Hierarchy Origins: Mormonism BARED OPEN

In this spoiler-free book review, I examine D. Michael Quinn's 'The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power', which explores how the early Mormon movement evolved from a decentralized folk religion into a hierarchical priesthood system. Quinn traces Joseph Smith's initial visions and revelations, which lacked rigid structure, but gradually developed lineages of authority akin to biblical theocracies and monarchies. The book provides insights into the organizational dynamics that shaped Mormonism's ecclesiastical hierarchy over time and that has incredibly led to the success story that it is today.

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**SHOW NOTES**

1. D. Michael Quinn (1944–2018) was a historian of Mormonism known for his meticulous and controversial research. A Yale Ph.D., he authored The Mormon Hierarchy series and works on folk magic and LGBTQ+ history in the LDS Church. Excommunicated in 1980, his scholarship remains vital for understanding Mormon history.
2. Joseph Smith (1805–1844), founder of the LDS Church, emerged in New York’s “Burned-Over District,” a hub of religious experimentation. Claiming divine revelations, he published the Book of Mormon (1830), blending restorationist Christianity with unique doctrines. His leadership attracted both followers and controversy.
3. The same region and time that gave rise to Joseph Smith and Mormonism also spawned several other religious movements. The *Millerites*, founded by William Miller, emerged in the 1830s and predicted the imminent Second Coming of Christ, later influencing the development of the *Seventh-day Adventist Church*. The *Shakers*, known for their communal living and celibacy, thrived nearby, emphasizing simplicity and equality. Additionally, the *Oneida Community*, founded by John Humphrey Noyes, practiced "Bible communism" and complex marriage arrangements.
4. *Matthew 18:20*: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” While some interpret this as negating the need for a formal Church institution, the early Church Fathers understood this verse not as a rejection of the institutional Church but as an affirmation of its communal and sacramental nature. From their perspective, gathering “in Christ’s name” means adhering to the apostolic faith, sacraments, and authority established by Christ and His apostles, which are embodied in the visible, hierarchical Church.
5. The Bible suggests Israel’s ideal system was a theocracy, with God as King. 1 Samuel 8 describes the monarchy as a concession to human demands, marking a shift from divine leadership to flawed human governance.
6. Taqiya allows Muslims, especially Shias, to conceal their faith in persecution, rooted in the Quran (16:106). Historically used for survival, it is often misinterpreted but reflects Islam’s principle of self-preservation.
7. The Danites were a secretive Mormon paramilitary group (1838) formed to defend settlers in Missouri. Led by Sampson Avard and linked to Joseph Smith, they engaged in retaliatory violence, contributing to the Mormon War of 1838.
8. *James Strang* was a prominent figure in early Mormonism who founded the *Strangite sect* after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844. Strang claimed to be Smith's rightful successor and garnered a following by asserting that he had been ordained through divine revelation. He also claimed to have discovered a set of ancient metal plates, which he translated into the *Book of the Law of the Lord*, positioning it as a companion scripture to the Book of Mormon. In 1850, Strang declared himself king of his followers, establishing a theocratic monarchy on Beaver Island, Michigan. A staunch advocate of polygamy, he practiced and promoted it among his adherents, further alienating him from mainstream society and other Latter Day Saint factions. Strang's leadership ended abruptly in 1856 when he was assassinated by disaffected followers, leading to the decline of the Strangite movement, though a small number of adherents remain today.
9. *Brigham Young* (1801–1877) was a pivotal leader in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and played a key role in shaping its development. After the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, Young emerged as the second president of the church and led thousands of Mormon pioneers on a historic westward migration to escape persecution, ultimately settling in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Known for his pragmatic leadership and organizational skills, he established over 350 settlements across the western United States and oversaw the growth of Utah as a thriving religious and economic center. A staunch advocate of polygamy, Young practiced plural marriage and had over 50 wives, which became a defining and controversial aspect of his legacy.