“President Brigham Young Leads the Saints”

Church History Lesson 34 (D&C 107:22-24)
August 14-20

 INTRODUCTION

With the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, many people predicted that the Church would cease to exist.

The New York Herald editorialized: “The death of the modern Mahomet will seal the fate of Mormonism. They cannot get another Joe Smith. The holy city must tumble into ruins, and the ‘latter day saints’ have indeed come to the latter day.”1

Predictions like these come from people who do not understand how the leadership of the Church is chosen and that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, not of any individual prophet who leads it. Rather then signaling its destruction, Willard Richards and President John Taylor wrote, “The blood of the martyrs [became] the seed of the Church.”2

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said, “No man of himself can lead this church. It is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ; he is at the head. . . . He chooses men and calls them to be instruments hi his hands to accomplish his purposes, and he guides and directs them in their labors. But men are only instruments in the Lord’s hands, and the honor and glory for all that his servants accomplish is and should be ascribed unto him forever. If this were the work of man, it would fail, but it is the work of the Lord, and he does not fail.”3

PRIESTHOOD KEYS

A Period of Uncertainty

Imagine that you lived in Nauvoo, Illinois, in July 1844 after the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were murdered. A feeling of uncertainty hung over Nauvoo for weeks thereafter.

President John Taylor’s terrible wounds were healing as he and Willard Richards, the only two of the Twelve in the city, consulted together. Elder Richards, in his role as one of the Twelve Apostles, took charge of the affairs of the Church until the entire Quorum of the Twelve returned from the east.

Most of the Apostles were away from Nauvoo at the time of the murder. President Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, was in Peterboro, Vermont when he heard of the Prophet’s death.

Several of the Apostles recorded feeling despair and grief on the day Prophet was killed, without knowing why. President Brigham Young, sitting in a railroad depot in Boston, overcome by a heavy depression of spirit. Several weeks later, he heard about the martyrdom while he was in Peterboro, Vermont.

President Young later wrote, “The first thing I thought of was when Joseph had taken the keys of the kingdom with him from the earth. Brother Orson Pratt sat on my left. We were leaning back in our chairs. Bringing hand down on my knee I said, ‘The keys of the kingdom are right here with the church.’ “4

The Twelve Hold the Keys of Presidency

The relationship of the First Presidency, Quorum of Twelve, and the Seventy had been revealed many years earlier (D&C 107:22–2), and this revelation provided the roadmap for succession in leadership of the Church.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said:

“In the year 1835, when the Twelve Apostles were chosen and their duties defined, the Lord declared that they were equal with the Presidency as a quorum. That is, in case of the dissolution or destruction of the First Presidency of the Church, the Twelve should succeed to the Presidency, and would thus act until such time and place as the Lord revealed that the First Presidency should be again organized. And whenever the First Presidency should be disorganized, it would devolve upon the quorum of Apostles to set in order and direct the affairs of the Church. . . .

“When the First Presidency is disorganized, the Twelve Apostles become the presiding quorum of the Church until the presidency is again organized, and during that time they are virtually the presidency of the Church—the presiding quorum. . . .

“If through some cause—which is not likely to arise—both these quorums should be destroyed, then it would devolve on the seventies to set in order the Church and they would become the presiding quorum. This is the law that God has revealed, and it is the only law and order of the priesthood that he has revealed for the guidance of the Church in succession. You may search the Doctrine and Covenants from beginning to end and will find no other law of succession.

“I think it must be conceded that the Apostles could not be equal in authority with the Presidency when the First Presidency is fully and properly organized. There could not be two heads—or three heads—of equal authority at the same time, for such a thing would lead to confusion. Hence the Apostles are equal, as has been stated, in that they have power to assume control of the affairs of the Church when the Presidency is dissolved by the death of the President.”5

When the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith were murdered in Carthage Jail, he taught that the keys of presidency rested with the Twelve whenever the First Presidency was absent or missing.6

In Nauvoo in the winter of 1843–44, the Prophet gave the Twelve the keys of the kingdom, gave them their endowments, and spent many days teaching them about their responsibilities.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said to the Twelve (as recalled by President Wilford Woodruff),

