W. A. Draves
Encyclopedia
William August Draves (12 May 1912 — 28 June 1994) was the founder and an apostle of the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message
, a successor to the organization
founded by former Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
Apostle Otto Fetting
. Like Fetting, Draves claimed to have received visits and messages from John the Baptist
. Although accepted by many Fettingites, Draves was rejected by portions of the Fettingite leadership, leading him to found his own church in 1939. He continued to produce a total of ninety messages from the alleged angelic visitor throughout succeeding decades, serving in the church as an apostle until his death in 1994.
on 12 May 1912, the third of eight children born to Wilhelm August Heinrich Draves (born in a covered wagon
April 8, 1877 near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- d. April 9, 1929 Gilcrest, Colorado
) and Sylvia Stella Dunwoody (b. February 17, 1884 Valparaiso, Nebraska
- d. August 11, 1962 Kingston Township, Caldwell County, Missouri
). Draves' paternal grandfather Leopold Friedrich Johann Drews/Draves was born in Coburg, Germany January 10, 1848 and died January 12, 1904 in Dows, Iowa
. Raised by what he called "goodly parents," ten-year-old Draves embraced the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
(now called the Community of Christ) through baptism in 1922 at an RLDS reunion being held at North Platte, Nebraska
. During his subsequent confirmation, Draves testified that the RLDS elder prophesied that he would have "a peculiar work to do among [his] Brethren", and that he "would behold Angels and be considered a prophet in God's Work." Days later, a "prophetess" at this same reunion reemphasized Draves' destiny to him, predicting that his mother would pass away exactly forty years from that date (August 11, 1922). Much later, Draves reported the prophecy came true — to the day — exactly as specified, confirming to him the truth of what he had experienced in 1922.
Three years after his baptism in the RLDS church, Draves moved with his family to Nucla, Colorado
, where they were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there. Draves later testified that he was uneasy at the thought of taking water (instead of wine or grape juice) for communion, as is the usual practice among the "Utah Mormons", and so he refrained from taking the Sacrament during that time. He reported that he continued to study the Bible
and Book of Mormon
during these years, preparing himself for an as-yet unknown mission within the Latter Day Saint movement
.
In 1929, a seventeen-year-old Draves heard of a series of revelations being given to Otto Fetting
, an apostle in the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) who -- as with William Draves -- had previously been baptized in the RLDS church. Fetting's messages -- allegedly coming from John the Baptist
-- excited the Draves family, and they wondered whether Fetting were actually receiving such revelations. Although his father was killed in an April, 1929 in a truck-train collision, Draves' mother invited elders from the Temple Lot church to her home, resulting in the family's baptism by Temple Lot apostle Thomas Barton. According to Draves, Barton's words at his confirmation almost exactly echoed those spoken by the RLDS elder who had confirmed him seven years earlier. Stirred at the prospect of assisting in a sacred construction at the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri
, Draves eagerly made plans to move to the "Center Place" and help with the Temple Project which had commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony April 6, 1929. However, a serious crisis brewing within the Temple Lot organization would alter Draves' plans--eventually leading to an alleged prophetic calling and the foundation of his own church organization.
and Oliver Cowdery
on May 15, 1829.
Controversy over the meaning and application of Fetting's twelfth message became so great that Fetting himself was "silenced" in October of 1929 by the Temple Lot organization. Choosing to withdraw rather than continue under such a restriction, Fetting led approximately half of the Church of Christ members (including some of its apostles) to found an organization of his own, which became known as the Church of Christ (Fettingite)
. Since the main Temple Lot organization retained possession of the Temple Lot and its meetinghouse, Fetting's organization met in members' homes for a considerable period prior to building their own worship facilities.
Draves reported that upon confronting Apostle Barton with his own questions about Fetting and his twelfth message, he was told not to look into it or he would be "put out of the church". Draves chose to proceed with his inquiry, which led to his baptism into Fetting's organization in 1931. Later, he was ordained an elder in Fetting's church. Otto Fetting would receive a total of thirty "messages" prior to his death in January of 1933.
, currently (as of 2009) headquartered in Independence, Missouri. This church operates missions in England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, India, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Draves continued to allegedly receive visits and messages from John the Baptist up to his death in 1994.
Draves' messages (ninety in all), together with the earlier ones from Otto Fetting, were published in a book entitled The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel. This book is still used by his organization today.
Church of Christ with the Elijah Message
The Church of Christ "With the Elijah Message," Established Anew 1929 is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement, headquartered in Jackson County, Missouri, which split from the Church of Christ in 1943 in a dispute over claimed revelations given to its founder William A. Draves...
, a successor to the organization
Church of Christ (Fettingite)
The Church of Christ is a denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement which split from the Church of Christ —informally known as "Hedrickites"— in late 1929...
founded by former Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
The Church of Christ is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Independence, Missouri on what is known as the Temple Lot. Members of the church have been known colloquially as "Hedrickites", after Granville Hedrick, who was ordained as the church's first leader in July 1863...
