Ogden Kraut


Ogden Wedlund Kraut was an American author who wrote about his independent Mormon fundamentalist beliefs. He was set apart as a "seventy" by Joseph W. Musser, a leader of the early Mormon fundamentalist movement. He also served as a missionary in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern California. He was one of the last missionaries to serve in the church "without purse or scrip", and wrote a book about his experiences. He wrote books, some self-published, on Mormon fundamentalist topics. His 95 Theses, named after a document by Martin Luther, includes specific charges against doctrinal changes in the LDS Church.
Kraut was known to be keeping a distance from the emerging fundamentalist groups. He believed they had no authority to build their own churches and defended his independent lifestyle:
In 1972, Kraut was excommunicated from the LDS Church for advocating polygamy. The FBI investigated claims that the church had conducted a wiretapping operation against Kraut.
In 1988, when a polygamist family was in a stand-off with law enforcement agencies, Kraut, who was acquainted with the family, was permitted to bring them food and supplies. He carried letters between the governor and the polygamists. Authorities wished to counter public perceptions that they were employing "psychological warfare" and "siege tactics". In vain, they hoped that Kraut or the governor's letter would influence the outlaws to negotiate or surrender. Anne Wilde, co-founder of the polygamy advocacy group "Principle Voices", was a plural wife of Ogden Kraut.