Ross Wesley LeBaron, in January 1983
“He never, at any time I’m aware of, ever depended upon those who followed him to support him”, states DeWayne Hafen. An adopted son of Ross LeBaron, Hafen talks about why his priesthood leader lived in a storage shed and didn’t collect money from his followers, and reflects on the relationship with his own adopted sons.
Reference
Hafen, DeWayne. Interview given to Antonio Trevisan on April 20, 2014.
Joann Knight met Ross W. LeBaron in 1960. “He was a real good dancer and I really enjoyed dancing”, she recollects. She also thought he was “weird” and “had strange ideas” which later she got used to¹. A decade later, Joann was sealed to Ross. She defined her husband as “a gentleman” and “a wonderful person”. These are two excerpts from her personal journal.
Ross Wesley LeBaron in January, 1984. | Photo courtesy of Tom Green
Ervil LeBaron died at the prison today, August 16, 1981. I was out at Ross’s when we received word via telephone from Rhea Kunz that Verlan LeBaron was killed in a car wreck in Mexico City. Ross told me […] that he didn’t want me to stay at the warehouse² at night any longer. He’s quite worried about there being some trouble over Ervil Lebaron’s and Verlan’s deaths. Nothing’s happened so far, so Ross has relaxed a little. I stay out there occasionally.
Ross predicted an earthquake on July 14, 1982 between 11 am and 12, noon. It didn’t happen, thank goodness. He has made several predictions. Something always does happen pertaining to what he has predicted but it isn’t what I think it will happen. On his radio talk show on KTalk, on July 8 1992 it was really interesting. California has a lot of earthquakes but not us. There have been some here in Utah but nothing really major. I guess if you lived near the epic center it would be major to you.
Notes
1. Interview given to Antonio Trevisan on April 24, 2014. Joann Knight was 79 years old at the date.
2. Storage containers in which Ross LeBaron was living at the time. Joann Knight lived in a separate house.
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Portrait of Joseph Smith Jr., unknown artist, circa 1842. | Photo courtesy of the Community of Christ.
REVELATION given to Ross W. LeBaron, at Kingman, Ariz., April 1940. At the time I was working for Uncle Conway LeBaron. He was painting the Masonic temple there.
He read to me a small tract or leaflet, on the attributes of the Holy Ghost published by the Church.
It stated that the Holy Ghost was a male spirit; the same as any other of God’s spirit sons before they took mortal bodies upon this earth; and that he would some day be born and go through trials similar to those of the Savior. Continue reading
Robert Rey Black was an associate of Ross W. LeBaron in The Church of the Firstborn. In the following essay, Black recollects his interactions with the presiding council of the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) over temple ordinances, in 1978. Black claims that, under the authority of Ross LeBaron, he attempted to teach and perform the temple ordinances to the AUB leaders, until the rituals’ texts were allegedly purchased by the AUB from Fred C. Collier.
Architectural sketch of the Kirtland Temple. | Image: Historic American Buildings Survey
Statement Concerning Circumstances Surrounding the Commencement of Temple Ordinances by the Apostolic United Brethren (Allred Group)
11-19-2011
In view of the fact that history sometimes has a way of being lost or rewritten over time, I feel it may be of interest to record certain events which occurred concerning circumstances surrounding the commencement of Temple ordinances by the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB), also known as the Allred Group. In no way is this statement intended to be disrespectful towards that organization, but on the contrary, will hopefully be appreciated by all those interested in history, including members of the AUB. No doubt, this is not the complete background to how the AUB leadership began performing Temple ordinances for their members, but a full understanding of that background would be incomplete without this piece of the puzzle. Please forgive any errors, they are unintentional.
Since 1975 I have been an ordained Patriarch in the Church of the Firstborn, a Mormon Fundamentalist group which claims the Priesthood keys were been passed down to Ross Wesley LeBaron through his father Alma Dayer LeBaron, Benjamin F. Johnson, and Joseph Smith. In 1976 I had a friend interested in joining a United Order in Salt Lake City led by a man named John Bryant, who was a member of the AUB. This
friend of mine asked me what I knew about Bryant. Because I didn’t really know anything about him I called members of the AUB Priesthood Council to ask them about him. Although we differed on points of doctrine concerning who had the presiding Priesthood keys, I was acquainted and on friendly terms with most of the leadership of the AUB. Everyone I spoke to, with the exception of George Maycock, told me that as far as they were concerned, Bryant was a good man and that his United Order would probably be a good fit for my friend. George assumed that Bryant was possessed of an evil spirit because he had missed more than three Priesthood meetings in a row. I related all this information to my friend, who chose to join with Bryant due to his desire to live in a United Order. Continue reading
Ogie’s Cafe, in West Valley, UT meeting place for Ross LeBaron’s Church of the Firstborn in the 1990’s. | Photo: Antonio Trevisan
“Steve, do you know why the planets stay in orbit?,” Ross LeBaron asked. In this interview, Steve McKinley tells about meeting Ross LeBaron for the first time and his teachings about agency.