Apostle Otto Fetting
Otto Fetting
Otto Fetting was an American realtor and editor from Port Huron, Michigan who served first as a pastor and evangelist in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and then later as an apostle in the Church of Christ , commonly referred to as the "Hedrickites"...
. Like Fetting, Draves claimed to have received visits and messages from John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
. Although accepted by many Fettingites, Draves was rejected by portions of the Fettingite leadership, leading him to found his own church in 1939. He continued to produce a total of ninety messages from the alleged angelic visitor throughout succeeding decades, serving in the church as an apostle until his death in 1994.
Early years
William "Oley" Draves was born in Keystone, NebraskaKeystone, Nebraska
Keystone is an unincorporated community in central Keith County, Nebraska, United States. It lies along local roads near the North Platte River, northeast of the city of Ogallala, the county seat of Keith County. Its elevation is 3,100 feet . Although Keystone is unincorporated, it has a...
on 12 May 1912, the third of eight children born to Wilhelm August Heinrich Draves (born in a covered wagon
Covered wagon
The covered wagon, also known as a Prairie schooner, is an icon of the American Old West.Although covered wagons were commonly used for shorter moves within the United States, in the mid-nineteenth century thousands of Americans took them across the Great Plains to Oregon and California...
April 8, 1877 near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
- d. April 9, 1929 Gilcrest, Colorado
Gilcrest, Colorado
The Town of Gilcrest is a Statutory Town located in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,162 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gilcrest is located at ....
) and Sylvia Stella Dunwoody (b. February 17, 1884 Valparaiso, Nebraska
Valparaiso, Nebraska
Valparaiso is a village in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 563 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Valparaiso is located at ....
- d. August 11, 1962 Kingston Township, Caldwell County, Missouri
Kingston Township, Caldwell County, Missouri
Kingston Township is one of twelve townships in Caldwell County, Missouri, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 543.-Geography:Kingston Township covers an area of and contains one incorporated settlement, Kingston...
). Draves' paternal grandfather Leopold Friedrich Johann Drews/Draves was born in Coburg, Germany January 10, 1848 and died January 12, 1904 in Dows, Iowa
Dows, Iowa
Dows is a city in Franklin and Wright Counties of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 675 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dows is located at ....
. Raised by what he called "goodly parents," ten-year-old Draves embraced the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
(now called the Community of Christ) through baptism in 1922 at an RLDS reunion being held at North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States. It is located in the southwestern part of the state, along Interstate 80, at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers forming the Platte River...
. During his subsequent confirmation, Draves testified that the RLDS elder prophesied that he would have "a peculiar work to do among [his] Brethren", and that he "would behold Angels and be considered a prophet in God's Work." Days later, a "prophetess" at this same reunion reemphasized Draves' destiny to him, predicting that his mother would pass away exactly forty years from that date (August 11, 1922). Much later, Draves reported the prophecy came true — to the day — exactly as specified, confirming to him the truth of what he had experienced in 1922.
Three years after his baptism in the RLDS church, Draves moved with his family to Nucla, Colorado
Nucla, Colorado
Nucla is a Statutory Town in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The population was 734 at the 2000 census. Its name comes from the town's founders intent that it serve as a "nucleus" for the surrounding farms and mines, although it has since come to be associated with the growth of uranium...
, where they were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there. Draves later testified that he was uneasy at the thought of taking water (instead of wine or grape juice) for communion, as is the usual practice among the "Utah Mormons", and so he refrained from taking the Sacrament during that time. He reported that he continued to study the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and 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...
during these years, preparing himself for an as-yet unknown mission within 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...
.
In 1929, a seventeen-year-old Draves heard of a series of revelations being given to Otto Fetting
Otto Fetting
Otto Fetting was an American realtor and editor from Port Huron, Michigan who served first as a pastor and evangelist in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and then later as an apostle in the Church of Christ , commonly referred to as the "Hedrickites"...
, an apostle in the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) who -- as with William Draves -- had previously been baptized in the RLDS church. Fetting's messages -- allegedly coming from John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
-- excited the Draves family, and they wondered whether Fetting were actually receiving such revelations. Although his father was killed in an April, 1929 in a truck-train collision, Draves' mother invited elders from the Temple Lot church to her home, resulting in the family's baptism by Temple Lot apostle Thomas Barton. According to Draves, Barton's words at his confirmation almost exactly echoed those spoken by the RLDS elder who had confirmed him seven years earlier. Stirred at the prospect of assisting in a sacred construction at the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
, Draves eagerly made plans to move to the "Center Place" and help with the Temple Project which had commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony April 6, 1929. However, a serious crisis brewing within the Temple Lot organization would alter Draves' plans--eventually leading to an alleged prophetic calling and the foundation of his own church organization.
