Friday, April 23, 2021

Reuben Miller (1846) on how James J. Strang's Claims to Authority Undercut Joseph Smith's Revelations and Theology of Priesthood

 

 

I went to Nauvoo, mixed in Strangism, and after investigating the matter about a week, I came out in public lectures in favor of the new prophet, and while advocating his claims as the appointed successor of Joseph the martyred prophet of God; the question was often raised, how could Mr. Strang receive a Dispensation of the Priesthood, from Heaven, when the Priesthood was held by thousands on the earth, as revealed through Joseph, by the administration of Angels. My reply invariable was, that the charge which he received from the Angel on the day of Joseph’s death, I considered a revelation to him, and a confirmation of his appointment to the prophetic office, and that his ordination as President of the Melchisedek Priesthood grew out of the powers of the same; although Mr. Strang contends that this ordination would have to come through the administration of an Angel, and that he could not be ordained in any other way, but would have to be ordained as Joseph was. This I considered a mistake. God revealed through Joseph the Priesthood which is to remain on the earth “until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began,” and that he could not receive a Dispensation of the Priesthood, for this would bring in a new Dispensation and destroy Joseph’s Priesthood, and the foundation which he laid of the Everlasting Kingdom. (Reuben Miller, James J. Strang, Weighed in the Balance of Truth, and Found Wanting. His Claims as First President of the Melchisedek Priesthood Refuted [Burlington: 1846], 1-2, emphasis in bold added. The entire tract should be read for the overwhelming scriptural and theological problems vis-à-vis Strang’s claims to being Joseph’s successor)

 

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