Aaronic Order
Encyclopedia
The Aaronic Order, now usually referred to as the House of Aaron, is a Christian sect founded in 1942 by Maurice L. Glendenning (February 15, 1891 Randolph, Kansas
– October 5, 1969 in Utah
).
The House of Aaron states its mission is "to participate in and hasten the preparation of the Body of Jesus Christ for His second coming." Its vision is to "restore the Biblical, Levitical ministry to its prophesied fulness in Jesus Christ and to reconcile individuals, families, and fellowships to their places in the Body of Christ."
religion, but as a boy, he confided in his father that he could hear heavenly music even when wide-awake. As a young teen, the heavenly music became interspersed with angelic voices uttering poetry, which Glendenning began to write down in notes he kept private out of fear of ridicule. As a young man, the "angelic poetry" evolved into doctrinal and philosophical statements, and Glendenning gradually began sharing the text of his messages with more and more friends and relatives.
In the late 1920s, Glendenning was urged by Mormon missionaries to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), because they saw LDS beliefs promoted in the angelic messages he'd written down in preceding years. Glendenning and his wife were baptized in April 1929, but then he was excommunicated two years later because some LDS Church General Authorities asserted that while people could receive inspiration for themselves, no one could receive authentic divine messages for the church except the President of the Church. However, Glendenning had not claimed to have received divine messages for the church, but was accused of wrongdoing presumably because he claimed to have received divine inspiration that, if true, would affect the validity of some of the teachings of the LDS Church.
Thoroughly embarrassed by the invitation-turned-repudiation, Glendenning was disenchanted with the LDS Church, and Mormonism in general. However, similarities between Glendenning's claims and those of Mormonism's founder Joseph Smith, Jr.—as well as the Utah
location of the commune he established in the 1950s,http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r8MNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SnQDAAAAIBAJ&dq=noword&pg=5751%2C5361778 and the LDS roots of most of its founding members—has caused the Aaronic Order to be associated with Mormonism in scholarly and popular view.
In 1978 the Writings were published by the Aaronic Order. This book was a compilation of 1944's Book of Elias, or the Record of John, 1948's New Revelations for the Book of Elias, or the Record of John, and 1955's Disciple Book.
The organization claims not to be a part of the Latter Day Saint movement
, although many of its original members were former Mormons, the House of Aaron basic beliefs have never included the Book of Mormon
, nor any other LDS scriptures
. The House of Aaron considers its beliefs to be strictly Biblical. The House of Aaron is part of the broader messianic movement united under the Messianic Israel Alliance (MIA). In contrast with stricto sensu mormonism, the House of Aaron does not believe in or practice plural marriage
.
In 1955 the church established a communal settlement called EskDale, Utah, named after Eskdale
, Scotland
. The House of Aaron currently has branches in EskDale, Partoun
, and Murray, Utah
. The House of Aaron's membership is less than 1,000.
The following statement comes from the official House of Aaron website:
The organization does not consider itself to be part of the Latter Day Saint movement
; however, researchers have categorized it as part of the movement because of Glendenning's membership and excommunication from the LDS Church.
Randolph, Kansas
Randolph is a city in Riley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 163. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Randolph was originally located a mile east of its present location....
– October 5, 1969 in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
).
The House of Aaron states its mission is "to participate in and hasten the preparation of the Body of Jesus Christ for His second coming." Its vision is to "restore the Biblical, Levitical ministry to its prophesied fulness in Jesus Christ and to reconcile individuals, families, and fellowships to their places in the Body of Christ."
Background
Glendenning and his family were unfamiliar with the MormonMormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
religion, but as a boy, he confided in his father that he could hear heavenly music even when wide-awake. As a young teen, the heavenly music became interspersed with angelic voices uttering poetry, which Glendenning began to write down in notes he kept private out of fear of ridicule. As a young man, the "angelic poetry" evolved into doctrinal and philosophical statements, and Glendenning gradually began sharing the text of his messages with more and more friends and relatives.
In the late 1920s, Glendenning was urged by Mormon missionaries to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), because they saw LDS beliefs promoted in the angelic messages he'd written down in preceding years. Glendenning and his wife were baptized in April 1929, but then he was excommunicated two years later because some LDS Church General Authorities asserted that while people could receive inspiration for themselves, no one could receive authentic divine messages for the church except the President of the Church. However, Glendenning had not claimed to have received divine messages for the church, but was accused of wrongdoing presumably because he claimed to have received divine inspiration that, if true, would affect the validity of some of the teachings of the LDS Church.
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
location of the commune he established in the 1950s,http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r8MNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SnQDAAAAIBAJ&dq=noword&pg=5751%2C5361778 and the LDS roots of most of its founding members—has caused the Aaronic Order to be associated with Mormonism in scholarly and popular view.
In 1978 the Writings were published by the Aaronic Order. This book was a compilation of 1944's Book of Elias, or the Record of John, 1948's New Revelations for the Book of Elias, or the Record of John, and 1955's Disciple Book.
The organization claims not to be a part of the Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, although many of its original members were former Mormons, the House of Aaron basic beliefs have never included the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
, nor any other LDS scriptures
Standard Works
The Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the four books that currently constitute its open scriptural canon.* The Holy Bible * The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ...
. The House of Aaron considers its beliefs to be strictly Biblical. The House of Aaron is part of the broader messianic movement united under the Messianic Israel Alliance (MIA). In contrast with stricto sensu mormonism, the House of Aaron does not believe in or practice plural marriage
Plural marriage
Polygamy was taught by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than half of the 19th century, and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890.The Church's practice of polygamy has been highly controversial, both within...
.
In 1955 the church established a communal settlement called EskDale, Utah, named after Eskdale
Eskdale, Dumfries and Galloway
Eskdale is a glen in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The River Esk flows through Eskdale to its estuary at the Solway Firth....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The House of Aaron currently has branches in EskDale, Partoun
Partoun, Utah
Partoun is an unincorporated community in Juab County, Utah, United States. It is located in Snake Valley at latitude 39.64661N and longitude -113.88700W with an elevation of 4,818'...
, and Murray, Utah
Murray, Utah
Murray is a city situated on the Wasatch Front in the core of Salt Lake Valley in the U.S. state of Utah. Named for territorial governor Eli Murray, it is the state's fourteenth largest city. According to the 2010 census, Murray has approximately 46,746 residents.Murray is close to Salt Lake City,...
. The House of Aaron's membership is less than 1,000.
The following statement comes from the official House of Aaron website:
The House of Aaron is the Biblical name of the family of Israelite priests ordained by God to serve Him at the Tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, at the temple in Jerusalem. Aaronites were a family within the tribe of Levi. This entire tribe was called by God to minister to him and then to the people. The specific duties of the Levites were to assist Aaron in the work of the Tabernacle, in teaching, ministering in music and judging all the tribes of Israel. God made clear that Levi was to have no inheritance in the land but Him. (Deuteronomy 18:1–2) Thus, no territory was identified as Levi and Aaron's home. Instead, 48 Levitical cities were scattered about the land, some in each tribe to remind Levi that his ministry extended to all the tribes of Israel.
The organization does not consider itself to be part of the Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
; however, researchers have categorized it as part of the movement because of Glendenning's membership and excommunication from the LDS Church.