“Now, brethren, I thank God I have lived to see the day that I have been enabled to give you your endowments, and I have now sealed upon your heads all the powers of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods and Apostleship, with all the keys and powers thereof, which God has sealed upon me; and I now roll off all the labor, burden and care of this Church and Kingdom of God upon your shoulders, and I now command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to round up your shoulders, and bear off this Church and Kingdom of God before heaven and earth, and before God, angels and men.”7

PROPHETIC SUCCESSION IN NAUVOO

Sidney Rigdon’s Bid for Leadership

Sidney Rigdon also returned from his self-imposed exile in Pittsburgh. He spurned all efforts of the four members of the Twelve in Nauvoo to meet with him. The next morning (4 August) he preached to the Saints in their regular Sunday service and offered to take over the leadership of the Church as “guardian.”

Sidney Rigdon asked the stake president, William Marks, to call a meeting for 6 August to sustain a new leader. Marks called the meeting for 8 August instead, which allowed Brigham Young and the other members of the Twelve to arrive in Nauvoo (on the evening of 6 August) before the meeting convened.

The next day (7 August), the Twelve, the high council, and the high priests met to hear Sidney Rigdon’s claim that “no man can be the successor of Joseph,” but since he had been spokesman for Joseph when he was alive he should continue to speak for him now.8

President Brigham Young said, “I do not care who leads the church, . . . but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. . . . Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the Apostleship which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in this world or in the world to come. How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, `I have laid the foundation and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests.’ “9

President Brigham Young’s Miraculous Transformation

The Twelve called a meeting for the next day (8 August) at 10:00; AM, in the grove near the temple. Rigdon spoke in the morning for more than one hour. He won few if any adherents to his position.

President Brigham Young then spoke, and for many was transfigured as Joseph Smith, even to his voice. George Q. Cannon said, “It was the voice of Joseph himself,” and “it seemed in the eyes of the people as if it were the very person of Joseph which stood before them.”10 William C. Staines said, “I thought it was he, and so did thousands who heard it.”11

President Wilford Woodruff said, “If I had not seen him with my own eyes, there is no one that could have convinced me that it was not Joseph Smith, and anyone can testify to this who was acquainted with these two men.”12

The Saints Sustain President Brigham Young and the Twelve

President Brigham Young, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve, then called another meeting for 2:00 PM, where the two claims were to be voted on by the members.

President Brigham Young said:

“For the first time in my life, for the first time in your lives, for the first time in the kingdom of God in the 19th century, without a Prophet at our head, do I step forth to act in my calling in connection with the Quorum of the Twelve, as Apostles of Jesus Christ unto this generation—Apostles whom God has called by revelation through the Prophet Joseph, who are ordained and anointed to bear off the keys of the kingdom of God in all the world . . .

“When I came to this stand I had peculiar feelings and impressions. The faces of this people seem to say, we want a shepherd to guide and lead us through this world. All that want to draw away a party from the church after them, let them do it if they can, but they will not prosper. If any man thinks he has influence among this people to lead away a party, let him try it, and he will find out that there is power with the Apostles which will carry them off victorious through all the world, and build up and defend the church and kingdom of God. . .

Brigham spoke of completing the Nauvoo Temple, obtaining the endowment before going west, and the importance of the scriptures. He spoke of his love for Joseph Smith and for the Prophet’s family. He then put the question of Church leadership before the Saints for a vote. When the question of the Twelve leading the Church was put forward, Brigham Young said, “All that are in favor of this, in all the congregation of the saints, manifest it by holding up the right hand. (There was a universal vote). If there are any of the contrary mind, every man and every woman who does not want the Twelve to preside, lift up your hands in like manner. (No hands up).”13

The Quorum of the Twelve, with President Brigham Young as President of the quorum, presided over the Church for the next 3 ½ years. The First Presidency was formally reorganized on 27 December 1847, with President Brigham Young as the President of the Church.

FINISHING THE NAUVOO TEMPLE

The Nauvoo Temple Is Finished

The Saints continued to live in Nauvoo from June 1844 until their exodus to the west in February 1846, a period of nearly two years. During this time they vigorously pursued three areas of activity: Increased industrial growth to produce the items necessary for the western exodus.

