural harvests. Animal sacrifices are no longer practiced by the Strangites, though belief in their correctness is still required.
Monotheism and the vocation of Jesus Christ
Some of the teachings in the Book of the Law differed substantially from those held by other Mormon sects. For instance, in his "Note on the Sacrifice of Christ" and "The True God," Strang rejected both the traditional Christian doctrine of the Virgin BirthVirgin Birth
The virgin birth of Jesus is a tenet of Christianity and Islam which holds that Mary miraculously conceived Jesus while remaining a virgin. The term "virgin birth" is commonly used, rather than "virgin conception", due to the tradition that Joseph "knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn...
of Jesus Christ and the Mormon doctrine of plurality of gods
Plurality of gods
Plurality of gods usually refers to a unique concept taught by Joseph Smith and several other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is believed to be based on interpretations of the Bible, the Book of Abraham, the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr...
. He insisted that there was but one eternal God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, the Father
God the Father
God the Father is a gendered title given to God in many monotheistic religions, particularly patriarchal, Abrahamic ones. In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, life-giver, law-giver, and protector...
, and that progression to godhood (a doctrine allegedly taught by Joseph Smith) was impossible. God had always been God, said Strang, and He was one Person (not three, as in the traditional Christian Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
).
Jesus Christ, said Strang, was the natural-born son of Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
and Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
, who was chosen from before all time to be the Savior of mankind, but who had to be born as an ordinary mortal of two human parents (rather than being begotten by the Father or the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
) to be able to truly fulfill his Messianic role. Strang claimed that the earthly Christ was in essence "adopted" as God's son at birth, and fully revealed as such during the Transfiguration
Transfiguration of Jesus
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported in the New Testament in which Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels describe it, and 2 Peter 1:16-18 refers to it....
. 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
Resurrection appearances of Jesus
The major Resurrection appearances of Jesus in the Canonical gospels are reported to have occurred after his death, burial and resurrection, but prior to his Ascension. Among these primary sources, most scholars believe First Corinthians was written first, authored by Paul of Tarsus along with...
and ascension.
Furthermore, Strang denied that God could do all things, and insisted that some things were as impossible for Him as for us. Thus, he saw no essential conflict between science and religion, and while he never openly championed evolution
Introduction to evolution
Evolution is the process of change in all forms of life over generations, and evolutionary biology is the study of how evolution occurs. The biodiversity of life evolves by means of mutations, genetic drift and natural selection....
, he did state that God was limited in His power by both the matter
Matter
Matter is a general term for the substance of which all physical objects consist. Typically, matter includes atoms and other particles which have mass. A common way of defining matter is as anything that has mass and occupies volume...
He was working with and by the eons of time required to "organize" and shape it. He spoke glowingly of a future generation who would "make religion a science," to be "studied by as exact rules as mathematicks." "The mouth of the Seer will be opened," Strang prophesied, "and the whole earth enlightened."
Musing at length on the nature of sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
and evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
, Strang wrote that of all things that God could give to man, He could never give him experience. Thus, if "free agency" were to be real, said Strang, humanity must be given the opportunity to fail and to 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 good to evil not out of any fear of punishment or desire for reward, but rather "on account of the innate loveliness of undefiled goodness; of pure unalloyed holiness."
Other distinctive teachings
The Book of the Law taught the seventh-day SabbathSabbath in Seventh-day Adventism
Sabbath is an important part of the belief and practice of seventh-day Christians. These believers observe Sabbath on the seventh Hebrew day of the week, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, in similar manner as in Judaism, rather than Lord's day on Sunday like a most forms of Christianity...
, and commanded it in lieu of Sunday. It also accredits baptism for the dead
Baptism for the dead
Baptism for the dead, vicarious baptism or proxy baptism is the religious practice of baptizing a living person on behalf of one who is dead, with the living person acting as the deceased person's proxy...
, but on a far more limited scale than that currently practiced by the LDS church. Baptisms for the dead are not performed by the Strangites today, although belief in the doctrine is still affirmed.
