E79: Something Strang in the Neighborhood

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (0:05)
Thank you.
See There is something magical about cooking.
No, don't look at me like that. This isn't an infomercial for Martha Stewart. It's alchemy of the most delicious variety. You take all these things that by themselves aren't anything exotic, unless you're one of those that thinks that you should put saffron in everything. You know who you are. In the end, you get something wild. Occasionally, something totally unexpected. It might be groundbreaking mole, or maybe you just end up with imperial primate.

**Bryan Buchanan** (0:53)
Right now, a quick break for a word from our friend's signature books.

**Christina Rosetti** (1:08)
Was polygamy the downfall of the Strangite kingdom, or was it something far more ominous and wide reaching?
Vicki Cleverly Speak examines the charismatic figure of James J. Strang and provides a detailed first look at his wives, children and the Strangite family left behind at his martyrdom. She makes an especially close examination of the practice of consecration of Gentile property in the Strangite colonies on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. Were the Strangites guilty of piracy and other crimes? And if so, to what extent?
Strang was considered the prophetic successor to Joseph Smith for the Mormons of the Midwest, who later formed the Nucleus for the membership of what is now the Community of Christ.
Today, 150 years after Strang's death, about 100 faithful followers in the United States still await the emergence of another prophet to succeed Strang. In the prophetic tradition of Joseph Smith, Strang similarly excavated ancient metallic plates and translated them into the Book of the Law of the Lord and the Raja Manchow of Verito. Like Joseph Smith, Strang instigated polygamy, secret ceremonies, baptism for the dead, and communal living. He also introduced a polymer-like fashion for women, as well as other innovations. Like Joseph Smith, he had himself crowned King of the World. Where previous treatments of Strang have relied either on inside or outside sources to show either a prophet or charlatan, Speak utilizes all sources, updates the record, corrects previous errors, and shows diverse perspectives. She recounts the turbulent and dramatic events of the 1840s and 50s, including the plot to murder Strang and the heartbreaking exile of the Saints from Beaver Island. She traces the dispersion of this once formidable colony of Mormons to the forests of Northwest Wisconsin, the far-flung outposts of Southwest New Mexico, the hills of Lamoni, Iowa, and to Salt Lake City, Utah. God Has Made Us a Kingdom, James Strang and the Midwest Mormons by Vicki Cleverly Speak, published by Signature Books. Get it at Benchmark Books, or I guess wherever else you get your books.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (3:04)
Hi, this is Lindsay Hansen Park.

**Bryan Buchanan** (3:06)
And this is Bryan Buchanan.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (3:08)
Bringing you the story of Mormonism from the shadow of the Everlasting Hills, straight out of Zion, this isn't your grandpa's Mormon history.

**Bryan Buchanan** (3:35)
This is the tale of Mormon saints and sinners from our roots until present day.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (3:40)
Gird your loins, lock your hearts, and pay your tithing, because we're bringing you the story of Mormonism in all its paradisiacal glory.

**Bryan Buchanan** (3:49)
It's the Sunstone History Podcast.
Try to hear this in the voice of some 80s awesome show that did a dreaded two-parter. Last time on Days of Our Strings, the Brighamites were hitching up to leave Nauvoo, the Strangites were coalescing in Wisconsin, and John C. Bennett was itching to get back into the game. And Brigham couldn't get very far without being reminded of Strang. Just a couple weeks into the journey west, a posse of dudes comes into camp. They tell Heber Kimball that they've heard the apostles were going to investigate Strang and his teachings. And this is where Kimball says, nah bro, Strangism is quote, not worth the skin of a fart.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (4:44)
It's not really a groundbreaking insight, but you can often tell how much something is bugging Brigham and Heber by whether they describe it using shit or fart. James Strang absolutely was on their minds. And why shouldn't he be?
By 1846, he is certainly the biggest challenge to their authority. Rigding got his butt handed to him and is now out of town. Mark's never really materialized as an opponent. And Samuel Smith, well, he's pretty dead.
Joseph Smith III still isn't old enough to buy beer. William Smith has stepped up to pledge the entire family to Strang, even though no one except William actually cares. So Strang really is the guy.

**Bryan Buchanan** (5:26)
Speaking of cooking, what this dish needs is some sun-ripened tomatoes.
Doesn't that sound hipster of us? And by that, of course, we mean the original tomato promoter himself, Mr. John C. Bennett. He writes to Strang from Cincinnati in March 1846 and basically suggests that he should be his counselor. Bennett knows his place and kisses the appropriate amount of butt. Quote, I am willing to acknowledge and sustain you as president chief first in all things. He also compares him to Napoleon, which I think was basically required by law at that point. What is interesting is that Bennett is very clear in saying he won't recognize any dude's authority just because he is pious. And that to me is awesome because piety never seems to have been any great priority with Bennett.