True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days
Encyclopedia
Sect
A sect is a group with distinctive religious, political or philosophical beliefs. Although in past it was mostly used to refer to religious groups, it has since expanded and in modern culture can refer to any organization that breaks away from a larger one to follow a different set of rules and...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is headquartered in Manti, Utah
Manti, Utah
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,040 people, 930 households, and 742 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,560.2 people per square mile . There were 1,010 housing units at an average density of 518.3 per square mile...
, United States, where as of 2004 it maintained a membership of 300 to 500 adherents. The church maintains the Red Brick Store
Red Brick Store
The Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois, was a building that was constructed and owned by Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.-Original building:...
and a meetinghouse in downtown Manti.
Establishment
The church was organized on May 3, 1994, in response to a perceived apostasyApostasy
Apostasy , 'a defection or revolt', from ἀπό, apo, 'away, apart', στάσις, stasis, 'stand, 'standing') is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy is known as an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday...
in the LDS Church. The TLC belief in a perceived LDS Church apostasy include the idea that Brigham Young
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 subsequent presidents of the LDS Church) scattered—rather than gathered—the LDS Church membership, discontinued the practice of plural marriage
Plural 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...
which the LDS Church believes is an abrogation rather than apostasy from God's early commandments and revelations, changed ordinance and temple-related doctrines and principles, and have increasingly moved toward a more "watered-down" approach to church doctrine.
The TLC began as a study group and Priesthood Council in the early 1990s, where people from both the LDS Church and Mormon fundamentalist churches met together to discuss doctrine. During this period, the leader of the study group, James Dee Harmston, (born November 1940; graduated from Weber High School
Weber High School
Weber High School is a Utah secondary school located in Pleasant View, Utah, about 5 miles north of Ogden, Utah. It serves the residents of Pleasant View, North Ogden, Harrisville, Huntsville, Eden, and Liberty...
in 1959,) served a mission to Nauvoo
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
. James Harmston prior to his retirement and founding of the TLC was a real estate developer and lobbyist for the Reagan Administration.
Gary Barns [source?] wrote a manuscript called "Further Light & Knowledge" dealing with research into the true order of prayer
Prayer circle (Mormonism)
In Mormonism, a prayer circle, also known as the True Order of Prayer is a ritual established by Joseph Smith, Jr. that some Mormons believe is a more potent means of receiving blessings and revelation from God...
. In 1990, Ogden Kraut's publishing house Pioneer Press published it. Authorship is not 100% certain because undated manuscript believed to be written by Harmston with the same title has been circulated in various Mormon fundamentalist discussion groups. In 1994, Harmston claimed to have a revelation
Revelation (Latter Day Saints)
Latter Day Saints teach that the Latter Day Saint movement began with a Revelation from God . They also teach that revelation is the foundation of the church established by Jesus Christ and that it remains an essential element of His true church today...
in which the ancient Biblical Patriarchs Enoch
Enoch (ancestor of Noah)
Enoch is a figure in the Generations of Adam. Enoch is described as Adam's greatx4 grandson , the son of Jared, the father of Methuselah, and the great-grandfather of Noah...
, Noah
Noah
Noah was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the tenth and last of the antediluvian Patriarchs. The biblical story of Noah is contained in chapters 6–9 of the book of Genesis, where he saves his family and representatives of all animals from the flood by constructing an ark...
, Abraham
Abraham
Abraham , whose birth name was Abram, is the eponym of the Abrahamic religions, among which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
and Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
laid their hands on his head and conferred upon him the keys of the Melchizedek priesthood
Melchizedek 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...
. Following this event, he organized the church and collected his revelations in the Manti Revelation Book. He formally organized a hierarchy consisting of himself as President of the High Priesthood, a Presiding Patriarch, a First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
and a Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
One investigative article in the early 1990s wrote of the TLC's beginnings that:
Jim and Elaine Harmston "donned their Mormon temple robes at home and created a makeshift altar from a pillow and piano bench topped by a white bed sheet. They knelt to utilize the 'true order of prayer,' a ritual said to facilitate otherworldly communication.... They say God gave them the same answer He gave Smith (in the grove when asking what church to join) only this time He said the current Mormon church was among the 'wrong' churches and they should start their own".
