Page:History of Utah.djvu/249



MISSIONARY LABORS. 197

they held a conference, relaid the foundation of the house of the Lord,^° and ordained Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith as apostles in place of those who had fallen from grace. "Thus," says Brigham, "was this revelation fulfilled, concerning which our enemies said, if all the other revelations of Joseph Smith came to pass, that one should not be fulfilled."

Upon the excommunication of Thomas B. Marsh, in 1839, the office of president of the twelve devolved by right on Brigham by reason of his seniority of membership. On the 14th of April, 1840, he was publicly accepted by the council as their head, and at the reorganization of the church councils at Nauvoo he was appointed by revelation on the 19th of Janu- ary, 1843, president of the twelve travelling council.

After the founding of Nauvoo, the president, to- gether with three others of the quorum,^^ sailed for Liverpool, where they arrived on the 6th of April, 1840, the tenth anniversary of the organization of the church. Here he was engaged for about a year in missionary work, of which more hereafter. Taking ship for 'New York on the 20th of April, 1841, he reached Nauvoo on the 1st of July, and was warmly welcomed by the prophet, who a few days afterward ^^ received the following revelation: "Dear and well- beloved brother Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your ofiering is acceptable to me; I have seen your labor and toil in journey ings for my name. I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take special care of your family from this time henceforth and forever. Amen."

Already the mantle of the prophet was falling upon the president of the twelve; already the former had

^° ' Elder Cutler, the master workman of the house, recommenced laying the foundation by rolling up a large stone near the south-east corner.' Id., 92.

" Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, and Parley P. Pratt. Reuben Hedlock also accompanied them.

'^On July 9th. Doctrine and Covenants, 409.