Jim Jones, with his showcase political and humanitarian programs, wielded significant influence among the San Francisco political elite. Scientology, through sabotage and subterfuge, had huge power. And for many decades, the now-anemic Christian Science "Mother Church" was often called, "The rich and powerful Christian Science church..."
In Boston, the Roman Catholic church wielded (note past tense) great power over legislation and policy, even as their pews emptied and parishes were closed and consolidated.
Like many scams, they have risen, and thankfully, fallen. But they had power that far exceeded their actual power.
Jim Jones. Many pithy sayings don't stand up to the logic stress test. These replies are a royal pain. I am blind and everything is indistinct. I make many typos some I catch most I have to review and trust in my help. I can either go through the trouble to clean up after myself or be a recluse.
Mormonism is considered a cult by mainstream religion. Yet it has some political clout. Albeit it's marginalized at the same time by society and the media. Except in Utah where it continues to predominate.
Even today a Mormon has yet to claim the Oval Office. People are more ready for a Muslim or Jewish president than they would be a Mormon. The closest a Mormon came to the White House was Mitt, and his father before him. Evangelicals were their most ardent opponents.
Again they are all cults. Some have political power some have little to none. About the only two things that "mainstream Christianity" agrees on is using Jesus and hating Mormons. Research them and even today they attach each other. I have both resesrched some of them and attended them to support family. Just their attitude towards Mormonism is gross hypocrisy. And their hypocrisy extends widely.