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|L=Mormonism and church leadership/Succession in the Presidency of the Church | |L=Mormonism and church leadership/Succession in the Presidency of the Church | ||
|H=1844 Succession to Joseph Smith | |H=1844 Succession to Joseph Smith | ||
− | |S=There was much contention regarding who Joseph Smith's successor was supposed to be after his death. | + | |S=There was much contention regarding who Joseph Smith's successor was supposed to be after his death. |
+ | * [[#Possible Successors|Possible Successors]] | ||
+ | * [[#August 8, 1844|August 8, 1844]] | ||
+ | * [[#Quorum of the Twelve as Successors|Quorum of the Twelve as Successors]] | ||
|L1=Question: Did Brigham promise that Joseph Smith III would eventually take over the Church? | |L1=Question: Did Brigham promise that Joseph Smith III would eventually take over the Church? | ||
|L2=Question: What indications were there that Brigham Young would be Joseph Smith's successor? | |L2=Question: What indications were there that Brigham Young would be Joseph Smith's successor? | ||
}} | }} | ||
</onlyinclude> | </onlyinclude> | ||
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+ | In the early 1800s, God called Joseph Smith to restore the true Church of Christ and to serve as its first leader (see [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/20?lang=eng&id=2#p2 Doctrine and Covenants 20:2]). God also provided a plan of succession: that the next Church leader would be appointed by Joseph Smith and would not serve until after Joseph was gone (see [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/43?lang=eng&id=3-4#p3 Doctrine and Covenants 43:3–4]). Before he died, Joseph Smith appointed his successor, but "he had not announced a clear plan for succession [to Church members]. . . . One Church member living near Nauvoo said he heard people advocating for several potential leaders."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/succession-of-church-leadership?lang=eng "Succession of Church Leadership,"] Church History Topics in Gospel Library.</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Possible Successors=== | ||
+ | Some individuals who were put forth as possible successors included: | ||
+ | * Brigham Young | ||
+ | * Sidney Rigdon | ||
+ | * James Strang | ||
+ | * William Marks | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===August 8, 1844=== | ||
+ | On August 8, Church members met to decide who should lead the Church. When Brigham Young (who was then serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) addressed the members, many reported that "Brigham sounded and appeared remarkably like Joseph Smith; others simply say that the 'mantle of Joseph' or the 'mantle of the prophets' rested on Brigham Young; and others state that they were given a witness 'by the spirit' that Brigham was to lead the Church."<ref>Lynn W. Jorgensen, [https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-chapters/the-mantle-of-the-prophet-joseph-passes-to-brother-brigham-one-hundred-twenty-nine-testimonies-of-a-collective-spiritual-witness/ "The Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Passes to Brother Brigham: One Hundred Twenty-nine Testimonies of a Collective Spiritual Witness,"] in John W. Welch, ed., ''Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844 (Second Edition)'' (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press).</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Quorum of the Twelve as Successors=== | ||
+ | These divine witnesses helped Church members to know that Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles had been given the authority to lead the Church after Joseph died. Orson Hyde wrote that Joseph, shortly before his death, met with the Twelve to confer upon them authority and declared, "Upon the shoulders of the Twelve must the responsibility of leading this church hence forth rest until you shall appoint others to succeed you."<ref>"Appendix 3: Orson Hyde, Statement about Quorum of the Twelve, circa Late March 1845," josephsmithpapers.org.</ref> Other Apostles shared similar testimonies of Joseph conferring upon them the authority to lead the Church: | ||
+ | * ''Parley P. Pratt:'' Said [Joseph], ‘I know not why; but for some reason I am constrained to hasten my preparations, and to confer upon the Twelve all the ordinances, keys, covenants, endowments, and sealing ordinances of the priesthood, and so set before them a pattern in all things pertaining to the sanctuary [the temple] and the endowment therein.’ Having done this, he rejoiced exceedingly; for, said he, the Lord is about to lay the burden on your shoulders and let me rest awhile."<ref>In the section [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-46?lang=eng "Before his death, Joseph Smith conferred upon the Twelve Apostles every priesthood key and power that the Lord had sealed upon him"], in "Chapter 46: The Martyrdom: The Prophet Seals His Testimony with His Blood," ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith.''</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:Question: What indications were there that Brigham Young would be Joseph Smith's successor?}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | By studying these testimonies and experiences, and then seeking our own testimony, we can also know that Brigham Young was the divinely authorized successor to Joseph Smith. | ||
+ | |||
{{:Question: Did Brigham promise that Joseph Smith III would eventually take over the Church?}} | {{:Question: Did Brigham promise that Joseph Smith III would eventually take over the Church?}} | ||
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Summary: There was much contention regarding who Joseph Smith's successor was supposed to be after his death.
