History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

CHAPTER VII.
BRIGHAM YOUNG SUCCEEDS JOSEPH.
1844-1845.
The Question of Succession—Biography of Brigham Young—His Early
Life—Conversion—Missionary Work—Made President of the
Twelve—His Devotion to the Prophet—Sidney Rigdon and Brigham
Young Rival Aspirants for the Presidency—Rigdon's Claims
—Public Meetings—Brigham Elected President of the Church—
His Character—Temple-building—Fresh Disasters—The Affair at
Morley—The Men of Quincy and the Men of Carthage—The Mormons
Consent to Abandon their City.
Upon the death of Joseph Smith, one of the questions
claiming immediate attention was, Who shall
be his successor? It was the first time the question
had arisen in a manner to demand immediate solution,
and the matter of succession was not so well determined
then as now, it being at present well established
that upon the death of the president of the church
the apostle eldest in ordination and service takes his
place.
Personal qualifications would have much to do with
it; rules could be established later. The first consid-
eration now was to keep the church from falling in
pieces. None realized the situation better than Brigham
Young, who soon made up his mind that he himself
was the man for the emergency. Then to make
it appear plain to the brethren that God would have
him take Joseph's place, his mind thus works: "The
first thing that I thought of," he says, "was whether
Joseph had taken the keys of the kingdom with him
Hist. Utah. 13 ( 193 )