Reference
McKinley, Steve. Interview given to Antonio Trevisan on April 11, 2014.
In its November 30, 1944 edition, The Improvement Era announced the excommunication of Ross Wesley LeBaron and his wife Thelma Elena Cox LeBaron. Their names were part of a list of 33 men and women who had been excommunicated from the LDS Church in the previous months of 1944. The Church magazine stated they had been both excommunicated on April 18, in the Third Ward, Liberty Stake (Southeast area of Salt Lake City, Utah). By the time, Ross and Thelma had been married for about eight years. The couple later separated.
Three of Ross LeBaron’s siblings were also listed: Ervil M. LeBaron, Alma Dayer LeBaron and Benjamin T. LeBaron. Their excommnication had occurred in June that year, in the Mexican Mission. The magazine might have missed another LeBaron though: Joel LeBaron.
Joel and Ervil LeBaron were serving as LDS missionaries in Mexico when they learned of Alma being on church trial. They abandoned their mission to go to the aid of their brother and were both excommunicated on the same date. This picture of the Mexican Mission, taken in 1943, includes Joel and Ervil LeBaron. Continue reading
Passport Picture of Alma Dayer LeBaron and Maud Lucinda McDonald LeBaron, 1920. Children, from left to right: Ben, Alma, Ross, Irene, Lucinda, Jenny. | Photo courtesy of stephanyspencer.com
There are three 60-year periods in Mormonism. One for Joseph Smith. One for Oliver Cowdery or Hyrum Smith, because they both held the same keys. The third 60-year period relates to the keys given in the Nauvoo temple after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. These keys were kept secret. These are keys of the Adamic Dispensation. You can read about it in section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants, verses 25-28. It says the Nauvoo temple was built for the Most High God to come to, or dwell in. It said that he will receive the fulness of the priesthood, that which had been lost to ancient Israel. Continue reading
The fulness of the priesthood and his ordination by his father in 1950 are explained by Ross W. LeBaron in the following excerpt of Priesthood Expounded.
“The Priest King lineage of Christ came down through a son of Mary Magdalene”, wrote Ross LeBaron. Photo: Stained glass, Kilmore Church, Dervaig, Isle of Mull, Scotland.
THE FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
D. & C. 124:28
To understand the doctrine of the priesthood, it is necessary to have the knowledge that Adam is God, and that he is the father of Jesus Christ in the Flesh.
The priesthood that relates to Adam and the ancient Patriarchs is called the Holy Order of God. The presiding patriarch, of the Holy Order of God, holds the fulness of the priesthood.
The presiding patriarch of the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God holds the fulness of that order of Priesthood. Christ held the patriarchal office in the Church in his day.
Joseph Smith was given the patriarchal keys over his dispensation, by Moses, Elias and Elijah, April 3rd, 1836. This gave Joseph Smith the authority to bestow all the endowments of the House of the Lord upon all of his people in his dispensation.
Doctrine and Covenants Sec. 124:28, shows that the fulness of the priesthood, was to be restored in the Nauvoo Temple. This priesthood was conferred upon Benjamin F. Johnson.
This fulness of the priesthood appointment to Benjamin F. Johnson did not give him authority over Brigham Young, for it was the times of the Gentiles.
The Keys pertaining to the fulness of the patriarchal priesthood were given to Alma Dayer LeBaron Sr. Shortly before the death of Patriarch Benjamin F. Johnson.
The term, “Fulness of the Priesthood” can not be understood unless a person has the knowledge that “Adam” is God the Father; which doctrine was plainly taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Melchizedek Priesthood, which is after the order of the Holy Order of God, is the Fulness of the Priesthood. The fulness of the patriarchal order of priesthood is the fulness of the melchizedek priesthood.
The Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God does not comprehend the higher patriarchal keys restored in the Kirtland Temple April 3rd, 1836, by Moses, Elias and Elijah.