Jump to details:
In the early 1800s, God called Joseph Smith to restore the true Church of Christ and to serve as its first leader (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:2). God also provided a plan of succession: that the next Church leader would be appointed by Joseph Smith and would not serve until after Joseph was gone (see Doctrine and Covenants 43:3–4). Before he died, Joseph Smith appointed his successor, but "he had not announced a clear plan for succession [to Church members]. . . . One Church member living near Nauvoo said he heard people advocating for several potential leaders."[1]
Some individuals who were put forth as possible successors included:
On August 8, Church members met to decide who should lead the Church. When Brigham Young (who was then serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) addressed the members, many reported that "Brigham sounded and appeared remarkably like Joseph Smith; others simply say that the 'mantle of Joseph' or the 'mantle of the prophets' rested on Brigham Young; and others state that they were given a witness 'by the spirit' that Brigham was to lead the Church."[2]
These divine witnesses helped Church members to know that Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles had been given the authority to lead the Church after Joseph died. Orson Hyde wrote that Joseph, shortly before his death, met with the Twelve to confer upon them authority and declared, "Upon the shoulders of the Twelve must the responsibility of leading this church hence forth rest until you shall appoint others to succeed you."[3] Other Apostles shared similar testimonies of Joseph conferring upon them the authority to lead the Church:
Life and Character |
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Youth |
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Revelations and the Church |
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Prophetic Statements |
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Society |
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Plural marriage (polygamy) |
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Death |
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Characteristics of Church Leaders |
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Succession of the President of the Church |
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Criticisms related to Church leaders |
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Doctrine and official statements |
|
Other |
Video by The Interpreter Foundation.
In the early 1800s, God called Joseph Smith to restore the true Church of Christ and to serve as its first leader (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:2). God also provided a plan of succession: that the next Church leader would be appointed by Joseph Smith and would not serve until after Joseph was gone (see Doctrine and Covenants 43:3–4). Before he died, Joseph Smith appointed his successor, but "he had not announced a clear plan for succession [to Church members]. . . . One Church member living near Nauvoo said he heard people advocating for several potential leaders."[5]
Some individuals who were put forth as possible successors included:
Almost immediately after Joseph Smith's death on June 27, 1844, conflict arose among local Church leaders and others about who would succeed Joseph Smith. Throughout July 1844 local leaders met together and with Emma Smith to discuss possible succession options. They agreed to wait to make a decision until a majority of the Twelve Apostles returned to Nauvoo.[13] (The Twelve had been out on missions for Joseph Smith's campaign for President of the United States of America.) However, Sidney Rigdon (who had also been away from Nauvoo for the campaign) returned to Nauvoo on August 3 and immediately began advocating that the Saints appoint him as Joseph's successor. Sidney gained William Marks as a supporter, and William appointed a general assembly of the Church for August 8 to decide the question who would succeed Joseph Smith. Two days before the assembly, Brigham Young and several of the Twelve Apostles returned to Nauvoo, so that a majority of the Quorum was now in Nauvoo.[14]