TLC doctrines and teachings
Early in the church organization, Harmston taught a number of semi-private seminars known as "the Models," where he taught about the necessity of following early Mormon doctrines. Besides the doctrines of plural marriage and the Law of ConsecrationLaw of Consecration
In the Latter Day Saint movement , the term law of consecration was first used in 1831 by Joseph Smith, it was a doctrine of covenanted Christian communalism....
, they also teach a doctrine considered false by the LDS Church and some fundamentalist groups, known as "Multiple Mortal Probations", which is a form of reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
, though limited to the scope of gender and species; men return to mortality as men and women as women, with humans always returning as humans.
The TLC also teaches a doctrine, familiar to early Mormonism, known as "the gathering," which is referred to in numerous places in Latter Day Saint scripture
Standard Works
The Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the four books that currently constitute its open scriptural canon.* The Holy Bible * The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ...
. The idea is that all the "elect" of Israel should gather primarily in Manti, but anywhere with the Sanpete Valley Sanpete County, Utah
Sanpete County, Utah
Sanpete County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. The population according to the 2010 U.S. Census was 27,822. It was possibly named for a Ute Indian chief named Sanpitch, which was corrupted to Sanpete. Its county seat is Manti and its largest city is Ephraim.-Geography:According to...
to be a member of the TLC.
While proselytizing was heavily pursued during the infancy of TLC, all missionary work ceased by March 2000. It was at this time the TLC experienced shifting changes and a reorganization of its First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles. This was in part due to a revelation and promise by James Harmston that Christ would appear on March 25, 2000 and perform the ordinance of deliverance and begin the terrestrial order or Millennium. This promise was given conditional upon the faithfulness of the members, but was perceived by some in the TLC as a failure on Harmston's part to give accurate prophecy. This precipitated the subsequent apostasy of several members of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles (Randy Maudsley, Jeff Hanks, Kent Braddy, Bart Malstrom and John Harper all either left or were excommunicated). The Quorum of the Twelve in the TLC has since been reorganized, along with a new First Presidency. One of its better proselytizing tools, its website, shut down completely a short time later after revelation was given declaring the day of the Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
(which involved preaching to those not of the Kingdom of Israel) had ended. Though an offline CD-ROM version of the TLC website has continued to be mailed out to investigators, the TLC has chosen not to publish this website online.
The affirmation regarding the day of the Gentile was based on revelations, particularly in the Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement...
, that the gospel of Jesus Christ would first go to the Gentiles and then to the Jews, or House of Israel. This policy has effectively discontinued the TLC's policy of open missionary work or attempts at conversion until further notice. Those seriously seeking knowledge or membership have been directed at times to attend meetings or research further doctrine and other information from the time period of the early Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
. While the TLC has claimed many early LDS Church doctrines as its own, it has been noted that the TLC itself has changed some of its doctrinal interpretation since its formation. The TLC's response is that, while only its perception of original doctrines have changed, the actual foundational material the LDS Church originally built on remains the same.
While the TLC has decided to remain offline in regards to their public missionary work, discussion forums do exist with former members, and cached archives of TLC website material is available on the internet.
The TLC also has a strong youth program heavily involved in Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
. They have recently adopted the Venturing Scout program which allows participation of both young men and young women.
Lawsuit
An early setback for the church occurred in 1998 when two disaffected members accused Harmston of racketeering and fraudFraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
when they failed to see Jesus. In 2002, a court granted $300,000 to the two former members. While this suit was overturned, an appeals court in 2005 granted the two former members the right to a new trial. As of 2010, according to some sources, the settlement has since been reduced to $60,000 due to financial hardships experienced by the TLC.
