I have tried to capture the essence of William E. McLellin‘s arguments as to why he made the decision to depart from his association with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I include a PDF of his handwritten statement here.
Some of my thoughts in 1878. Why I am not a member of the LDS faith or any click or party – William E. McLellin
Source: William E. McLellin papers, 1831-1878.
His issues:
- Joseph “required Oliver to ordain him a prophet, seer, revelator, and translator on the 6th of April 1830. He takes issue with D&C 21.1.
- He takes issue with D&C 21.4.
- He takes issue with Joseph and Oliver being “apostles” – see D&C 21.1.
- Oliver is not to command Joseph “who is at the head of the Church.”
- Joseph Smith put himself above others in giving revelation to the church.[1]Page 4, also the opening paragraph of McLellin’s letter to Cobb. From The William E. McLellin papers, 1831-1878, “Some of my thoughts in 1878; why I am not an L.D. Saint of any click (sic) or … Continue reading
McLellin states that Joseph’s ordination is null and void, that the office of prophet, seer, and revelator is a gift and not an office.[2]Ibid., p. 4. He states that Joseph and Oliver were “true apostles of the translation of the Book of Mormon, but not apostles of Jesus Christ.”[3]Ibid., p. 5. He spends considerable ink on the conflict in Missouri, blaming Lyman Wight for inspiring Joseph Smith and the church to become men of war.[4]Page 8. He writes, “Wight was fully imbued with the war spirit, and inspired Smith and company with the idea of redeeming Zion, viz the Church of Zion with men of War!” On the next page he … Continue reading He also takes issue with the name of the church. He has much to say about the tragic loss of life on Zion’s Camp and the march to Missouri.
He does give Joseph some credit when he writes, “that he was the medium through whom The Book of Mormon was brought to light I am willing to and most firmly believe, but then and there his mission ended.”[5]Page 11. I would ask, what evidence does he have that Joseph’s mission had ended? McLellin cites D&C 5.4, “and he has a gift to translate the book and I have commanded him that he shall … Continue readingHe also makes the argument that proxy work for the dead is “no salvation at all.”[6]Page 14. He takes issue with tithing on the same page, stating, “Who is authorized to take or to receive and distribute tithes according to any gospel principle. There is no law or hint given in … Continue reading He also goes on about how he does not believe that John the Baptist ordained Joseph and Oliver to the priesthood during the translation process when Joseph had the gift of God with him.[7]Page 15. He writes, “John was only a chief priest, and did not possess the hood to give. No Aaronic priest ever ordained any man to any office since they were consecrated themselves… Hence that … Continue reading
References
| ↑1 | Page 4, also the opening paragraph of McLellin’s letter to Cobb. From The William E. McLellin papers, 1831-1878, “Some of my thoughts in 1878; why I am not an L.D. Saint of any click (sic) or party.” Call number: MS 13538 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Ibid., p. 4. |
| ↑3 | Ibid., p. 5. |
| ↑4 | Page 8. He writes, “Wight was fully imbued with the war spirit, and inspired Smith and company with the idea of redeeming Zion, viz the Church of Zion with men of War!” On the next page he writes, “All this was contrary to the peaceable and glorious doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ, to cease to do evil, cease to resist evil. I can’t see or know how intelligent men could be so blindly led only that their minds were holden and inspired by the power and persuasions of the Devil and Satan.” I find this sanctimonious argument fascinating, especially in light of texts addressing violence in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. In addition, we know from historical sources that McLellin attempted to direct violence to Joseph Smith when he was in chains in prison in Missouri. Following his excommunication, filled with the spirit of bitterness, McLellin joined the mobs that afflicted the Saints. While the Prophet was in a Missouri prison, McLellin and others looted his home and stable. Later the large and physically strong McLellin asked the sheriff holding Joseph Smith in prison for the privilege of flogging the Prophet. The sheriff agreed—if Joseph Smith would fight. Joseph said he would fight if he did not have to wear leg irons. McLellin was not willing under those conditions unless he could use a club and the Prophet be weaponless. Even to this Joseph agreed, but the jailor would not allow such an unfair fight. See: Lawrence R. Flake, Prophets and Apostles of the Last Dispensation (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2001), 355–57. |
| ↑5 | Page 11. I would ask, what evidence does he have that Joseph’s mission had ended? McLellin cites D&C 5.4, “and he has a gift to translate the book and I have commanded him that he shall pretend to no other gift, for I will grant him no other gift.” His logic is that after the Book of Mormon translation, Joseph was finished. Everything after this is void of heaven’s inspiration. Thus far in the letter his evidence seems to be the failure of the acquisition of the land of Zion. His claim that Joseph and Oliver had not seen the Savior seems to be missing the many testimonies of those involved in the Kirtland manifestations. |
| ↑6 | Page 14. He takes issue with tithing on the same page, stating, “Who is authorized to take or to receive and distribute tithes according to any gospel principle. There is no law or hint given in the gospel system about tithing in any one instance.” |
| ↑7 | Page 15. He writes, “John was only a chief priest, and did not possess the hood to give. No Aaronic priest ever ordained any man to any office since they were consecrated themselves… Hence that professed ordination was a myth – a nullity. A falsehood! A wicked wrong! |
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