Very good point.
In addition to Joseph Smith, I am a generally aware that the title of the head of the Mormon church is "Prophet and Revelator". Thus, Mormonism seems to have a tradition of special revelations extending beyond the founder.
In addition, I think an earlier rash of murders connected to the Mexico branch of Mormon fundamentalism might have been "justified" by the leader claiming to have continued revelations that demanded violence.
In short, there could be two very different models for how the group functioned:
A. A hierarchial model where CD and LVD are seen as bonafide visionaries by the group. Once CD and LVD are accepted as "visionaries", the affirmation by the group of all "teachings", including zombies, is mandatory.
B. A looser "coalition model" where people who share general interests gather. Autonomous members then place various beliefs on a spiritual "buffet table". Leaders, of course, get to place portions in more prominent positions.
Members then sample the portions and accept the ideas that appeal to them. Though criticizing another member's "dish" is not a good idea, one does not need to accept every teaching.