Edmund C. Briggs
Encyclopedia
Edmund Clarke Briggs was an American
leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church). Briggs was the first member of the RLDS Church to preach in Utah Territory
to members of the rival Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
, Steben County
, New York
. In July 1852 he was converted into the Latter Day Saint movement
after being taught by his brother Jason
, who had earlier been baptized
by Mormon missionaries. After being baptized, Edmund became an elder in the church. On 6 April 1860, when the RLDS Church was formally organized, Briggs became the president of the Seventy of the church. Later, in October 1860, Briggs was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
.
appointed Briggs to head the RLDS Church's first missionary effort in Utah Territory
, where the rival LDS Church was headquartered. Briggs and Alexander McCord travelled 1000 miles by wagon and arrived in Salt Lake City on 7 August 1863. On 11 August, LDS Church president Brigham Young
encouraged Briggs and McCord to leave Utah, suggesting that they may not be safe. Nevertheless, Briggs and McCord began preaching among the LDS Church members, and on 6 September they held a service in Salt Lake City where sixteen former LDS Church members were baptised into the RLDS Church. By 6 April 1864, there were 100 RLDS Church converts in Utah, by time Briggs and McCord left Utah later that year, there were over 300 RLDS members and a district of the RLDS Church there.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church). Briggs was the first member of the RLDS Church to preach in Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
to members of the rival Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
RLDS Church leader
Briggs was born in WheelerWheeler, New York
Wheeler is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 1,263 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Captain Silas Wheeler, an early settler.The Town of Wheeler is in the northern part of the county, north of Bath NY....
, Steben County
Steuben County, New York
Steuben County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,990. Its name is in honor of Baron von Steuben, a German general who fought on the American side in the American Revolutionary War, though it is not pronounced the same...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In July 1852 he was converted into 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...
after being taught by his brother Jason
Jason W. Briggs
Jason W. Briggs was a leader in the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement and was instrumental in bringing about the 1860 "Reorganization" of the church, which resulted in the establishment of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.-Early membership:Jason W. Briggs...
, who had earlier been baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
by Mormon missionaries. After being baptized, Edmund became an elder in the church. On 6 April 1860, when the RLDS Church was formally organized, Briggs became the president of the Seventy of the church. Later, in October 1860, Briggs was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Council of Twelve Apostles (Community of Christ)
In the Community of Christ, The Council of Twelve Apostles is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy. They are disciples who hold the priesthood office of Apostle, and are responsible for the evangelistic witness of the church...
.
Mission to Utah Territory
In 1863, RLDS Church president Joseph Smith IIIJoseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and Emma Hale Smith...
appointed Briggs to head the RLDS Church's first missionary effort in Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
, where the rival LDS Church was headquartered. Briggs and Alexander McCord travelled 1000 miles by wagon and arrived in Salt Lake City on 7 August 1863. On 11 August, LDS Church president Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
encouraged Briggs and McCord to leave Utah, suggesting that they may not be safe. Nevertheless, Briggs and McCord began preaching among the LDS Church members, and on 6 September they held a service in Salt Lake City where sixteen former LDS Church members were baptised into the RLDS Church. By 6 April 1864, there were 100 RLDS Church converts in Utah, by time Briggs and McCord left Utah later that year, there were over 300 RLDS members and a district of the RLDS Church there.
Later life
Briggs was a member of the RLDS Church's Council of Twelve Apostles until 18 April 1902, when he was ordained a patriarch.Publications
- Edmund C. Briggs, Early History of the Reorganization