Morrisite Letters
"Preserve all my writings carefully. A day is coming and in it they will be
wanted. Shame will cover him that destroys them."
Cainan, Aug 16, 1877
Ledger Book from 1890's of Cainans Letters
Both the Baha'i religion and Mormon religion developed roughly contemporaneously in the 19th century, one in America the other in Persia. The Baha'i view of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, is related as viewing him as a "seer" that is in Arabic, کاهن [ar. 'kahin', hw. 'cohen', en. 'priest']. It is related by Baha'i authors:
Smith may, however, have been a “seer”—someone of unusual spiritual insight—who was attuned to the spiritual currents of the time. Ramona Brown records in her notes that Shoghi Effendi remarked, “Joseph Smith was a seer, not a Prophet of God, neither major nor minor Prophet.” The Universal House of Justice writes of Joseph Smith that “he was a religious teacher sensitive to the spiritual currents flowing in the early 19th century” (from a letter written on its behalf, 7 Feb. 1977). https://bahai-studies.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/3.2-Collins.pdf
Perhaps, Shoghi Effendi was aware of the Mormon belief of Joseph Smith as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek and was relating it to his knowledge of that position. 'And the king said that a a seer is greater than a prophet.' Mosiah 8:15 in Book of Mormon
The question of succession to Joseph Smith was mostly settled by Brigham Young and the Quorum of the 12 becoming the leaders of the LDS church after the brutal assassination of Joseph Smith, although other branches of Mormonism were led by his descendants and others claimed to have received prophecies also claimed succession. Joseph Morris was a Mormon Prophet and reformer, specifically against plural marriage, that was killed in a conflict with the state of Utah militia, after taking over a fort for his believers in Weber, UT. One claimant to prophethood after Morris was George Williams ("Cainan"), the founder of the deliberately small Church of the Saints of the Most High, also known as the Church of the First Born in Deer Lodge, MT, teaching the coming of Jesus the High Priest, 7th Angel in Montana. In summer of 2011 after the Rainbow gathering I journeyed to Logan, UT where at the Utah State University there is an archive of the Prophecies of Joseph Morris and George Williams. It was discovered that several of the writings have been either lost or deliberately removed from what is supposed to be a secure archive. Aside from those missing letters and prophecies of George Williams I am able to share with you the letters of George Williams and some from Joseph Morris. The significance of these letters to the BUPC is that the BUPC holds that George Williams foretold the advent of Dr. Leland Jensen in the role of the 7th Angel and return of Jesus as the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, not to be confused with the return of Christ which is another personage. The lineage of the Church of the Firstborn follows Joseph Smith, Joseph Morris to George Williams, with Eardley succeeding Williams. The last remaining Firstborn members ended the chuch in 1969 with adherents either becoming mainline Protestants or joing the LDS church in Deer Lodge. There is no direct connection between the Firstborn church and the BUPC, whose adherents do not recognize Joseph Smith as a Prophet, which seems to be a contradiction while claiming that a Mormon prophet foretold Dr. Jensen, while not recognizing their teachings as legitimate.
Prophecies from George Wiliams ("Cainan"), revealed from 1862-1881, interpreted by adherents of the BUPC to foretell the coming of Jesus the High Priest, Dr. Leland Jensen:
1. will appear in Deer Lodge, MT (Cainan to Bro. James and Saints of Montana, Jan 6th, 1879)
2. is seen as a prisoner by a hidden process in Deer Lodge, MT (Cainan to Bro. James, Oct 10, 1876)
3. is to appear after men regularly travel by flight (Cainan to Bro. James and Saints of Montana, Jan 6th, 1879)
4. is of Danish descent, appears as a King stripped of royalty and introduced into abject poverty with a group of poor men holding iron bars in their hands [i.e. prisoners] (Cainan to Bro. Rasmusson, April 1873)
5. will appear from the Southeast direction of the House of the Lord in Race Track, MT [Dr. Jensen is from directly southeast Joplin, MO] (Cainan to Bro. James, July 13th, 1876)
6. will preach about the Pyramids (Cainan to Bro. Erasmussen Dec. 27, 1881) and follow God's Covenant with strict adherence, the Druze also prophecy that their Lord will preach about the Pyramids on his return.
