Lyle O. Wright: Overview of Ross LeBaron’s Beliefs

The following is an excerpt is from Lyle O. Wright‘s Master Thesis, submitted to Brigham Young University in 1963, based on his interviews with Ross W. LeBaron. Even though Wright’s research focused on the Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Times, led by Joel and Ervil LeBaron, it approached the different priesthood claims in the LeBaron family.

Patriarchal organization of the world

This earth is organized on a patriarchal pattern of government. All of the churches come under the Patriarchal Priesthood, as well as kingdoms, and anything having to do with civil government.

In the Patriarchal Presidency of the World, Adam presides as the Patriarch of the world. Noah, the Priest, is second in the Presidency, and a Patriarch to those after the flood, except Jesus Christ. Christ, the King, and third in the Presidency, is a patriarch to his posterity. Christ was married, lived polygamy, and had a family; the 45th Psalm has to do with his marriage and children. Joseph Smith was of the lineage of Christ. Christ is called the “king of kings” because he is the third in the grand Patriarchal Council of the world, and the third office carries the title of “king.”

Noah is a greater patriarch than Christ because he has more posteritv. In eternity, however, Christ’s line will be lifted up side by side with Noah’s; that is, Christ’s line will be made equal with Noah’s. Christ will have a patriarchal house in his line, as Noah’s
line now includes a patriarchal house (Israel). Alma Dayer LeBaron’s house will stand in Christ’s line as Jacob’s house now stands in Noah’s line, and is to be the next  patriarchal house organized.

Jacob’s is an example of how the Presidency of a patriarchal house Is organized. In it the offices were filled as follows: (1) Jacob – Patriarch, (2) Levi – Priest, and (3) Judah – King. All the members of such a Presidency are High Priests, made so by a qualifying ordinance which is after the order of Melchizedek in ordination of priesthood but not in endowments.

In the Adamic Dispensation, Adam was Patriarch, Abel was Patriarch to the Gentiles, and Seth held the Right of the Firstborn. Abel was an evangelical minister, a patriarch in his own right, with an office carrying more dignity than the Right of the Firstborn.

In the Dispensation of Enoch, Enoch held the Right of the Firstborn. He presided, at thirty years of age, in the Patriarchal Priesthood, over all except his ancestors.

During the Abrahamic Dispensation, Abraham presided by the Right of the Firstborn. A special patriarchal quorum was formed for the establishing of Israel. Its members were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all holding the Right of the Firstborn. The patriarchal house of Israel (Jacob) was organized as noted above. Joseph held the Right of the Firstborn.

The quorum of the Presidency was not filled in Abraham’s time because Christ’s line was to be pulled up and made equal, and some from each line picked to fill the Presidency. Now this Presidency has been filled, with Abraham being given the first position because Noah’s line is greater than Christ’s line. In Doctrine and Covenants 124: 19, the phrase “he is mine” means that Joseph Smith, Sr., is Christ’s patriarchal heir, representing Christ’s line in the Abrahamic Presidency. Hyrum Smith stands on Abraham’s left as the other counselor.

The Mosaic Dispensation was not led by the Right of the Firstborn because, while all the other dispensations have been to the entire world, the Mosaic dispensation was intended for Israel only.

Lehi set up his family in patriarchal pattern with himself as Patriarch, Jacob as Priest, and Nephi as King. Joseph, Lehi’s younger son, held the Right of the Firstborn.

In Christ’s Dispensation, Christ held the Right of the Firstborn, John (the Revelator) was Patriarch to Israel, and Paul was evangelist, or Patriarch, to the Gentiles. Paul was previously ordained to the apostleship as qualifying ordinance.

In the present dispensation, Joseph Smith, Sr., was Patriarch to Christ’s line and held the Right of Firstborn; B. F. Johnson, Patriarch to Israel; Hyrum Smith, Patriarch to the Gentiles; and Joseph Smith, Jr., held the Right of the Firstborn as the firstborn of Jesus in this dispensation. When Benjamin F. Johnson, a descendant of John the Revelator and the firstborn of Ephraim, was sealed to Joseph Smith, it made Joseph the President of the house of Israel by adoption.

Ross Wesley LeBaron claims to now hold the Right of the Firstborn and the patriarchal keys over all the world as Joseph Smith’s heir. Because of this, he considers himself the only person having the legal right to organize the Church of the Firstborn.

Straight and narrow path

The “straight and narrow path” referred to in many prophecies, but which few obtain to, has reference to obtaining the nucleus of one’s patriarchal family organization for eternity; it also refers to the Church of the Firstborn, either on earth or in heaven.

Specifically, in order to preside over the Patriarchal Priesthood, a man must have three wives (this is called a “matriarchy,” with the presiding wife being the Matriarch). To
preside over the Melchizedek Priesthood, a man must have seven wives; and to become a presiding God, a man must have twelve wives. These are the heavenly patterns, not necessarily achieved here on earth. If a man does his best, but is prevented by circumstances from properly forming his patriarchal nucleus, the additional wives can be given to him during the Millennium.

