Religion: Reorganized Mormons

A great congress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last fortnight celebrated the centennial of Mormonism in Salt Lake City, capital of Mormondom (TIME, April 7). A great congress of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also celebrated the same centennial in fast-growing Independence, Mo., capital of Reorganized Mormondom.

Not to be confused with Mormondom is Reorganized Mormondom. The former’s hosts number 700,000; the latter ‘s 100,000. But the Reorganized Church claims to be the legal successor of the original Mormon church as founded by Prophet Joseph Smith.

In 1831 Founder Smith led a group of Mormons out of Ohio into Missouri, set tled in Independence (Jackson County), historic point of departure for wagon-trains taking the Santa Fe, Old Salt Lake and Oregon trails. He proclaimed the new Jerusalem. Two years later the Mormons were brusquely ushered out of the county, scattered through the state.

In 1844 Founder Smith was martyred, shot down by his persecutors. A Mormon faction repudiated the leadership and sun dry policies (including polygamy) of his successor, Brigham Young. In 1860 Joseph Smith, son of Founder Smith, be came first president of this group’s Re organized Church. Seven years later numerous Reorganized families went back to Independence, where headquarters were established.

President Joseph Smith died in 1914, was succeeded (1915) in turn by his son, the grandson of Founder Smith. This grandson, Frederick Madison Smith, 56, mathematician, scholar, is still President of the Reorganized Church. He is regarded by his followers as the dynastic successor of the great Prophet and Founder of all Mormonism.

In organization the Church of Independence is similar to the Church of Salt Lake City. Similar is it also in other ways. The population of Independence is approximately 13,000. Last fortnight for the first time, some 7,000 Reorganized Mormons crowded into a brand new, spacious $1,000,000 tabernacle where elaborate services were held with President Smith and 200 ministers officiating. Soaring from a hilltop, the domed towers of this fane testify for miles around that the thrifty industry of Reorganized Mormondom, as well as Mormondom, has paid.