In this dissertation, I address the concept of organizational identification in the Davis County Cooperative Society, or Kingston Order. Carefully crafted organizational rhetoric and powerful compliance structures to solidify the organizational messages produce a remarkably high degree of organizational identification among its members. After examining the historical and rhetorical influences that have led to the creation of the Kingston organization, I describe three major ideological platforms that guide the organization’s policies and procedures: consecration/communal living, polygamy, and intermarriage (Chapter 2). I discuss three key terms that are instrumental to understanding organizational identification (OI) in the Kingston polygamous organization: rhetoric, organization, and religion (Chapter 3).

In Chapter 4, I explain rhetorical criticism as a middle ground between interpretive and critical aims and discuss data collection and analysis procedures: Bullis and Bach’s retrospective interview technique; Extended metaphor analysis; Aristotelian analysis; and analysis using Burkean identification strategies.

The results of the Extended Metaphor Analysis (Chapter 5), as articulated by Albert and Whetten, highlight the identity of the Kingston organization as a hybrid organization with three fully integrated dimensions: normative (church), utilitarian (business), and family. The Aristotelian analysis and Burkean identification analysis (Chapter 6) reveals rhetorical types, decision premises, and rhetorical appeals used by the Kingston organization and its people. In Chapter 7, I discuss how the four aspects of identification are related to Lalich’s systems of bounded choice and Burke’s theory of logology and how they are used to create member loyalty in thoughts, words, and actions. Finally (Chapter 8), I review the conclusions of the previous data analysis and discuss the generalizability and limitations of the study.

Three qualities produce a highly productive organization with significant power in both public and private sectors. First, the Kingston organization is a modern, hierarchical corporation with an intricate structure and complex power dynamics. Second, the Kingston organization is money-driven. And third, the Kingston organization is comprised of people who sincerely believe in the cause of building the Kingdom of God.