Review

Title: Divergent Paths of the Restoration: An Encyclopedia of the Smith–Rigdon Movement

(Fifth Edition)

Author: Steven L Shields

Publisher: Signature Books

Genre: Non-Fiction/Encyclopedia/History

Year Published: 2021

Number of Pages:

Binding: Digital only

ISBN: 978-1-56085-401-2

Price: 9.99

Reviewed by Andrew Hamilton for the Association of Mormon Letters

In the early 1980s, when I was about 13, I came across my father’s second or third edition copy of Divergent Paths of the Restoration: A History of the Latter Day Saint Movement by Steven Shields. You may think that I am lying or crazy (and about that, you are probably right), but teenage me was captivated by the idea that there were so many variations of the church started by Joseph Smith.  I read the book multiple times and became fascinated by the various iterations of the Latter-day Saint movement.

Now I have a newer, larger, more in-depth version of Shields work to drool over. In the roughly 40 years since I read that earlier edition of Divergent, Shields has continued his research. The edition that enthralled me as a youth had 282 pages. This fifth edition has 1085 pages and lists some 500 “expressions” of what Shields now refers to as the “Smith-Rigdon” movement.

Divergent Paths starts with a VERY IMPORTANT essay by Shields titled “Before You Begin” that provides vital information. DON’T skip it! Important background information that is detailed in this essay includes why he uses the name “Smith Rigdon Movement.”  He also explains why he calls the various iterations of the movement “Expressions” rather than using “Sect, denomination, or church,” and why he avoids calling any groups a “‘Schism,’ or a ‘break-off,’ or a ‘splinter,” (or) ‘apostate’” (xix, xx). He provides a brief explanation as to why he feels that the Smith Rigdon movement is so prone to expressions separating off from one another. This is followed by a brief “Forward” by Community of Christ historian emeritus Richard Howard.

Divergent Paths is divided into twelve sections and is supplemented by fourteen appendices and a “Finding Key.” Each of the Twelve sections uses a Dewey Decimal-like numerical system developed by Shields to assist the reader in identifying the connections of the various expressions within that particular branch of the Smith Rigdon movement. Section 1, “Original Church Era,” identifies the eleven pre-martyrdom expressions of the movement. Entry 1.0 is the “Original Church.” Entry 1.1 is an expression started by Ezra Booth.  Entry 1.1.1 is an expression related to the one begun by Booth that was led by Eber D. Howe.  This system continues through the volume. Section Two details the “Fragmentation Era” at the time of the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith.  Section Three covers all of the expressions tied to James J Strang. Section Four, Brigham Young (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); Section Five, Joseph Smith the Third (Community of Christ); etc.

It is in these longer sections where Shields’ numbering system is particularly useful. In Section Four, which covers the Salt Lake City-based LDS Church, there are around 189 expressions that are tied to that organization. Under 4.0, which is the main LDS church, you have 4.3 “Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Most High.” The next ten expressions are all connected to that organization. 4.3.3 is also called “Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Most High,” as is its subexpression 4.3.3.1. It is connected to 4.3.3.2 “Church of the Firstborn.” After all of the 4.3 related groups comes 4.4 “Church of Zion,” and then things move on.  Once you pick up the numbering system, you will find that it is extremely useful in showing how the various groups connect in a cats-cradle like fashion.

Entries vary in length; some are only a few sentences, while others are six pages or more long. The size and life span of the organization alone do not determine the length and detail of the entry. The LDS church in Salt Lake, as you may expect, has a long entry, but so to do some of the smaller and short-lived expressions.  For example, entry 4.99, “Marvelous Work and a Wonder” (2005 • Salt Lake City • Christopher Marc Nemelka) which began in 2005 and is said to no longer exist, has a two and a half pages dedicated to it. 4.17.1.3 “Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times” gets four pages and three more pages of footnotes to aid in further research.

Divergent Paths is packed with information that will keep readers fascinated for a long time. I’m not going to spoil all the fun for you, but I’ll share a few items that I found fun and interesting. Divergent Paths covers more than just traditional “denominations”/“Church organizations” tied to Smith and Rigdon. It also has entries for support groups and organizations that exist only on the internet.  4.46 is the entry for “Affirmation,” a support organization for “LGBTQ members of the LDS community.” 4.86 “New Order Mormons,” which was founded in 2001, is:

an independent, unaffiliated internet-based discussion board and support network, for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4.0), “who no longer believe some or much of the dogma/doctrines, but choose to maintain membership for social and cultural reasons.”

Other virtual organizations with entries include 4.110 “Pure Mormonism,” the blog started by Alan Rock Waterman; 4.108 “LiberalMormon.net,” a virtual ministry started by John-Charles Duffy; and 4.113 “Mormon Fondamentaliste Indépendant,” “an internet-based ministry in France.”

I knew that there were a lot of fascinating branches of the Smith-Rigdon movement, but I was surprised at how many there were and how many sometimes wild, intriguing, and even weird details that Shields identified.  4.49, the “Rockland Ranch” organization, is known in part for “building houses carved into the natural sandstone cliffs” near Moab, Utah. 4.90 “Church of the Dual Faith” recognizes Joseph Smith and Marianne Williamson as prophets. 4.107 “International Order of the Knights of the Star of Kolob” was founded in 2006 in Paris, France, by an individual known as “Adama.” The group mixes aspects of Mormonism, Masonry, Kabala, the Knights Templar, and Rosicrucianism. With the name and since it was founded by “Adama,” one wonders if it also has connections to Battlestar Galactica!

I have heard a few complaints online from potential readers who are upset that Divergent Paths was ONLY released in digital form. Now when it comes to books, I’m an old-fashioned sort of guy.  I LOVE the feel of a print book in my hands. I far prefer reading and smelling a good book over the coldness of a digital screen. BUT for Divergent Paths, digital is a perfect choice. When you are trying to search a 1000 plus page, encyclopedic book that contains over 500 entries, digital makes sense. The searchability that this format provides and the ability to jump around the text while looking for patterns adds to how amazing this resource is that Shields has provided us.

This new fifth edition of Divergent Paths of the Restoration is AMAZING.  Shields more than succeeded in his purpose to “share the diversity of the movement.” I was continuously amazed by all of the various expressed iterations of the creative energy originated by Joseph Smith.  Richard P. Howard, Historian Emeritus, for the Community of Christ, ends his forward with the following statement:

Historians of Mormonism have valued every edition of Divergent Paths of the Restoration. Now, … religious history communities will benefit, more than ever, from the meticulous scholarship and creative skills of Steven L. Shields. This fifth edition will likely have a long life, … (xxix)

I concur wholeheartedly with Howard’s statement. Divergent Paths will be invaluable for years to come both to researchers and curious readers of all ages and interest levels.  I first picked up Divergent Paths when I was about thirteen. As I near fifty, I believe that I will enjoy and benefit from it for years to come.  You will too. It is well worth your investment of 9.99