On August 8, Church members met to decide who should lead the Church. In a morning meeting, Sidney Rigdon gave an impassioned speech that the authority to lead the Church was still on the earth and that he would be the spokesman for Joseph Smith. Brigham Young arose and lamented that there was such a hurry to appoint a successor but that he would call a meeting of priesthood quorums and general membership that afternoon to resolve the issue. When the Saints gathered in the afternoon, Brigham Young and others addressed the congregation, explaining the authority of the Twelve Apostles to lead the Church since Joseph had died.[15]
Many reported that, in both the morning and afternoon meetings, "Brigham sounded and appeared remarkably like Joseph Smith; others simply say that the 'mantle of Joseph' or the 'mantle of the prophets' rested on Brigham Young; and others state that they were given a witness 'by the spirit' that Brigham was to lead the Church."[16] One hundred and twenty-nine people bore witness of this manifestation. Just a few are included here:[17]
These divine witnesses helped Church members to know that Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles had been given the authority to lead the Church after Joseph died. Orson Hyde wrote that Joseph, shortly before his death, met with the Twelve to confer upon them keys and authority and declared, "Upon the shoulders of the Twelve must the responsibility of leading this church hence forth rest until you shall appoint others to succeed you."[18] Other Apostles shared similar testimonies of Joseph conferring upon them the authority to lead the Church:[19]
Other individuals also added their testimony that the keys and authority to lead the Church were with the Twelve. Recounting his experience of the August 8 meetings, Joseph Fielding wrote, "The Saints soon began to see how things were and that the 12 must now hold the Keys of Power and Authority according to the Revelation which says the 12 are equal with the first Presidency . . . it was also shewn that Joseph had told the 12 after he had instructed them in all things that on them would rest the Responsibility and the Care of the Church in Case he should be taken away."[20] Benjamin F. Johnson later recalled, "Of Brigham Young as President of the Church I will again bear this as a faithful Testimony that I do know and bear Record. that upon the head of Brigham Young as Chief with the Apostleship in full was by the voice of the prophet Joseph in in [sic] my hearing laid the full Responsability of bearing of the kingdom of God to all the world."[21]
By studying the testimonies and experiences of those who were present in 1844, and then seeking our own testimony, we can also know that Brigham Young was the divinely authorized successor to Joseph Smith.
Not all of the Saints accepted the Twelve as the divinely authorized successors to Joseph Smith. In the time immediately after the Twelve assumed leadership, many individuals (including Sidney Rigdon, James Strang, and others) led groups of dissenting Saints, though these movements quickly disbanded. Later, Joseph Smith III, with the assistant of William Marks, assumed leadership of another group of dissenting Saints. This movement endured and became known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now called the Community of Christ).[22]
Some Saints believed that the Church led by Brigham Young would eventually be led by Joseph Smith III, or another of Joseph Smith Jr.'s sons. Though Brigham Young himself hoped that Joseph's sons would one day become leaders in the Church, he acknowledged they had to do so "if that person conformed to the revelation of God and received that office humbly through the constituted apostolic authority that directed it at present."[23]
Video published by Saints Unscripted.
Key sources |
Lynne watkins Jorgenson, "Documents of Testimonies of the Mantle Experience," in John W. Welch, ed., Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844 (Second Edition) (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press).
|
Online |
|
Video |
Video by The Interpreter Foundation.
Video published by Saints Unscripted. |
Print |
|
Navigators |
Critical sources |
|
Notes
By studying these testimonies and experiences, and then seeking our own testimony, we can also know that Brigham Young was the divinely authorized successor to Joseph Smith.
Life and Character |
|
Youth |
|
Revelations and the Church |
|
Prophetic Statements |
|
Society |
|
Plural marriage (polygamy) |
|
Death |
|
Characteristics of Church Leaders |
|
Succession of the President of the Church |
|
Criticisms related to Church leaders |
|
Doctrine and official statements |
|
Other |
Video by The Interpreter Foundation.