As Adam is above Christ, the Patriarchal Order is above the Apostolic Order of the Melchizedek priesthood.
The “28th verse”, D. & C. Sec. 124, shows that Joseph Smith did not have the authority to restore the Patriarchal authority to the House of Israel that relates to their dispensation.
The Nauvoo Temple was being built to restore the fulness of the patriarchal priesthood to the patriarchal heir of Ephraim, and Joseph Smith knew that he would die before it was finished.
It is the highest patriarchal authority held by the highest patriarchal heir. The Presiding Patriarch of the Holy Order of God holds these keys when fully endowed. They do not belong to the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.
Joseph Smith held these keys over Hyrum Smith although Hyrum was the Patriarch of the Church. The sealing power of Elijah is the highest authority that can be obtained by descent and belongs to the patriarchal order of priesthood.
The grand reason the Nauvoo Temple was constructed was to restore the Fullness of the Priesthood to the Patriarchal Heir of Ephraim. This heir of the Fullness of the Priesthood was none other than one of Joseph Smith’ bosom friends, Benjamin F. Johnson.
The Scepter was given to Christ, but the patriarchal right of Ephraim was not. Joseph Smith was the heir of Jesus Christ; which lineage had not been given the right of the Patriarchal order from Seth.
May, 1950.
Again my father came to visit me, this time he brought my brother Verlan. They arrived in the evening and stayed over night.
As I was awaking the next morning a voice plainly told me, “Your father will not confer upon you the birthright, ask him for the authority to go ahead with the patriarchal work in his stead, the honor is in the work, not the title”.
When I entered the living room, my father and Verlan were about ready to leave. I ask my father for the authority to go ahead with the patriarchal work in his stead, as the time was here for the work to begin, and his health was failing.
He raised his hands to the square saying, “Your hands are freed, go ahead as the Lord inspires you, and Verlan here is a witness that I give you this authority”
He then instructed me not to lay anything I did to him, that it was to be independent of him. He also warned me not to spend all my time at it, lest I become like my brother Ben.
April 3, 1951
On awaking, I received a revelation to go to Joseph W. Musser and have the patriarchal priesthood confirmed, as given to me by my father on March 8, 1950. Bro. Musser confirmed my calling. Thus, in one way, ending the Times of the Gentiles.
Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next. TPJS page 158.
All that you need to know is that a Patriarch is above a High Priest, and you know that Joseph Smith is telling you that Adam is God.
The Savior says that Adam is his Father. TPJS page 158; par 1.
Adam held the priesthood before the creation. TPJS page 157:1, Jesus Christ received his Priesthood on this earth.
When the Keys of the Priesthood are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority. TPJS page 157., par 2. Here again we have the Adam God doctrine.
Adam is the Father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men. TPJS page 157, par 3. This shows Adam to be our Father in Heaven.
Noah is next in line to become an adam; even before Christ of [or] Joseph Smith. Ross W. LeBaron
THE FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
D&C 124:28
No one will ever understand the term, “Fulness of the Priesthood”, unless they understand the, “Adam God doctrine”, as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith among his inner circle of friends.
All priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are various portions or degrees of it. The Melchizedek Priesthood of the, “Holy Order of God”, is the, “Fulness of the Priesthood”.
The Melchizedek Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God, is not the, Fulness of the Priesthood.
Peter, James and John, did not restore the priesthood of the Holy Order of God; it was restored in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836, by Moses, Elias and Elijah.
There are two lines of Melchizedek Priesthood coming down from Adam; both are by descent. One is through Seth, and the other is from Abel. The priesthood through Seth is the Holy Order of God and is higher than the Holy Order of the Son of God held by Abel.
Never since the dispensation of Abraham has the patriarchal heir line of Seth been honored in presiding over a dispensation. Moses and Jesus Christ both presided under the authority of the Holy priesthood after the order of the Son of God.
Joseph Smith held the priesthood of the Holy Order of God the Testator, which pattern is the same as the priesthood of the Son.
The melchizedek Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, does not include the authority restored in the Kirtland Temple, by Moses, Elias and Elijah.
This is a plainly established fact, showing the Patriarchal order of Adam, to be above the Apostolic order of Christ, even in the times of the Gentiles, when under the rule of the Holy Priesthood of the Son of God.