7. will appear on or near the date Aug. 9th according to the BUPC, this was a traditional feast day for the Saints although the last remaining Saints do not know it's origin, their very last feast on this day coincided with Dr. Jensen's start of imprisonment in Deer Lodge Prison, Aug. 9, 1969.
8. some may consider the prophecy of the Nation of Azareth (March 26, 1879), possibly Hebrew Aseret for "ten" which is used in the Bible for Ten Tribes (hebrew, aseret hashevatim) which seems to indicate a correlation with the Rainbow Gatherings, which has become central to the second generation of BUPC adherents, almost all adherents enter through the Rainbow Family]
Files from Box 4 showing notice of missing prophetic letters. (files are also missing from Box 5)
History of Archives
The archive at Utah State University was prepared by Sociology professor C. Leroy Anderson Ph.d. He wrote a book about the Morrisites. The original letters are not known to exist. The members of the Church of the Saints of the Most High collected the letters hand copied them and passed them around from member to member. Several ledger books of letters where copied by Professor Anderson for his book. The typed and copied editions of these letters were then placed in the archives at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. The members of the BUPC did not become aware of them until 1990 when Neal Chase was doing research at the prison in Deer Lodge. A small group of BUPC members including Neal Chase and Glenn Goldman then traveled to USU to examine the archives. In March 1997 some of the letters were reported missing post publication of claims made by the BUPC regarding the letters as prophecy of the coming of Jesus the High Priest, Dr. Leland Jensen. Dr. Anderson is a secular scholar and does not support the claims of the BUPC regarding these letters as prophecies about Dr. Leland Jensen, Dr. Anderson never examined them for their religious content but rather only for their impact on the social lives of the members of the church. (Conversation with Anderson, 7/9/2011, Lolo, MT). The letters are reproduced here based on Dr. Anderson's copies of the ledger books from the various members of the Church of the Saints of the Most High in Deer Lodge, MT. One small book was published by members of the Church of the Saints of the Most High, the Gems of Inspiration (1898).
Call for letter collection:
I am actively seeking any further letters not already in the collection. If you know of authentic letters of Cainan please contact mmccarr1@mail.ccsf.edu
George Williams ("Cainan")
George William's Timeline:
1855 arrives in Salt Lake City works as a farmer, member of Mormon Church
1862, April 15 George Williams has a divine vision while riding his horse
1862, August 25-27 George Williams is instructed by celestial beings and John the Revelator and forbidden to communicate some of what is revealed to him
1862, autumn Begins proselytizing about his Prophetic calling to Morrisites, "A Description of Interviews with Celestial Beings", April 15, 1862
1863, Aug 12, visits Morrisite colonies in Soda Springs, ID
1863-1869 lives in Salt Lake, Utah
1867 Vision of Mahomet
1868 Feels threatened farming in Utah and makes plans to initially move to Deer Lodge Valley but returns to England in 1869
1869 known to be in Norfolk, England
1870-71 known to be in Loughboro, England
1872, Feb in London
1872 Sends mission to Sultan of the Ottaman Empire
1872, April returns to Loughboro
1873 in Loughboro, Ashby by Brigg, and Stockport (works as a laborer), April has Vision of the Danish King
1874 known to be in Ashby by Brigg
1875-82 in Walthamstow
1876 writes prophecy in poetic form of imprisoned High Priest
1879 prophecy of Deer Lodge beautified in the future, place of Jesus the High Priests return; prophecy of the nation of Azareth (aseret? Ten Tribes?)
1881 prophecy on pyramidology [1865 first measurements of Great Pyramid published, Robert Menzies]
1882 John Eardley appointed successor by George Williams
1899 John Eardley publishes only known book about Joseph Morris and George Williams from an emic view, "The Gems of Inspiration" [rare book]
1969 Last remaining Morrisites in Deer Lodge Valley disband church on Aug. 9th a traditional Feast Day, same day Dr. Leland Jensen begins prison life in Deer Lodge, MT
Corrections:
There are three citation errors in the works promulgated by the BUPC regarding these letters:
1. It has been related that in the Vision of Muhammad that Cainan hears the phrase "Allah Abbah", this is a copy error the actual journal entry reads "Allah Allah".
2. The year citation for the imprisonment prophecy from the poem "The High Priesthoods Return" (now lost or stolen from archive) was reported by Neal Chase as circa 1870, it's actual year of publication is Oct. 10, 1876.
