Christopher Blythe: The Crafting of a New Religious Movement

The following is an excerpt from historian Christopher Blythe‘s master thesis on Ross LeBaron, submitted to the Utah State University in 2009. In his work, Blythe characterizes Ross LeBaron as “a religion maker in the same sense as Joseph Smith or Jesus Christ, in that he brought forth new concepts, which diverged from previous orthodox norms” (p. 04).

Ogie’s Cafe, in Salt Lake City, Utah used by Ross LeBaron and associates for “priesthood meetings” | Photo: Antonio Trevisan

The Crafting of a New Religious Movement

In order to teach students the intricacies encapsulated in a “full-fledged” religion, Catherine Albanese has developed a system of four Cs: Code, Community, Creed, and Cultus.[1]  The first category, Code, embraces the notion that religions necessarily introduce a system of morals and ethics by which adherents make life decisions.  The second category, Community, includes social structure and hierarchy, as well as the manner in which believers relate to the non-believing world.  The third category, Creed, includes not simply a formal statement of belief, but a discussion of beliefs and theology embraced by the community of believers.  Finally, the fourth category, Cultus, is a technical word simply meaning ritual which embraces both formal ceremony and the practice of the believers. (For example, this includes informal prayer, the study of scripture, and sermonizing.)  In this section, Albanese’s convenient system is used in order to study the religion developed by Ross Wesley LeBaron.  Yet, before we discuss the basic four categories introduced above, a fifth C of particular usefulness when studying Mormon traditions – the claim – is presented.Continue reading “Christopher Blythe: The Crafting of a New Religious Movement”

Ross LeBaron: Reincarnation

michelangelo-abstract-boy-child-73805In order to understand priesthood, we must realize we have existed forever, space is endless, and there is an infinite number of gods in space. It’s all organized to some degree, but it’s also going through process and change.

The one big stumbling block in the world today is people do not understand resurrection. They do not realize that every form of resurrection of flesh is reincarnation by definition.Continue reading “Ross LeBaron: Reincarnation”

Ross LeBaron: The Cause of Planetary Motion

milky-way-rocks-night-landscape-167843THE CAUSE OF PLANETARY MOTION

By R. W. Le Baron

That which is beyond the realms of reason, we atribute to God. Therefore, to most intelligent beings, God is the creative law of nature. This God, if I may call it such, is the most powerfull law, and authority, in all time and space. No one disobeys without paying the exact penalty; This God is the most ruthless force in existence, and also the kindest, for it gives us life everlasting. This God is a law, not a personality. (Personal Gods, are those, who by obedience to law, have gone ahead of the ones they preside over. If a man knows more than others, Does he not have more power, more glory.)Continue reading “Ross LeBaron: The Cause of Planetary Motion”

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

The following 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.

Ross LeBaron Revelation Firstborn
Ross Wesley LeBaron in January, 1984. | Photo courtesy of Tom Green

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.”Continue reading “Lyle O. Wright: Overview of Ross LeBaron’s Beliefs”

Ross LeBaron and Robert Eaby: Declaration on Civil Rights and Plural Marriage, 1967

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This Official Declaration, fashioned after the LDS 1890 Manifesto, signed by Ross W. LeBaron and Robert Eaby, presented a unique response in Mormondom to the new civil rights legislation. They found in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed by president Lyndon B. Johnson, the basis to nullify the Mormon Official Declaration 1.

Transcription

OFFICIAL DECLARATION

Manifesto

To Whom It May Concern:                                       The following was sustained….

Inasmuch as a Civil Right’s Law has been enacted by Congress, forbidding discrimination against race, creed or color: which Law has been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort: I hereby declare, that the Mormon Manifesto of Oct. 6, 1890, has been made null and void by said Civil Right’s Act of Congress, signed July 2, 1964.

And that the worthy Saints, by said Act of Congress, have had restored to them their former right’s and privileges, in relation to the Church and Kingdom of God, that were practiced by them before the various discriminatory laws were enacted against them and their religion.

I also declare, that the said Civil Right’s Act of July 2, 1964 was signed at the end of the 120 year period from the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, June 27, 1844.Continue reading “Ross LeBaron and Robert Eaby: Declaration on Civil Rights and Plural Marriage, 1967”

Ross LeBaron: Hearken to the Voice of the Lord

Ross LeBaron Revelation Firstborn
Ross Wesley LeBaron on January 19, 1984. | Photo courtesy of Tom Green

REVELATION given to Patriarch Ross W. LeBaron, at Drake, Arizona, June 5, 1962. I had been studing the scriptures concerning the ‘Mighty and Strong’, the ‘Root of Jesse’, and other prophecies relating to the time of the restoration, when the Lord would set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people.

I had received a revelation pertaining to the patriarchal order in the time of Melchizedek; and had written it in the form of Christ speaking in person, as the spirit guided, and was wondering if the Lord was displeased with me for using this form of wording and wondering if some of the wording was not just my imagination; when a voice said unto me: “Hearken to the voice of the Lord unto you my servant Wesley”.

I wrote the words exactly as they were given, until the wording, “and listen for the voice of my spirit,” when I thought to change the wording.Continue reading “Ross LeBaron: Hearken to the Voice of the Lord”

Benjamin F. Johnson: Patriarchal Blessing of Alma Dayer LeBaron

Patriarchal blessing given by Patriarchal Benjamin F. Johnson upon the head of Alma Dayer LeBaron, son of Sarah Jane Johnson and Benjamin Franklin LeBaron. Born in Tempe, Arizona, March 15, 1886.

Benjamin F. Johnson Alma Dayer LeBaron
Benjamin F. Johnson (circa 1887) and Alma Dayer LeBaron (circa 1940)

Alma Dayer, my son, in the authority of parental priesthood I place my hands upon thy head and open my mouth that the Lord may speak through me in blessing and admonition as shall be according to his purpose pertaining to thy lineage and birth.

And my words to thee be as a key of knowledge, a principle of faith, a monitor and a guide through thy life.

Thou wast among the valiant in thy fist estate; and because the Father loved thee, thou wast among the most favored of His chosen sons to come in the fullness of times to assist in the regeneration and harvest of the earth; and to this end the Angels have watched over thee from thy birth and are still around thee to protect and guide thee. And, inasmuch as thou wilt now in thy youth gird up thy mind, to be admonished by parental counsel and teaching of the wise, heeding the monitor that teaches obedience in thy heart, calling on the name of the Lord; behold thy blessing shall be as Samuel of old.Continue reading “Benjamin F. Johnson: Patriarchal Blessing of Alma Dayer LeBaron”