Eternal marriage
Celestial marriage
Celestial marriage is a doctrine of Mormonism, particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and branches of Mormon fundamentalism.Within Mormonism, celestial marriage is an ordinance associated with a covenant that always...
is taught in the Book of the Law, though it is not required to be performed in a temple (as in the LDS church). Strangite Priests, Elders, High Priests or Apostles (of all four degrees) may all perform this ceremony. Eternal marriages are still contracted in the Strangite church today.
Oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
s are taken very seriously in the Book of the Law, and severe spiritual penalties are forewarned upon all who break their solemn word, once given.
The Book of the Law permits not only the blessing of others, but cursing, as well. But this is not to be done in anger, nor indiscriminately; rather, it is only to be "invoked on such as, on deliberate and candid thought, are found condemned to them by the Law of God; and then the curse should be invoked as in the presence of God, the searcher of hearts; conscious that whosoever curses in the bitterness of his...corrupt heart, and not in the light of God’s truth, the curse will return upon him." "Maledictions" are also to be performed by Strangite leaders upon "hereticks, schismaticks, and those guilty of gross and abominable immoralities, and acts of great cruelty and wickedness." The Strangite practice of "Maledictions" seems comparable to the "anathema
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
s" pronounced in the New Testament and by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Conservation of forests and resources is mandated in the Book of the Law. Groves of trees were to be maintained upon each farm, and in each village and town. Farms and cities without trees were required to plant them, and to establish parklands so that "the aged and the young may go there to rest and to play."
Strangites are prohibited by the Book of the Law from dressing ostentatiously. Various (today mostly obsolete) styles are banned, though allowance is made for those who are "sojourning among Gentiles" to "imitate, to some moderate extent, their foolish and ridiculous styles, to avoid impertinent observations."
The Book of the Law sanctions marriage only between persons who are not impotent, deformed, of reduced stature ("a dwarf"), or mentally handicapped. The image of animal husbandry
Animal husbandry
Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.- History :Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years, since the first domestication of animals....
is invoked: "The same means which will improve a breed of cattle," Strang wrote, "will improve a race of men."
Polygamy
Plural marriagePlural marriage
Polygamy was taught by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than half of the 19th century, and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890.The Church's practice of polygamy has been highly controversial, both within...
is sanctioned, though not expressly commanded, in the Book of the Law. The applicable text reads: "Thou shalt not take unto thee a multitude of wives disproportioned to thy inheritance, and thy substance: nor shalt thou take wives to vex those thou hast; neither shalt thou put away one to take another." Any wife already married to the prospective polygamist was given the right to express her opinion, and even to object, but not to veto the marriage. This passage seems to offer any aggrieved wife an appeal to the "Judges," but how this was to be carried out is not made clear.
Strang's defense of polygamy was rather novel. He claimed that, far from enslaving or demeaning women, it liberated and "elevated" them by allowing them to choose the best possible mate based upon any factors deemed important to them—even if that mate were already married to someone else. Rather than being forced to wed "corrupt and degraded sires" due to the scarcity of more suitable men, a woman could wed the one she saw as the most compatible to herself, the best candidate to father her children and the man who could give her the best possible life, no matter how many other wives he might have.
The practice of plural marriage has never been officially proscribed in the Strangite church, unlike in the LDS church. Only twenty-two men entered into polygamy, and most of them only took one additional wife. Strang took four additional wives, the most of any member in his church.
Polygamy was apparently practiced by a few Strangites up to 1880 or so, to include Wingfield W. Watson
Wingfield W. Watson
Wingfield W. Watson was a religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which was founded by Joseph Smith, Junior, and succeeded by James Jesse Strang He was a church records keeper. And some of his works have been compiled, showing the beliefs and actions of Strang...
, a Strangite High Priest who knew and served under James Strang personally. However, with federal and state bans on the practice, and a divine injunction to obey "the law of the land," plural marriage has been given up in the contemporary Strangite church, though belief in its correctness is still required and affirmed.
Strangites reject Section 132 of the LDS Doctrine and Covenants, regarding it as a forgery from 1852 that was never received or approved by Joseph Smith.
External links
- Book of the Law of the Lord, Edition of 1851 Original edition, without Strang's later extensive commentary and notes.
- Book of the Law of the Lord, Edition of 1856 Contains Strang's commentary and notes, also considered to be scripture by Strangites.
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
- The Second Book of the Chronicles, KJV