3. BUPC literature claims that Aug. 9th was the expected date of the return of Jesus the High Priest, this is not verifiable because the interview it is based on the participants have no clear recollection of the purpose of the feast day aside from that it was a feast day. [cf. "Beck Interview" in USU Archive Box 2 Folder 2]
Annotations:
Images of the archive copies of letters that are typed have notes and underlining. These annotations are the work of Dr. Anderson and not part of the original letters. You will notice that they all seem to deal with issues of succession and social relationships between the members of the Church, which is normative for a Sociological, rather then Anthropological, study of these letters. My study of these letters is from a holistic anthropological perspective rather then a limited view of social constructs which a sociological analysis would give, I use Dr. Bernardo Cuellar's (Ph.d Anthropology UCLA) Multi-Dimensional Human Systems Model as my system of analysis for social scientific research.
Citations:
Anderson, C. LeRoy "Joseph Morris and the Saga of the Morrisites (revisited)", Utah State University, Logan, UT 2010
Anderson, C. LeRoy "Conversation July 9th, 2011", Lolo, MT at personal residence of Dr. Anderson
Current Letters in this Collection:
listed by box and folder in USU archive [I have 71 of 76 known letters in my personal collection]
Box 3 Folder 7
Feb 1874 Bro. James
Box 3 Folder 8
Nov 1865 James Dove & John Eardley Great Salt Lake
"But in the Temples, we will be instructed in celestial wisdom, and as the faithful advance, they shall learn, with me, the importance of walking as on tiptoe, handing out the treasures entrusted to their ministrations; for they are destined to rub on every side against the introductions of false, degrading institutions that have lived and interwoven a mass of confusion and suffering throughout the whole human element, shutting out even a glimmering knowledge of the unbounded love and interest that obtain universally in the Heavens towards the race, especially those who are training to associate in their councils eternally. One has said “Ear hath not herd, nor eye seen, nor the spirit conceived the glorious inheritances awaiting those who love our God, willing to engage in his righteous purposes.” Daniel had an indistinct, yet truthful sight of our day and in ecstasies has declared it. Walk up, ye Saints of the Most High, to the certain realizations, in your own person, of your high and holy positions before the universe."
Jan 4, 1865 Saint James & John Great Salt Lake
Feb 24, 1865 Saint James & John Great Salt Lake
July 4, 1865 Saint James Dove & John Eardley Great Salt Lake
Aug 21, 1865 Bro Davies Great Salt Lake
Box 3 Folder Unknown [probably folder 9]
Aug. 28, 1863 Soda Springs, ID
March 1864, Utah
Aug 15, 1864 My Dear Grow Great Salt Lake
Oct 1864 Bro Wadman Great Salt Lake
Nov 29, 1864 St. James & St. John Eardley Great Salt Lake
Oct 10, 1876 Walthamstow
May 10, 1875 SIs Margerett Thomas Walthamstow
Box 3 Folder 10
Dec 29, 1867 Bro John Great Salt Lake
Sept 15, 1867 Bro James Great Salt Lake
Feb 14, 1868 Bro James Great Salt Lake
June 16, 1868 Saints of Montana Great Salt Lake
Aug 28, 1868 Brethren and Sis. Great Salt Lake "Cainan's mission is to prepare a race, a church, a holy assembly of Kings, rulers, governors, to form congresses to rule, to govern, all these different bodies of religionists in Eternity...."