—Increased missionary activity in the eastern United States, Canada, and Great Britain.

—Renewed determination to complete the temple.

At the same time that the Saints were preparing to move to the west, they were also fervently trying to complete the temple because of their desire to receive their endowments before leaving Nauvoo. President Brigham Young and members of the Twelve kept work on the temple moving by repeatedly inviting members to “gather to Nauvoo with their means” to help build the temple.

Rooms in the temple were dedicated as they were completed so that ordinance work could begin as early as possible. General conference convened in the partially finished edifice in October 1845. The attic story of the temple was dedicated for ordinance work 30 November 1845.

“The Fire of the Covenant”

President Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball began giving endowments to faithful Latter-day Saints on the evening of 10 December 1845. On 11 December endowment sessions were continued until 3 AM.

The Saints were anxious to receive their endowments before they headed west. President Brigham Young would later refer to the strength they received from their endowments as “the fire of the covenant” that burned within them. It helped them endure unspeakable hardships with faith.

President James E. Faust said, “The first two names that appear on the fourth company of the Nauvoo Temple register for that very day, February 3, 1846, are John and Jane Akerley, who received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple that evening. They were humble, new converts to the Church, without wealth or position. Their temple work was their final concern as they were leaving their homes in Nauvoo to come west. It was fortunate that President Young granted the wish of the Saints to receive their temple blessings because John Akerley died at Winter Quarters, Nebraska. He, along with over 4,000 others, never made it to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. William Clayton’s classic Mormon hymn “Come, Come, Ye Saints” captures well their faith: ‘And should we die before our journey’s through, happy day! All is well!”14

Temple Ordinances Cease

Temple work continued for the rest of the week, and the temple was then closed. All together, nearly 6,000 Saints received their endowments before commencing their westward journey.

THE SAINTS BEGIN THEIR EXODUS

In February, 1846, President Brigham Young and other members of the Twelve crossed the Mississippi River and started their historic journey to the west. The temple was not yet finished. Construction workers continued their labors and Truman Angel was charged to see that the temple was completed.

The Nauvoo Temple continued to be used each night for prayer meetings, and Sunday public services were conducted in the large main-floor assembly room. President Brigham Young returned on February 22, 1846, to conduct final business and hold a meeting in the temple’s main-floor assembly room.

The Temple Is Dedicated

On April 29, 1846, the temple was finally completed. A group of temple construction workers met with their wives in the attic of the temple and had a feast of cakes, pies, and other items to celebrate the event. They enjoyed themselves in prayer, preaching, and blessing children until midnight.

The following evening, April 30, 1846, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder Orson Hyde, and twenty others went to the temple for a private dedication of that sacred building. A private service was held because of the possibility of mob interference during the public service. Brother Joseph Young (Brigham’s brother) offered the dedicatory prayer.

He offered the temple to the Lord as a witness that His people sacrificed to fulfill His commandments. He prayed for the Twelve and other authorities of the Church. He prayed for the workmen who worked amidst persecution, for the leaders of the Camp of Israel that the way would be opened up for them to find a gathering place for the Saints.

The Temple Is Abandoned

On the Sunday following the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple, the Saints in Nauvoo gathered together in the temple for a Sabbath meeting. Orson Hyde discussed why the Saints had gone to all the trouble in completing the temple. During the weeks that followed, many families rolled down the street nicknamed the “Trail of Tears” and crossed the river to begin their trek to the west. With sad feelings they periodically stopped and gazed back for one last look at their city and temple.

The Temple Is Destroyed

During September 1846 the mobs succeeded in taking over the city and the temple. They marched up to the top of the tower, rang the temple bell and shouted insults to the departed Saints. Edwin Woolley observed, “The city is now in possession of the Mob, who are ransacking every house in it. . . . The temple is their headquarters, they have a barrel of whiskey in it and are drinking and carousing in mob style.”

