The Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Fundamentalist Mormon sect of the Latter Day Saint Movement with approximately 100-200 members, who mostly live in Modena, Utah west of Cedar City.[1] The sect is also known as "The Righteous Branch," "The Branch Church," "The Peterson Group" and "Christ's Church."
History
"The Righteous Branch" was organized on April 6, 1978, by Gerald Peterson, Sr.[2] Peterson Sr. claimed that after Rulon C. Allred (leader of the Apostolic United Brethren from 1954-77) was murdered by followers of Ervil LeBaron, he appeared to him and passed on the presiding keys of the priesthood.[3] After the death of Peterson, Sr. on January 9, 1981, leadership was passed to his son, Gerald W. Peterson, Jr., who then moved the headquarters of the sect to St. George, Utah.[2]
Doctrines and practices
"The Righteous Branch" practices plural marriage (polygamy), teaches the Adam-God Doctrine and the Curse of Cain Doctrine.[4] They are modern in their dress and do not allow women under 18 to be sealed into plural marriages.
"The Righteous Branch" built a pyramid-shaped temple on a "sacred hill" near Modena, Utah,[4] making it one of six Latter Day Saint denomination to have built a temple.[5]
Prominent members
Prominent Mormon fundamentalist Tom Green was a member and apostle of "The Righteous Branch" for a short time.[6]
References
- ^ Utah Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General's Office. The Primer, Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities. Updated June 2006. Page 23.
- ^ a b Shields, Steven L. (1990) Divergent Paths of the Restoration, 4 edition. Herald Pub House. ISBN 0942284135
- ^ Hales, Brian C. (2009) Gerald Peterson and the Righteous Branch of the Christ's Church". MormonFundamentalism.com
- ^ a b Moore-Emmett, Andrea. (2004) God's Brothel. Pince-Nez Press. ISBN 1930074131
- ^ The other five are the Church of Christ, the LDS Church, the Community of Christ, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Apostolic United Brethren.
- ^ Hales, Brian C. (2009) "Tom Green". MormonFundamentalism.com
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