Online Lecture Series
May 11 - June 1
May 11 - June 1
Every Thursday at 7:00 PM (Central)
Join us this spring as we explore the stories behind the "Scattered Saints." Hear the fascinating story of Elvira Eliza Field, consider Lyman Wight and his band of followers' call to Texas, learn about what attracted so many converts to join James Strang at Beaver Island, and explore the unique story of the rise and fall of the Morrisite community. Discover the stories behind each of these individuals and more during our four-week online lecture series. Register for the lecture that excites you the most by clicking on the registration button located below each of the lecture descriptions.
Preserving the Historic Sites, One Lecture at a Time
Although the online lectures are free and open to the public, donations received from the lecture series go to support the ongoing preservation and maintenance of Community of Christ historic sites. Please consider contributing a $10 donation per lecture. Click "Donate" at the top of the page to learn more about how you can help support Community of Christ historic sites. Thank you for your generous support.
Although the online lectures are free and open to the public, donations received from the lecture series go to support the ongoing preservation and maintenance of Community of Christ historic sites. Please consider contributing a $10 donation per lecture. Click "Donate" at the top of the page to learn more about how you can help support Community of Christ historic sites. Thank you for your generous support.
Image of James Strang, c. 1856
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May 11 Lecture: Polygamy, Perceptions, and Power: How the Strangites Became RLDS with Vickie Cleverly Speek James J. Strang claimed an angel anointed him to be Joseph Smith Jr.’s successor. He attracted hundreds of Saints to his colonies in Voree and Beaver Island by claiming he did not believe in polygamy. Potential converts balked. But the near fatal blow to the Strangite kingdom came when Strang had himself crowned a King. This presentation will show how disillusioned former members helped form the “New Organization." |
Elvira Eliza Field dressed as Charley Douglass
(image courtesy of Clarke Historical Library)
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May 18 Lecture: "Charley's a Gal": James Jesse Strang's First Plural Wife, Elvira Eliza Field with Amy DeRogatis James Jesse Strang claimed to be the rightful successor of Joseph Smith and began his leadership opposing plural marriage. But is 1849 he secretly married a young convert named Elvira Eliza Field and for six months she dressed as his fictitious nephew Charley Douglass and served as his personal secretary while he traveled on a missionary tour of the East Coast. This presentation will discuss the six months during which Field cross-dressed and will ask the audience to consider why she would take the risk of being photographed incognito. |
The Church of the Firstborn temple located near Deer Lodge, Montana.
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May 25 Lecture: From Morrisite to Josephite and Beyond with Eric Paul Rogers This lecture will explore the organization and development of The Church of the Firstborn under prophet-leader Joseph Morris, the conflict that resulted in the death of Morris, and the dispersion of Morris' followers among various faith communities including the RLDS Church. |
Historic Mill built by followers of Lyman Wight and located in Marble Falls, Texas, c. 1890.
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June 1 Lecture:
Lyman Wight and Mormon Trails in Texas Dust: The Wild Ram and his flock in the Texas Hill Country before 1860 with Melvin Clarno Johnson This presentation will explore the renegade apostle and his polygamous colony’s adventures and journeys to Sycamore Springs and Bee Creek on the outskirts of Austin; Zodiac in Gillespie County; Mormon Mills in Burnet County, and Bandera in Bandera County. They dominated the frontier economies where their mechanical mills ran and organized villages and three county governments. Specific scrutiny will consider the Zodiac Temple and the Mormon Mills Cemetery. |