Media coverage
The TLC was heavily profiled in a 1999 A&E NetworkA&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
documentary called Inside Polygamy (AAE #17685); various other documentaries and interviews have been conducted with TLC, its leadership and its membership over the years.
A twenty minute audio documentary titled "Factions" was aired on National Public Radio's program "This American Life" in April 1996 concerning the breakup of the study group before the TLC was formally organized as a church.
One book giving the accounts of two of James Harmston's wives (Pauline & Rachel Strong) was published in 2006.
Numerous other anti-polygamy books have published "exposés" of the TLC.
Also some ex-members (including one of the First Presidency) have maintained blogs on social networking sites.
The anti-polygamy TV program "What Love is This?" aired an interview with a former TLC member in January 2010
In 2007 a documentary critical of Mormon fundamentalist groups in general called "Lifting the Veil of Polygamy" also aired interviews with a former TLC member
An ex member of the TLC & identifying him/herself only as "JMO" started a blog in 2010 wherein various accusations of false doctrine & prophecy were alleged.
Terminology and relationship within the Latter Day Saint movement
The term "Mormon fundamentalist" appears to have been coined in the 1940s by LDS Church Apostle Mark E. PetersenMark E. Petersen
Mark Edward Petersen was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1944 until his death. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he filled the vacancy caused by the excommunication of Richard R. Lyman...
. While Mormon fundamentalists, including members of TLC, call themselves Mormon, the LDS Church considers the designation to apply only to its members and not to members of other sects of the Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
. The LDS Church therefore claims that there is no such thing as a "Mormon fundamentalist", nor that there are any "Mormon sects". The LDS Church suggests that the correct term to describe these splinter groups is "polygamist sects". The LDS Church has repeatedly emphasized that it is not affiliated with Mormon fundamentalists. If members of the LDS Church engage in polygamy, they are excommunicated.
The TLC may also be distinguished from historical Mormon fundamentalism which traces priesthood lineage either through the 1886 Revelation
1886 Revelation
In the Mormon fundamentalist movement, the 1886 Revelation is the text of a revelation said to have been received by John Taylor, third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , that is claimed to restate the permanence of the principle of plural marriage...
(John W. Woolley line) or those who believe Benjamin F. Johnson
Benjamin F. Johnson
Benjamin Franklin Johnson was an early member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a member of the Council of Fifty....
's claims (the LeBaron family line). Though the TLC does teach that John Taylor actually did have a meeting with Joseph Smith, Jr. and Jesus Christ (the 1886 revelation is included in the TLC edition of the Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement...
), it has not been made clear how it doctrinally understands the existence of a resurrected Joseph Smith, since James Harmston is believed to be the same person embodied today.
The TLC is a re-restorationist movement, in that it holds that the original keys passed down from Smith went into apostasy at some point, and a second restoration of priesthood keys was believed to be necessary.
The TLC also shares much doctrinal common ground with some of the new religious movements, such as Edgar Cayce
Edgar Cayce
Edgar Cayce was an American psychic who allegedly had the ability to give answers to questions on subjects such as healing or Atlantis while in a hypnotic trance...
, The Summit Lighthouse
The Summit Lighthouse
The Summit Lighthouse is an international New Age spiritual organization founded in 1958 by Mark L. Prophet. Today it is the outreach arm of Church Universal and Triumphant, founded in 1975 by Prophet's wife, Elizabeth Clare Prophet...
and others.
Some doctrinal distinctions also exist between Mormon fundamentalism and TLC teachings. For example, while the TLC does offer the original endowment
Endowment (Latter Day Saints)
In the theology of the Latter Day Saint movement, an endowment refers to a gift of "power from on high", typically associated with Latter Day Saint temples. The purpose and meaning of the endowment varied during the life of movement founder Joseph Smith, Jr...
