Succession crisis occurred after the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith

A succession crisis occurred after the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, June 1844. Several men stepped forward to claim leadership of the church including Sydney Rigdon, the highest ranking officer of the church (first counselor), Brigham Young (president of the quorum of 12), and newer member James J. Strang.

Emma Smith urged Nauvoo Stake President William Marks to succeed Joseph as president. After the first presidency, the Nauvoo High Council was the church’s chief legislative and judicial council. William Marks was also president of the High Council at the time, but he supported Sydney Rigdon’s claim to leadership.

Joseph Smith seemed to have given indications that one of his sons would succeed him. Several church leaders stated on August 27, 1834 and April 22 1839 that Joseph indicated that his eldest son, Joseph Smith III would be his successor. However, Joseph III was only eleven years old at the time of his father’s death. (Joseph Smith III later presides as Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 54 years, June 6, 1860-December 10, 1914)

James J. Strang, was a major contender for leadership of the church in 1844. He claimed to have possession of a letter written by Joseph Smith naming him as his successor. (Strang’s letter is held today by Yale University) Strang’s “letter of appointment” is dated June 18 1844 and carries a legitimate Nauvoo postmark. In addition, James Strang also claimed ordination by an angel following the death of Joseph Smith. He goes on to lead a large group of Saints to Beaver Island, MI including Joseph Smith’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, three sisters, and brother William Smith. Strang gained nearly 12,000 adherents and published translations of two purportedly ancient lost works-

the Voree Record, deciphered from three metal plates and reportedly unearthed in response to a vision, and the Book of the Law of the Lord, transcribed from the Plates of Laban. When Strang was killed in 1856 most followers rallied around Joseph Smith III and joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Today, The Strangite Church is headquartered in Voree, Wisconsin.

Sydney Rigdon and Brigham Young rejected Strang’s claims, and the Latter Day Saint movement became divided. With the loyalty of the other members of the quorum of the twelve, Brigham Young was able to overpower Sydney Rigdon in leading many of the Saints out of Nauvoo.

The Brigham Young branch of the church moved west to Utah, while thousands of other Saints remained residing in various locations in the Midwestern parts of the country. The smaller Rigdon branch traveled back east and established The Church of Jesus Christ of the Children of Zion in Pittsburg. (currently known as The Church of Jesus Christ Bickertonite)

To avoid confusing the different Latter Day Saint bodies, the usual nineteenth century usage would refer to the followers of Brigham Young as “Brighamites,” followers of Sydney Rigdon as “Rigdonites,” followers of James Strang as “Strangites,” and followers of Joseph Smith III as “Josephites.” News would often be shared between groups via flyers and newspapers.