An apocalyptic, Latter Day Saint sect that adheres to the Hebrew law.
The Church of the Firstborn, also known as the Morrisites, was a fascinating offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that emerged in the mid-19th century. Founded by Joseph Morris in 1861, this religious movement left an indelible mark on the history of the American West and the broader Latter Day Saint movement.
Origins and Leadership
Joseph Morris, born in 1824 in Eardiston, Shropshire, England, was the driving force behind the Church of the Firstborn. After converting to the LDS Church in 1849, Morris emigrated to Utah in 1853. Initially a devoted follower of Brigham Young, Morris began experiencing visions and spiritual revelations that he believed were direct communications from God.
Claiming to be the Seventh Angel mentioned in the Book of Revelation, Morris asserted that he was chosen to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. His teachings diverged significantly from mainstream LDS doctrine, emphasizing the imminent return of Christ and claiming the authority to receive revelations for the entire church.
Morris’s leadership team included several apostles, such as John Banks, John Cook, and Gudmund Gudmundson, as well as a bishop named William Harris. This structure mirrored that of the LDS Church but with Morris at its head as the self-proclaimed prophet and rightful leader.
Establishment and Beliefs
The Church of the Firstborn was officially established in 1861, attracting several hundred followers primarily from the Weber County area in Utah Territory. Morris and his adherents settled at Kington Fort, an abandoned military outpost near present-day South Weber, Utah, which became the headquarters of their movement.
The Morrisites practiced a form of communal living, sharing property and resources among members. This communal lifestyle was seen as a way to prepare for Christ’s return and reflected their interpretation of early Christian practices.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Church of the Firstborn’s theology was its belief in reincarnation, termed “baby resurrection.” This concept, taught by Morris and later by his successor George Williams (who declared himself “Prophet Cainan”), set the group apart from other Latter Day Saint sects. The church also rejected certain teachings of Brigham Young and the LDS Church, such as plural marriage and temple ordinances.
Morris also emphasized strict adherence to what he interpreted as Hebrew laws, including dietary restrictions and Sabbath observance. He taught that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, was succeeded by James Strang and then by himself, creating a unique line of prophetic succession.
The Morrisite War
The rapid growth of the Morrisite community and their unorthodox beliefs led to increasing tensions with neighboring Mormon settlements and the territorial government. By spring 1862, discontent arose within the group due to food scarcity and failed prophecies of the Second Coming. Disputes over property entitlement further exacerbated the situation.
The conflict came to a head in June 1862 when three men attempted to leave the Morrisite community with their share of grain. Morris and his followers detained the men, leading to complaints filed with the territorial government. Acting governor Frank Fuller issued a writ of habeas corpus ordering the release of the prisoners, which Morris refused to comply with.
In response, a posse of several hundred men, led by deputy marshal Robert T. Burton, was dispatched to enforce the order. The posse surrounded Kington Fort on June 13, 1862, initiating what became known as the Morrisite War.
The siege lasted three days, during which time there were exchanges of gunfire between the posse and the Morrisites. On June 15, the posse used a cannon to bombard the fort, killing two women and damaging the settlement’s structures. Following this bombardment, the Morrisites raised a white flag to signal their surrender.
As the posse entered the fort, a confrontation occurred between Burton and Morris. The encounter resulted in the deaths of Joseph Morris, his second-in-command John Banks, and two women. The killing of Morris effectively ended the Morrisite movement as an organized religion.
Aftermath and Schisms
In the aftermath of the conflict, several Morrisite leaders were arrested and charged with murder for deaths that occurred during the siege. However, they were later pardoned by Utah’s new governor, Stephen S. Harding, who viewed the actions against the Morrisites as excessive.
After the death of Joseph Morris, the church experienced a period of fragmentation. George Williams emerged as a successor, declaring himself “Prophet Cainan” and continuing to lead a portion of the faithful. However, upon Williams’ death in 1882, the church further splintered into several schisms, each led by different claimants to Williams’s successor.
The largest of these groups was based in Montana, led by John R. Eardley. This group continued to practice and propagate the teachings of Morris and Williams, including the unique concept of “baby resurrection” or reincarnation.
By the 1950s, most members of the various Morrisite offshoots had passed away, and the church officially disbanded in 1969. This marked the end of the Church of the Firstborn as an organized religious movement, nearly a century after its inception.
Later Influence
Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Church of the Firstborn left an intriguing legacy that continued to influence certain religious thoughts and movements. One of the most interesting examples of this influence came through a prophecy made by George Williams.
Williams had prophesied that Deer Lodge, Montana, would be the site of the Second Coming of Christ. This prophecy, seemingly forgotten for decades, was later discovered by leaders of a small Baháʼí Faith apocalyptic sect founded by Leland Jensen.
Jensen, who had been incarcerated in the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, believed that this prison was actually Ezekiel’s Temple as described in the Bible. He incorporated this belief, along with elements of Williams’ prophecy, into his own teachings, creating an unexpected connection between the long-defunct Church of the Firstborn and a 20th-century religious movement.
image via Presto Preservation
