James Brighouse

James Brighouse (14 September 1841–17 July 1916) was a leader of the Order of Enoch, a splinter group within the Latter Day Saint movement. Born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, he migrated to the United States and became prominent as one of the first individuals claiming to be the "One Mighty and Strong" prophesied by Joseph Smith in 1832. In 1884, Brighouse and Lars Peterson organized the Order of Enoch (later called the Church or Kingdom of Christ) in Independence, Missouri. The group published *The Voice at Midnight*, a tract advocating the law of consecration and including a "Deed or Covenant" form for property consecration to the Bishop. Brighouse opposed Brigham Young's leadership and teachings, particularly plural marriage, which he believed led the majority of Latter Day Saints astray. He traveled to Salt Lake City in 1891, declaring himself Jesus Christ, whose return was prophesied by Joseph Smith by 1891. This claim garnered a few followers, including Dr. Henry I. Doremus, though Doremus was later excommunicated for non-conformity. In 1892, Brighouse published *The Voice of the Seventh Angel*, detailing his teachings. He argued that the Latter-day Saints had lost the Melchizedek priesthood and that Brigham Young's leadership without divine revelation was invalid. Brighouse taught that heaven and hell were on Earth, with heaven being immediate and government influenced by secret combinations. Brighouse's following remained small after 1892, and little is documented about his later life. His teachings emphasized the need for Zion to be established in Independence, Missouri, as the land ...