Strangite
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The Strangite church is distinct from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is larger and better-known. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the original church established by Joseph Smith. The Strangite church is headquartered in an area of Burlington Wisconsin known as Voree. The Strangites share the same early history with other Latter-day Saint denominations, up until the assassination of Joseph Smith Jr. Upon the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Strang claimed to have been ordained by angels to be the new prophet. He led some of the saints after him, some of whom then reconsidered and returned to the main body of the Church. Rejected by the body of the Church, Strang established his own communities in Wisconsin and claimed to translate ancient records as had Joseph Smith. He became increasingly tyrannical in his management of his colonies and his followers and was eventually assassinated in 1856. Upon his assassination, his church split into smaller groups, many of which affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now called the Community of Christ.
According to Wikipedia, "Strang's disciples today are divided into two main factions; one is led by a Presiding High Priest, who does not claim to have the authority or office possessed by Joseph Smith or James Strang. The other claims that this first assemblage is in error, and that by incorporating in 1961, it lost its identity as a faithful continuation of Strang's organization. This second group claims that it is the sole true remnant of James Strang's church."
Strang's church has steadily decreased in size over the years, especially since leaders consider the modern dispensation of western prophets to have ended with Strang's murder. The Church has somewhere between 50 and 300 members.
Doctrine
The church believes in seventh-day worship, sacrificial ordinances, ordains women to some offices of the priesthood, practices baptism for the dead, and believes in Eternal Marriage. Historically, some members of the church practiced plural marriage, including James Strang himself.
