Career
He was one of the last missionaries to serve in the church "without purse or scrip" (financed entirely by donations from the church or from those to whom they taught), and wrote a book about his experiences. Kraut was known to be keeping a distance from the emerging fundamentalist groups. John Taylor authorized and set apart several men to perpetuate the principle of plural marriage and gave them the calling to perform such marriage, regardless of what the Church or the government might say or do.
There is no mention of setting up a church, taking tithing, having weekly meetings, or setting up a colony somewhere.
Their calling (or keys) was to (1) live plural marriage, (2) perform plural marriage sealings, and (3) set apart others with this same calling. The Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.
