William Bickerton, English-American religious leader, 3rd President of the Church of Jesus Christ (d. 1905)

William Bickerton (January 15, 1815 – February 17, 1905) stands as a pivotal figure in the complex history of the Latter Day Saint movement, particularly in the turbulent period following the assassination of its founder, Joseph Smith, in 1844. This monumental event triggered a profound succession crisis, fragmenting the burgeoning religious movement into numerous factions, each vying for leadership and claiming to be the legitimate continuation of Smith’s original vision. Bickerton emerged as a significant leader during this tumultuous era, advocating for a distinct path forward for the Saints.

The Aftermath of the 1844 Succession Crisis

The death of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844, plunged the nascent Latter Day Saint movement into a deep crisis regarding who held the spiritual and organizational authority to lead. Several prominent figures, including Brigham Young of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sidney Rigdon, Smith's First Counselor, asserted their claims. This period saw a significant dispersion of followers as different groups aligned with various leaders, leading to the formation of numerous distinct denominations within the broader Latter Day Saint tradition.

William Bickerton, originally converted to the Church of Christ by Sidney Rigdon in 1845, initially followed Rigdon after the succession crisis. However, as Rigdon's own movement began to wane and internal disagreements arose, particularly concerning theological interpretations and leadership styles, Bickerton found himself at a crossroads. He was profoundly influenced by his interpretations of early Latter Day Saint scriptures and felt compelled to establish a community that, in his view, more faithfully adhered to the original principles established by Joseph Smith, specifically rejecting practices such as polygamy which had begun to emerge within some factions of the movement.

Founding The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)

In 1862, after years of personal reflection, evangelization, and gathering a devoted following primarily in Pennsylvania and Ohio, William Bickerton officially organized a distinct religious body. This organization, formally known today as The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite), saw Bickerton become its founding president. This act solidified his role as a significant figure in the post-1844 Latter Day Saint landscape, establishing one of the more enduring branches of the movement.

The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) distinguishes itself by asserting its direct continuation of the Church of Christ, which Joseph Smith founded on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York. This claim is central to its identity, positioning itself as the true spiritual and organizational successor to Smith's original church. It emphasizes adherence to the foundational scriptures, including the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon, while notably rejecting doctrinal innovations and practices that emerged in other Latter Day Saint groups, most prominently polygamy and certain temple ordinances unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

A Branch of the Restoration Movement

It is important to understand that The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) is one of many Christian denominations that emerged from the Latter Day Saint movement following the 1844 schism. Each of these churches, often referred to collectively as the "Restoration Movement," claims to represent the authentic continuation of Joseph Smith's original church and his efforts to restore what they believe to be ancient Christianity. Prominent examples include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah), the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, headquartered in Independence, Missouri), and numerous smaller, independent groups.

William Bickerton’s church, with its current headquarters in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, represents a significant and distinct trajectory within this multifaceted religious landscape. His enduring legacy lies in his leadership in preserving what he and his followers believed to be the pure principles of the early Latter Day Saint faith, offering an alternative pathway for those who did not align with other post-crisis leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions About William Bickerton and The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)

Who was William Bickerton?

William Bickerton (1815-1905) was an influential leader in the Latter Day Saint movement who, after the critical succession crisis of 1844, founded and became the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) in 1862.

What was the 1844 succession crisis?

The 1844 succession crisis refers to the period of leadership disputes and fragmentation within the Latter Day Saint movement following the assassination of its founder, Joseph Smith, and his brother Hyrum in June 1844. This event led to multiple groups claiming to be the legitimate successors, including those led by Brigham Young, Sidney Rigdon, and later, William Bickerton.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)?

The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) is a distinct denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement that claims to be a direct continuation of the Church of Christ established by Joseph Smith in 1830. Founded by William Bickerton in 1862, it primarily emphasizes adherence to early Latter Day Saint doctrines and notably rejects polygamy and certain temple practices adopted by other branches.

How does The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) relate to other Latter Day Saint churches?

It is one of many churches that emerged from the original Latter Day Saint movement after the 1844 succession crisis. While sharing common foundational scriptures like the Book of Mormon, it maintains distinct doctrinal and organizational differences from larger denominations such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the Community of Christ, based on its interpretation of Joseph Smith's original teachings.