Box 3 Folder 11
Aug 17, 1869 Saints of Omaha Norfolk
10 Jan 1870 Saints of Montana Loughboro
Jan 14, 1870 Saints of Denmark & Montana
Sept 26, 1870 James Loughboro
Box 3 Folder 12
Feb 7th, 1871 My Dear Bro. Robert (Ford) Loughboro
Nov 8th, 1871 To the Saints of the Most High in Montana Loughboro
Box 3 Folder 13
Dec 18, 1872 Sis Margarett & daughers Loughboro
Feb 24, 1872 Bro Almerin ["sis Margarett guided by Holy Spirit] Belgrave Sq. London
April 12, 1872 Saints of the Most High in Montana Loughboro
August 1872 To the Saints of the Most High Loughboro
Sept 5, 1871 Bro James Eardley & Saints of the Most High
Nov 23, 1872 Dear Bro John Loughboro
Dec 6, 1872 Bro Eardley Loughboro
Box 3 Folder 14
July 24, 1873 Dear Sis Thomas Ashby by Brigg
April 1873 Bro Rasmusson ["vision of the Danish King"] Ashby by Brigg
Jan 4, 1873 Bro Eardley Loughboro
Apr 12, 1873 unknown ["metempsychosis"] Stockport
July 5, 1873 Bro Eardley
April 1873 Bro Rasmussen [ablutions] Ashby by Brigg
Box 3 Folder 15
Feb 1874 Bro Jamess Ashby by Brigg
March 29, 1874 Bro Rasmussen
May 6, 1874 Bro James [two stakes, St. Anne Hill Record Ch. 53] Ashby by Brigg
July 10, 1874 Bro Eardley & Moss
Sept 1874 Bro James & Saints Ashby by Brigg
Box 3 Folder 16
July 13, 1876 Dear Bro James [house dedication] Walthamstow
1876 My Dear Bro James Walthamstow
Box 3 Folder 17
Jan 22, 1877 Bro James [Female High Priestesses for each stake] Walthamstow
Apr 3, 1877 Bro James [Walla Walla Jesus; Mountain Meadows Massacre] Walthamstow
Aug 16, 1877 Bro James ["preserve my writings"] Walthamstow
Oct 12, 1877 James & Hendrickson & Saints of Montana Walthamstow
Box 3 Folder 18
Aug 28th, 1878 Bro. Hendrickson Walthamstow
Oct 9, 1878 Bro Eardley Walthamstow
1879 Bro James Eardley ["city of the Great King to be built in Montana"] Walthamstow
Box 3 Folder 19
June 13, 1880 Bro Eardley Walthamstow
June 21, 1880 Bro Eardley Walthamstow
Feb 17, 1881 George Thompson Granby
Dec 27, 1881 Brother Erasmussen [pyramidology, pure language, secret doctrines] Walthamstow
Jan 29, 1882 Dear Brethren [Lords supper] Walthamstow
March 16, 1882 Eardley [his appointment letter as head of church after Cainan's death] Walthamstow
Jan 6, 1879 Eardley & Montana Saints [source of Anderson quote in Morrisite book] Walthamstow
Box 4 Folder 11 [of 4 folders listed as containing letters of George Williams this was the only folder with content, empty: 10,12, 14]
Jan 22, 1877 Bro James Walthamstow
Dec 10, 1876 Bro James Walthamstow
June 21, 1880 Bro James Walthamstow
July 13, 1876 Bro James Walthamstow
Aug 1872 Saints of Montana Loughboro
Sept 5, 1871 Bro James [on revelation, estates, Enoch] Loughboro
July 5, 1873 Unknown [on migration to England in ancient times by land bridge] Great Portwood
Oct 10, 1876 Sis Thomas Walthamstow
Jan 10 1870, Montana Saints Loughboro
June 13, 1880 Bro Eardley Walthamstow
Box 5 Folder 13
undated Bible Verses for study (cursive ledger pages)
Box 6 Folder 1 Cursive Ledger Book editions
Jan 22, 1872 Bro Almerin
Unknown
Feb 27, 1872 Bro Almerin Belgrave Square London
Sept 26, 1870 Saints of Montana Loughboro
Aug 29, 1868 Bro & Sis Great Salt Lake
Unknown
Nov 8, 1871 Saints of Montana
Box 6 Vol 2
1882 Jansen Journal (contains Vision of Mahomet)
Box 5 Folder 11
1st Interview with Celestial Beings (which can also be found in "Gems of Inspiration")
Unknown (sorry sloppy record keeping)
26 Sept 1870 (sis Margaret appointed female High Priest) Loughboro
August 9, 1865 Dear James and John [Eardley]:
"And as your assemblies grow, let your preaching be the Temple building—the records to come forth—the coming of the servant of the Lord—dividing the Priesthoods—setting in order the glorious House of God. I deem it necessary to send you Canian's interviews for your own judgments to exercise thereon, comparing these with the first calls of any other authorized servant of God in any age. Let them not be common; the time is not yet come."
Dr. Anderson's Home Collection [not given opportunity to copy these letters, no prophecies in this collection, just things only a sociologist would find important]
April 16, 1866 Dear John unknown
April 30, 1866 John Eardley unknown
Aug 4, 1866 unknown
1872 Bro. Eardley Loughboro
The entire letters archive is being scanned, part 1 is now available, email mmccarr1@mail.ccsf.edu if you would like a copy.