In the early 1800s, God called Joseph Smith to restore the true Church of Christ and to serve as its first leader (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:2). God also provided a plan of succession: that the next Church leader would be appointed by Joseph Smith and would not serve until after Joseph was gone (see Doctrine and Covenants 43:3–4). Before he died, Joseph Smith appointed his successor, but "he had not announced a clear plan for succession [to Church members]. . . . One Church member living near Nauvoo said he heard people advocating for several potential leaders."[1]
Some individuals who were put forth as possible successors included:
Almost immediately after Joseph Smith's death on June 27, 1844, conflict arose among local Church leaders and others about who would succeed Joseph Smith. Throughout July 1844 local leaders met together and with Emma Smith to discuss possible succession options. They agreed to wait to make a decision until a majority of the Twelve Apostles returned to Nauvoo.[9] (The Twelve had been out on missions for Joseph Smith's campaign for President of the United States of America.) However, Sidney Rigdon (who had also been away from Nauvoo for the campaign) returned to Nauvoo on August 3 and immediately began advocating that the Saints appoint him as Joseph's successor. Sidney gained William Marks as a supporter, and William appointed a general assembly of the Church for August 8 to decide the question who would succeed Joseph Smith. Two days before the assembly, Brigham Young and several of the Twelve Apostles returned to Nauvoo, so that a majority of the Quorum was now in Nauvoo.[10]
On August 8, Church members met to decide who should lead the Church. In a morning meeting, Sidney Rigdon gave an impassioned speech that the authority to lead the Church was still on the earth and that he would be the spokesman for Joseph Smith. Brigham Young arose and lamented that there was such a hurry to appoint a successor but that he would call a meeting of priesthood quorums and general membership that afternoon to resolve the issue. When the Saints gathered in the afternoon, Brigham Young and others addressed the congregation, explaining the authority of the Twelve Apostles to lead the Church since Joseph had died.[11]
Many reported that, in both the morning and afternoon meetings, "Brigham sounded and appeared remarkably like Joseph Smith; others simply say that the 'mantle of Joseph' or the 'mantle of the prophets' rested on Brigham Young; and others state that they were given a witness 'by the spirit' that Brigham was to lead the Church."[12] One hundred and twenty-nine people bore witness of this manifestation. Just a few are included here:[13]
These divine witnesses helped Church members to know that Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles had been given the authority to lead the Church after Joseph died. Orson Hyde wrote that Joseph, shortly before his death, met with the Twelve to confer upon them keys and authority and declared, "Upon the shoulders of the Twelve must the responsibility of leading this church hence forth rest until you shall appoint others to succeed you."[14] Other Apostles shared similar testimonies of Joseph conferring upon them the authority to lead the Church:[15]
Other individuals also added their testimony that the keys and authority to lead the Church were with the Twelve. Recounting his experience of the August 8 meetings, Joseph Fielding wrote, "The Saints soon began to see how things were and that the 12 must now hold the Keys of Power and Authority according to the Revelation which says the 12 are equal with the first Presidency . . . it was also shewn that Joseph had told the 12 after he had instructed them in all things that on them would rest the Responsibility and the Care of the Church in Case he should be taken away."[16] Benjamin F. Johnson later recalled, "Of Brigham Young as President of the Church I will again bear this as a faithful Testimony that I do know and bear Record. that upon the head of Brigham Young as Chief with the Apostleship in full was by the voice of the prophet Joseph in in [sic] my hearing laid the full Responsability of bearing of the kingdom of God to all the world."[17]
By studying the testimonies and experiences of those who were present in 1844, and then seeking our own testimony, we can also know that Brigham Young was the divinely authorized successor to Joseph Smith.
Not all of the Saints accepted the Twelve as the divinely authorized successors to Joseph Smith. In the time immediately after the Twelve assumed leadership, many individuals (including Sidney Rigdon, James Strang, and others) led groups of dissenting Saints, though these movements quickly disbanded. Later, Joseph Smith III, with the assistant of William Marks, assumed leadership of another group of dissenting Saints. This movement endured and became known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now called the Community of Christ).[18]
Some Saints believed that the Church led by Brigham Young would eventually be led by Joseph Smith III, or another of Joseph Smith Jr.'s sons. Though Brigham Young himself hoped that Joseph's sons would one day become leaders in the Church, he acknowledged they had to do so "if that person conformed to the revelation of God and received that office humbly through the constituted apostolic authority that directed it at present."[19]
Video published by Saints Unscripted.
Key sources |
Lynne watkins Jorgenson, "Documents of Testimonies of the Mantle Experience," in John W. Welch, ed., Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844 (Second Edition) (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press).
|
Online |
|
Video |
Video by The Interpreter Foundation.
Video published by Saints Unscripted. |
Print |
|
Navigators |
Critical sources |
|
Notes
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