Trouble on the Temple Lot
Although the Temple Lot church had enthusiastically accepted the first eleven of Fetting's messages, this would not hold true for the twelfth. In verse four of this missive, John the Baptist states that all individuals coming into the Church of Christ must be rebaptized, as "the Lord has rejected all creeds and factions of men". While this reflects the practice of the majority of Latter Day Saint denominations (including the Temple Lot church itself, today), it did not reflect the policy of the Temple Lot church at the time, which accepted members during this period from the Reorganized church, certain other Latter Day Saint organizations, and Joseph Smith's pre-1844 church on their original baptisms. This message equally declared Fetting to have been given the same "keys to the priesthood" that were given to Joseph SmithJoseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
and Oliver Cowdery
Oliver Cowdery
Oliver H. P. Cowdery was, with Joseph Smith, Jr., an important participant in the formative period of the Latter Day Saint movement between 1829 and 1836, becoming one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's golden plates, one of the first Latter Day Saint apostles, and the Second Elder of...
on May 15, 1829.
Controversy over the meaning and application of Fetting's twelfth message became so great that Fetting himself was "silenced" in October of 1929 by the Temple Lot organization. Choosing to withdraw rather than continue under such a restriction, Fetting led approximately half of the Church of Christ members (including some of its apostles) to found an organization of his own, which became known as the Church of Christ (Fettingite)
Church of Christ (Fettingite)
The Church of Christ is a denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement which split from the Church of Christ —informally known as "Hedrickites"— in late 1929...
. Since the main Temple Lot organization retained possession of the Temple Lot and its meetinghouse, Fetting's organization met in members' homes for a considerable period prior to building their own worship facilities.
Draves reported that upon confronting Apostle Barton with his own questions about Fetting and his twelfth message, he was told not to look into it or he would be "put out of the church". Draves chose to proceed with his inquiry, which led to his baptism into Fetting's organization in 1931. Later, he was ordained an elder in Fetting's church. Otto Fetting would receive a total of thirty "messages" prior to his death in January of 1933.
Founding a church
Four years after Fetting's death, in October of 1937, Draves claimed that the "messenger" had appeared to him with further instruction for the Fettingite church. While many of Fetting's adherents accepted Draves and his missives, some did not, causing a split within the Fettingite organization. Draves and his followers formed the Church of Christ with the Elijah MessageChurch of Christ with the Elijah Message
The Church of Christ "With the Elijah Message," Established Anew 1929 is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement, headquartered in Jackson County, Missouri, which split from the Church of Christ in 1943 in a dispute over claimed revelations given to its founder William A. Draves...
, currently (as of 2009) headquartered in Independence, Missouri. This church operates missions in England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, India, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Draves continued to allegedly receive visits and messages from John the Baptist up to his death in 1994.
Draves' messages (ninety in all), together with the earlier ones from Otto Fetting, were published in a book entitled The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel. This book is still used by his organization today.
Testimonial
In 1940, William Draves authored the following testimonial, which contains interesting details about the alleged "Messenger's" appearance:- "TO WHO IT MAY CONCERN:
- "In all sincereness I make this solemn declaration before my Lord this day. He being my witness also my judge. I expect to stand before the great and pleasing bar of God to answer for what I may say herein.
- "The manifestations, experiences and words of the visits of the Messenger are true. I have seen him from time to time. I have heard his voice. I have seen his face. I have seen the light that accompanies him which precedes his appearance and remains after he leaves, sometimes for an hour or more. I have felt his touch on my shoulder, and in holding my hand. I have been enwrapped in that wonderful Heavenly and Divine Power of God.
- "I want to make this statement that everyone may know that this is true. I do not fear the hereafter, and cannot, nor will not deny the things that I have seen and heard from this Heavenly source, the Messenger, as long as I have my right mind and God gives me life and His grace to endure here on Earth.
- "I may have been misunderstood by those who should be my fellows and I may have failed in some things in the past, still others may make statements about me, but I want this to be understood that this statement is true. I shall abide by the advice and instruction given by the Messenger regardless of what man or men may say.
- "The messenger wears a white robe, his hair is a tiny bit gold next to his skin and blended to whiteness like pure wool, white as snow. His eyes are like a flame and his feet like the brightness of fine brass, as if they were ablaze. His voice has the sound of one having authority. His countenance is as the brightness of the sun with its greatness in light, even brighter than light that shineth down on the earth. He is enveloped in light and immediately around him is very bright.
- "I wish all could see or feel the sweet powerful influence that comes with this Heavenly one and surely all doubt would flee from the minds of natural man.
- "Peace to all and may the Lord's Will be done. These are my words to you this day and may the spirit of God bear witness
- "Signed W. A. Draves
- "Independence, Missouri, June 17, 1940"
Further information
- A Brief History of W.A. Draves' Life. Draves' autobiographical sketch, focusing mostly upon his early years prior to receiving his first "message". Includes photo of Draves.
- Church of Christ With the Elijah Message. Website of Draves' church. Contains internal link to all of his "messages", together with those of Otto Fetting.
- Testimonies of Otto Fetting and William A. Draves. Contains photos of both men.
- William "Oley" Draves at Findagrave.com