Becoming The Head of the Eighth Dispensation

In 1958, Robert Eaby wrote a two-page document with the scriptural reference that expanded the traditional Mormon view of seven dispensations of the gospel and, more importantly, portraited Ross LeBaron’s patriarchal work in cosmic proportions. The “ten weeks” described in the apocryphal Book of Enoch were identified by Eaby as ten dispensations of the gospel. QuotingContinue reading “Becoming The Head of the Eighth Dispensation”

Certificate of Incorporation, 1955

Certificate of Incorporation issued by the State of Utah for The Church of the First-Born on 01 December, 1955. This copy of the Certificate is found at the James Wardle Papers at the University of Utah Special Collections. Transcript State of Utah Office of Secretary of State To _____THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST-BORN______ I, LamontContinue reading “Certificate of Incorporation, 1955”

Ross LeBaron: Priesthood Expounded, 1985

Priesthood Expounded is the last tract published by Ross LeBaron during his lifetime. It contains, among other themes, his views on the different orders of the priesthood, his belief in the Adam-God doctrine and reincarnation, as well as an explanation of the coming of Elijah to the Nauvoo temple, an event LeBaron believed was essentialContinue reading “Ross LeBaron: Priesthood Expounded, 1985”

Ross LeBaron: Letter to J. Marion Hammon, 1958

On 17 December 1958, Ross Wesley LeBaron wrote a letter to J. Marion Hammon condemning the path taken by the Mormon Fundamentalist Priesthood Council: Whenever an organization casts out the thinkers of its membership, and only keeps the “yes men” and “blind followers”, it soon comes to an end. LeBaron is referring above to anContinue reading “Ross LeBaron: Letter to J. Marion Hammon, 1958”

Baptismal and Ordination Certificates

These are two certificates of The Church of the First-Born. We haven’t been able to determine the date of these documents or for how long they were used by Ross Wesley LeBaron and his followers.

Ross LeBaron, Fred Collier: Revelation on Salvation and Exaltation, 1974

On 7 August 1974, Ross W. LeBaron received a revelation stating the purposes of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Church of the Firstborn, and their relation to the principles of salvation and exaltation of humankind. [1] The revelation was recorded in handwriting by Fred Collier, then an adopted son of Ross LeBaron. InContinue reading “Ross LeBaron, Fred Collier: Revelation on Salvation and Exaltation, 1974”

DeWayne Hafen: Interview to Dale Von Atta, 1978

As a teenager, DeWayne Hafen helped Ross LeBaron in his machine shop while LeBaron taught him about the Church of the Firstborn. When Hafen met him again as an adult, LeBaron was hesitant to ordain Hafen. The reason was Hafen’s previous affiliation with The Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of the Times. EvenContinue reading “DeWayne Hafen: Interview to Dale Von Atta, 1978”

Ross LeBaron: The Opening of the Seventh Seal, 1943

In 1943, Ross Wesley LeBaron published a pamphlet identifying the seven angels or plagues of the Book of Revelation as events in the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. Later in life, LeBaron would say that he knew some things “by revelation” and other things “by calculation”, also recognizing that he wasn’t freeContinue reading “Ross LeBaron: The Opening of the Seventh Seal, 1943”

Ross LeBaron: Letter to Margarito Bautista, 1958

“Lehi was evidently the first-born of Manasseh; for he followed the patriarchal pattern[,]” wrote Ross LeBaron about the Book of Mormon patriarch. “His youngest son held the right of the first-born (evidently of the tribe of Manasseh). Lehi was patriarch to a new world, Jacob priest, and Nephi King.” A Mormon Fundamentalist, Margarito Bautista hadContinue reading “Ross LeBaron: Letter to Margarito Bautista, 1958”

Ross LeBaron: Brigham Young Speaks, 1975

Published by Ross W. LeBaron in 1975, the pamphlet Brigham Young Speaks was a compilation of statements on the Adam-God doctrine, without editorial comments. It was the product of Fred Collier’s research, then an adopted son of Ross LeBaron. Later, Collier republished the pamphlet under his name with the title Adam-God in a Nutshell. InContinue reading “Ross LeBaron: Brigham Young Speaks, 1975”