James Strang

James J. Strang was a Mormon leader who led a breakaway group of Mormons to Wisconsin following the assassination of Joseph Smith. Strang's church was known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was led by Strang from 1844 to 1856. After Joseph Smith was assassinated there was a dispute over who was Smith's successor, with Brigham Young, Strang, and a few others each claiming the title and Strang and Young mutually excommunicating each other from the church. Brigham Young led the largest group of followers to Utah, while Strang led his followers to Wisconsin. Strang claimed to find an additional book of scripture called the Book of the Law of the Lord. Strang was himself assassinated in 1856 and many of his former followers went back to Missouri, with many of them eventually joining the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.