Joseph Smith said, “We find the apostles endowed with greater power than John: their office was more under the spirit and power of Elijah than Elias”. The calling of Elijah was patriarchal. TPJS page 336.
It was the patriarchal Keys, which were restored in the Kirtland Temple, that gave the Apostles the highest authority ever held on earth. It is the sealing power of the patriarchal priesthood that should be traced, not the worthy Senior Apostle. An Apostle is under the authority of the one who ordains him.
God has promised that he would restore to Israel, the Fulness of the Priesthood and the power which she has a right to by lineage.
I find no record in Church history where those Keys were Conferred; although Benjamin F. Johnson claimed that he held them, and that there were things that he could not reveal in relation to them.
THE FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
D&C 124:28
Adam is God the Father. His priesthood is called, “The Holy Order of God”. This priesthood ruled from the days of Adam until the dispensation of Moses.
Jesus Christ is God the Son. His priesthood is called, “The Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God”. This priesthood was in power during the dispensations of both Moses and Christ.
Joseph Smith is God the Holy Ghost. His priesthood is called “The Holy priesthood after the order of God the Testator”. This priesthood authority ended April 6, 1950.
In order that all dispensations might have a fulness of the endowment of the House of the Lord, ancient prophets came and restored special blessings that belonged only to the ancient patriarchal order of Adam.
When this ancient patriarchal priesthood of Adam is restored in full, Adam will be here to control it in person.
Joseph Smith did not have the authority to restore to Israel that which she had a right to by lineage which was taken away, or she had lost.
The express purpose for the building of the Nauvoo Temple was to restore the “Fulness of; the Priesthood”, to the patriarchal heir of Ephraim.
This, “Heir of Adam”, through Seth, was none other than the Patriarch Benjamin F. Johnson, and adopted son and brother in law to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
There is an “Aaronic Priesthood”, which relates to the “Holy Order of God”, an Aaronic Priesthood order which belongs to the Holy Order of the Son of God, and an Aaronic Priesthood related to the Priesthood dispensation of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Aaronic priesthood of the dispensation of Moses was of the Order of the Son of God. An angel conferred upon John the Baptist the Aaronic priesthood of the Order of Adam, or the Holy order of God the Father. It was by this higher priesthood of Aaron that John wrested the Kingdom from the Jews and bestowed it upon the Savior.
The Priest King lineage of Christ came down through a son of Mary Magdalene. The LeBaron family is of that Lineage.
A sister of Benjamin F. Johnson, “Esther”, was sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith as his head wife. She was the mother of Benjamin F. LeBaron, who was the first generation patriarchal Heir of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Benjamin F. LeBaron married a daughter of Benjamin F. Johnson, bringing two bloodlines of Ephraim to Alma Dayer LeBaron Sr. A son of Benjamin F. LeBaron.
Benjamin F. LeBaron received his Second Anointings in the Salt Lake Temple in 1916, under the hands of Anthon H. Lund. To be a Priest and King relates to the patriarchal order of Adam.
Reference
LeBaron, Ross Wesley. Priesthood Expounded. Self-published. Salt Lake, 1985, p. 02-05.
In the following excerpt of Priesthood Expounded, published in 1985, Ross W. LeBaron writes about the restoration of priesthood keys he believed took place in the Nauvoo temple.
THE THIRD MAN
B. F. JOHNSON
The Prophet Elijah appeared, with others, in the Kirtland Temple April 3, 1836 conferring patriarchal authority upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, who already held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, in connection with the Holy Priesthood of the Son of God.
Joseph Smith prophesied that Elijah would come again and restore the same priesthood on another man, before the last dispensation, or in the dispensation of the Fulness of Times. Continue reading
Joseph White Musser (sitting), circa 1940. Musser (1872-1954) was one of the main leaders of the Fundamentalist movement and senior member of the “Priesthood Council”.
REVELATION given to patriarch Ross W. LeBaron, at the home of H. Chase Kimball, in Salt Lake City, April 3rd, 1951. My father had recently passed away, and I was concerned over what course to follow in connection with the patriarchal work he had given me in the spring of 1950, and received the following revelation:
Thus saith the Lord; Go unto my servant Joseph W. Musser and have your patriarchal keys which you received from your father confirmed: for he is the only man among the Fundamentalists that has sufficient authority to do so; for he has received his second anointings and holds the fullness of the priesthood.
I called the home of Bro. Musser; one of his wives answered the phone, and I asked for an appointment to see him: but she informed me that he was not feeling well.
