Journal
Aftermath of the Martyrdom: Aspirants to the Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Title
Aftermath of the Martyrdom: Aspirants to the Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2024
Journal
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Pagination
335–402
Volume
62
Publisher
The Interpreter Foundation
Abstract
In the weeks, months, and years following the murders of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, several aspirants stepped forward to claim the mantle of the prophet. Who were these individuals with claims to the leadership of the church? What were their motives? How were these men able to inspire large numbers of saints to follow them? What became of their efforts and how are their works manifest in the present day? The reasons that members or prospective members chose or rejected the claims of these aspirants are examined, as are the churches of the organizations that were established by them. That study is augmented by a discussion of where these religious “expressions” subsequently gathered and the status of those entities today.
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Bibliographic Citation
Terms of use
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