“13”

There are always thirteen in the patriarchal structure, one of which is, or becomes, a Son of Perdition.

The number “13” is the most sacred of all numbers, representing God with his twelve Christs. Adam is the God of this solar system, and has twelve Christs and twelve Holy Ghosts, one of each for each of twelve planets in this system. Jesus is the President of the quorum of twelve Christs. Ancient mythology had twelve gods for whom the planets were named–as far as the known planets lasted–and this was actually a true principle.

Aaronic and Levitical priesthoods

Under Levi, one Levitical president or bishop could be had in each generation by patriarchal succession; while the scope of Aaron’s line was broadened, so that it could have as many bishops as needed. The Firstborn of Aaron held the Levitical presidency. By ordaining more of Aaron’s Sons High Priests of the Aaronic Priesthood, and giving them counselors, more Levitical lines can be started, each of which is entitled to have a bishop in each generation. However, if any of Aaron’s sons fail to so qualify, they lose their opportunity to begin a new line, and fall back into the Levitical Priesthood
forever.

When each tribe becomes a house in its own right (a house is twelve tribes) with twelve patriarchs, then there will be a quorum of twelve Levitical priests, with the Firstborn of Aaron presiding.

Additional Doctrines

Battle in Heaven

This galactic system was formed by the integration of two or more smaller systems. When systems come together, a reorganization is necessary, and there must be a re-integration and a re-patriarchalization. The great battle in heaven was a battle of Gods when the systems came together; in the end, Lucifer, who was once a God in his own right, lost out.

Whenever those Gods who have made an organizational covenant fail to accomplish their objective, as in the case of Lucifer and those with him, they lost their rights to be Gods.

In the amalgamation of two galaxies, tremendous amounts of heat and light are emitted. In the process, the Sons of Perdition are transmitted back into outer darkness. There they may start over again at the very beginning of the scale of progression, at a great distance from any Gods.

Resurrected beings

Resurrected beings have the power to transmit themselves into light, travel through space at the speed of light, and reassemble themselves at their destination. An illustration of this was Joseph Smith’s First Vision. At first, all he saw was a bright light, then it assembled into two people. Another example was when the Angel Moroni left Joseph’s room in a conduit of light, through the ceiling.

Purposes and Objectives

Ross W. LeBaron feels that his primary task is to bring back the patriarchal pattern. He considers that his work is that of a forerunner, as was John the Baptist. He will prepare the way for the coming of a greater prophet, the “One Mighty and Strong.” This greater Prophet will come by special appointment from God–a Melchizedek Priesthood appointment–and not through the Patriarchal Priesthood.

To accomplish this objective, LeBaron will spread his doctrines as opportunity arises. He does not presently do formal proselyting, nor hold regular meetings. He feels the foundation for his work has been laid (1) through prior work of the Restoration, and
(2) through the printed materials he has sent to the churches of the Restoration, along with sane personal contacts with leaders and members in those groups. In addition to teaching, he feels he has authority to baptize, to lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to ordain in the priesthood up to and including the office of a Patriarch.

But probably the single most important task he believes is his, is that of ordaining men Patriarchs to preside over their own posterity, providing, of course, they fulfill the necessary requirements.

He feels no compulsion to make haste in gathering a following, but feels the development will be gradual. When enough people have been converted, and enough patriarchal ordinations have been made, the structure will be there ready. Organization is up to the people, if it comes it will be by common consent and it will follow the pattern laid out in section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

In order to be able to properly organize, he would have to have available enough High Priests for a Presidency; enough men ordained to Apostleships for a Traveling Council; and would require either people qualified and trained in carrying out the temple ordinances, or else be able to use the present temples.

Unless he is able to obtain a people who have already been partially qualified, at least enough to carry on the essential work and ordinances, such a project of organization would not be worth the attempt.

The Mormon Church is the great gate of entering, and all the breakoffs or offshoots are gates of entering, to the understanding of Joseph Smith’s Dispensation. These churches are to be considered as comparable to a great funnel, but the only people who will get through the small end of the funnel are those who understand the full, complete laws of the Church of the Firstborn, as they were formed in eternity, and live so as to qualify.

Ross recognizes the validity of priesthood in both the Mormon and Fundamentalist groups, and recognizes their Apostleships and other offices. He considers all legal ordinations valid; they are legal if done in the pattern set up by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. This is a patriarchal pattern, which varies only slightly. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the legal Gentile organization, and they are accepted insofar as they obey and follow the principles laid down by Joseph Smith.

Ross W. LeBaron feels, that as Christ came not to destroy but to fulfill, so he (Ross) now has come not to destroy but to help in the bringing forth of the man-child spoken of by Isaiah.

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Reference

Wright, Lyle O. Origins and Development of the Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Times. Thesis. Brigham Young University, pp. 249-253. Available here.