Only 3 Years Ago

Summer 2014...Three years ago in August I was preparing for a presentation to be given in Independence Missouri for the annual John Whitmer Historical Association.  My topic was on the current status of the AUB Group leadership and what seemed to be a forming storm cloud with both LaMoine Jenson and current 2nd in seniority Marv Jessop in ailing health.  Third in line, Morris Jessop had just passed away and 4th in line Lynn Thompson had a history of controversy such as molestation and abuse of tithing funds surrounding him.  It was plain to see the AUB Group was approaching an impending predicament.   Three years ago this past week I first heard word of "THE DECISION" and in an attempt to describe what had happened along with the potential fall out I wrote a paper with three purposes in mind.  1) Update my presentation for the JWHA convention to explain the late breaking news 2) Try to explain to people inside the AUB that what they were facing was not just a hiccup and 3) an explanation to local LDS leaders in an effort to help them understand the situation and how they more than likely would be impacted. The entire paper was about 5 pages with historical and scriptural references. The following is only a short excerpt from that paper.

Defining Moment 

(Written: August 19, 2014)

LaMoine Jensen, over his tenure had given no inclination to appoint his own successor and in fact it appeared as if he would allow ascension to the head of the priesthood to revert back to the seniority rule.  That all changed this past week as LaMoine Jensen made a shocking move by appointing Lynn Thompson as his successor along with Harry Bonnell as Lynn Thompson's First Elder.  The unprecedented move has shaken the foundation of The Group to its core and is quickly becoming the equivalent of a “911” moment for The Allred Group in that nothing will or can be the same after this. 

The move once again passed over a more senior member of the council (Marvin Jessop who is still alive) in favor of Lynn Thompson but has also reorganized and undermined the seniority of the entire council.  Harry Bonnell has now been elevated to First Elder and will be the heir of Lynn Thompson.  The effect of this decision on the remaining council members is yet to be seen, but for all intents and purposes, The Allred Group is now structurally set up for potential “one man rule” scenario to be played out at some time in the future. 

This current crisis in The Allred Group will not blow over easy.   There will be repercussions that will continue to manifest themselves for years.  In 1951 The Group experienced its first split but this current monumental shift and change in direction will not simply split the group it will splinter it.  It may not happen overnight but the Group will begin to splinter along at least 3 lines.

                              1.       “Follow The Prophet”:

There will be many who will accept the change as the word of the Lord through his prophet.  Some of this crowd may not even agree with the decision but accept it as the will of the Lord and a trial to remain faithful to the gospel.  This group will of necessity have to defend their position and as a result will begin to further withdraw from main stream society and become even more ardent and zealous in their beliefs and practices.  They will begin to view themselves as “The Church” and will be at a high risk to travel the same road the FLDS Church has already gone down.  When the announcement of the controversial appointments is made official it will no doubt come in the form of revelation meant to appease the uneasiness of even some of the most faithful.

                              2.       “Go Towards The Church”:

This portion of the people will primarily be composed of monogamous families who have more options available to them.  They will see this current action as a total breech of protocol and doctrine.  It may not change their total belief system but they will see The Group as no longer valid in providing them with the saving ordinances of the gospel.  As a result, they will start to look towards the mainstream LDS church as their most viable option.  Many will eventually join the Church and embrace the steady organization and safe place for their children.  

3.       “Independents”:

This portion of the people will primarily be made up of polygamist families who no longer choose to follow the head of the priesthood under the organization of the AUB.  They will still believe in a line of authority up to and even including LaMoine Jensen but will feel that the priesthood council has "fallen" and no longer holds THE priesthood keys.  Unlike other monogamous families, polygamist families will not have the option to join the LDS church.  This group will be made up of men and women who believe whole heatedly in the covenants they made to their families and will not abandon that commitment.  Unfortunately, this will place them in a religious “no man’s land”.  The result will be a group of friendly independent polygamists who do not recognize a head of the priesthood or the AUB priesthood council. 

There more than likely will not be a “new group” emerge at least at first.  The reason for this is that many of the leaders on the current council will not want to rip apart families by trying to test people’s loyalty and faith.  They will probably believe the headaches of starting a new group do not outweigh the benefits.  They may also let the dust settle from this current crisis and see what direction the new AUB leadership will take the group.  If, when, how, and under who they organize will be their biggest challenge.

No one could have seen this earthquake coming even last week, but it has happened none the less. Clean up and crisis-control will be the order of the day for months and possibly years to come as an incredible amount of stress on families, belief, doctrine, faith, pressure, and patience will be placed on each person to know where they stand in the struggle to come.