Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) (West)

Samuel E. West is the leader of a Strangite church that claims the name "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," sometimes adding (Strangite) to the ending. Due to the fact that there is already an incorporated group that goes by the name "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)" as well as a Strangite group led by John Hajicek that goes by "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," I am going to add the "(West)" ending to differentiate. For the sake of consistency, I have done the same with Hajicek's group.

West claims to hold the highest remaining office of the priesthood on Earth at this time (elder in the Melchisedec Priesthood), and asserts his authority through a chain of ordinations leading back to James J. Strang himself. John Hajicek also claims a similar chain of ordinations, but West rejects Hajicek's chain because one of the elders in the chain (Wingfield Watson) had been cut off (according to West) because he had claimed he became the president of the church at the time of his own ordination as elder.

Therefore, West's line of authority remains the sole legitimate priesthood line remaining. West has ordained others to the office of elder; however, he is still regarded "as the senior elder in Zion," though there is no official head of the church. There are no congregations, but the group claims thousands of members throughout the United States and Africa.

The wiki has been updated with additional contact information for this group.