Page:History of Utah.djvu/245



CHAPTER YII.

BRIGHAM YOUNG SUCCEEDS JOSEPH.

1844-1845.

The QiTEsnoK of Succession — Biogkaphy op Beigham Young — His Early Life — Conversion— Missionary Work — Made President op the Twelve — His Devotion to the Prophet— Sidney Rigdon and Brig- ham 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 Mor- mons Consent to Abandon their City.

Upon the death of Joseph Smith, one of the ques- tions 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 deter- mined 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 Brig- ham Young, who soon made up his mind that he him- self 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 Avhether Joseph had taken the keys of the kingdom with him

Hist. Utah. 13 ( 193 )