Joseph Smith restored, it is understood that a "living endowment"—or administration of keys not all at the same time, but possibly during separate sessions—is necessary for the living, while endowments for the dead are performed in the same manner the LDS Church and others do for the endowment. It is also claimed that temple ordinances exist beyond what Joseph Smith restored up to 1844 when he was martyred
Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.
The death of Joseph Smith, Jr. on June 27, 1844 marked a turning point for the Latter Day Saint movement, of which Smith was the founder and leader. When he was attacked and killed by a mob, Smith was the mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and running for President of the United States...
.
The TLC has reinterpreted the Word of Wisdom
Word of Wisdom
The "Word of Wisdom" is the common name of a section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a book considered by many churches within the Latter Day Saint movement to consist of revelations from God...
in line with a raw foods
Raw foodism
Raw foodism is the practice of consuming uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic foods as a large percentage of the diet....
interpretation, along with some gleanings of the "Eat Right 4 Your Type" books
Blood type diet
The blood type diet is a nutritional diet advocated by Peter D'Adamo, a naturopathic physician, and outlined in his book Eat Right 4 Your Type. D'Adamo claims that ABO blood type is the most important factor in determining a healthy diet, and he recommends distinct diets for each blood type...
by Dr. Peter D'Adamo. One source also states that sugar, honey & meat are forbidden. The Word of Wisdom does talk about eating "meat sparingly" so it unclear if the meat restrictions are meant to be vegetarian or just inline with moderate meat intake. The President of the "temporal church" Dan Simmons switched to using a natural sweetener called xylitol in 2005, but again the actual practice amongst the rest of the church is not clear.
The TLC at one point had an endowment house in Fairview, Utah
Fairview, Utah
Fairview is a city in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census.-History:Located at the confluence of the San Pitch River and Cottonwood Creek, Fairview is the largest town in the northeast end of the Sanpete Valley...
, but this was lost when the property owner (also a member of the church's First Presidency) left the TLC. The TLC has since continued to offer temple ordinances for the living and the dead without the Fairview endowment house, as per the FAQ section of their website which says:
- Yes. The Lord has commanded us to offer the ordinances of the Endowment to worthy members of the TLC. We have established an Endowment House for the purposes of administering the Endowment. In so doing, the Lord has given us the authority and commanded that we restore much of the Endowment to its original form, with priority being given to the covenants, tokens, signs, penalties and key-words. The changes made to the Endowment by the LDS Church has rendered it unacceptable to Him.
This is consistent as part of the threefold mission of the church (namely redeem the dead). So that when the TLC no longer had their endowment house, a place for keys to be administered would have to be used to fulfill the threefold mission of the gospel, i.e. perfect the saints, proclaim the gospel & redeem the dead. Otherwise they would be breaking the commandments of the Lord per their own admission. Historically, a doctrinal distinction in Mormonism has existed in that ordinances for living people could be performed in endowment houses whereas ordinances for the dead required a temple.
Historical precedent can be seen in that the baptismal font in the Assembly Hall used to perform both baptisms for the living as well as on behalf of the dead (see the old TLC website as well as the A&E documentary Inside Polygamy where pictures of the baptismal font & the "compass & square
Square and Compasses
The Square and Compasses is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry. Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons...
" symbols (which look like an L & V) seen on the temple veil in LDS temples as well as Patriarch James Allred (1784–1876) grave stone in Spring City, Utah
Spring City, Utah
Spring City is a city in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 956 at the 2000 census. Although it is still largely a farming town, Spring City is becoming increasingly known as an artist community. Many excellent examples of Mormon pioneer architecture exist throughout the town...
). An article on the TLC website entitled "James Allred Gravestone-Temple Symbology-A True Endowment" by John W. Pratt contains a photograph of the gravestone.
See also
- Factional breakdown: Mormon fundamentalist sects
- Mormon fundamentalism
- List of Mormon fundamentalist churches
- List of Mormon fundamentalist leaders