Sometime during the October, 1846 the Nauvoo Temple bell was safely taken down from the temple and ferried across the river in Iowa. This bell, weighing more than 1,500 pounds was sent on to the Camp of Israel, on the banks of the Missouri River. It arrived in Winter Quarters during December and was used to call the Saints to gather together for meetings at the Winter Quarters. Today it hangs on a 35–foot tower, by the west gate on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

On October 9, 1848, Nauvoo’s citizens were awakened by a fire bursting out through the spire of the temple. The materials of the inside were so dry, and the fire spread so rapidly, that a few minutes were sufficient to wrap the entire temple in flames. Arson was suspected and a man name Joseph Agnew was accused of starting the fire and receiving a cash reward for the deed.

President Brigham Young said, “I hoped to see it burned before I left, but I did not. I was glad when I heard of its being destroyed by fire, and of the walls having fallen in, and said: “Hell, you cannot now occupy it.”15

THE TREK ACROSS IOWA (1846)

The Saints Begin Their Exodus

The first wagons rolled out of Nauvoo via ferry on 4 February 1846. That same month, President Brigham Young and other members of the Twelve crossed the Mississippi River and started their historic journey to the west.

Leaving Nauvoo was an act of faith for the Saints. They departed without knowing exactly where they were going or when they would arrive at a place to settle. They only knew they had to leave Illinois and their leaders had received revelation about a refuge somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

The way to this new refuge was not easy; it exacted toil, sacrifice, and death.

The first leg of the journey—the trek across Iowa territory—proved to be the hardest.

—The main “Camp of Israel” took 131 days to cover the 300 miles they traveled across Iowa.

—The pioneers a year later took only 111 days to cover 1,050 miles from Winter Qtrs to Salt Lake Valley.

Inadequate preparation, lack of knowledgeable guides, delays, miserable weather, and difficult terrain made the Iowa journey one of the most trying in the Church’s history.

Sugar Creek Camp

Once across the Mississippi River, the main body of Saints moved west 9 miles to Sugar Creek to set up camp and await the arrival of President Brigham Young.

During February over three thousand people crossed the river under the direction of Hosea Stout, captain of the Nauvoo police, and gathered at Sugar Creek.

At first, springlike weather facilitated their early departure from Nauvoo, but severe weather arose, which both hampered and blessed their hasty exodus.

On 14 February it snowed and on 19 February a northwest wind brought eight inches of snow, a very cold night, and much suffering. Willard Richards wrote, [There was] “much suffering in the camp, for there were many who had no tents or any comfortable place to lodge: many tents were blown down, some of them were unfinished and had no ends.”16

After President Brigham Young had left Nauvoo and crossed the river to the Iowa side, the mud became so deep his teams had to be yoked double to pull the wagons up the hill to Sugar Creek camp.

A week later the temperatures plummeted and the Mississippi froze over, hastening the exodus from Nauvoo by allowing many Saints to cross on the ice. Because of the extreme cold, however, many people, including Brigham, Young and Willard Richards, fell ill at Sugar Creek.

Wishing to be with their leaders and not be left behind, many people failed to follow the counsel to be prepared before leaving.

President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and a few others had begun the journey from Nauvoo with a year’s supply of provisions, but most others left with hardly any food. Their unpreparedness caused those who had brought provisions and were willing to share to deplete their supply within a few weeks.

President Brigham Young wrote, [The Saints] “were patient, and endured all their privations without murmuring . . . I did not think there had ever been a body of people since the days of Enoch, placed under the same unpleasant circumstances that this people have been, where there was so little grumbling, and I was satisfied that the Lord was pleased with the majority of the Camp of Israel.”17

WESTWARD ACROSS IOWA

Leaving Sugar Creek

The Saints did not begin leaving Sugar Creek until 1 March 1846. Eastern Iowa was somewhat settled, but beyond a hundred miles west of the Mississippi River the population was sparse, the roads few and bad. There were also numerous rivers and streams to traverse.

When the Saints renewed their march, they had several goals:

—Reach the Missouri River by mid-April
—Plant small acres of crops along the way for those following
—Establish a camp west of the Missouri as a way station for future travelers
—Dispatch a swift company to the mountains with seeds to plant a spring crop.

A Pioneer Company headed by Stephen Markham was sent ahead to scout the best routes, find trading settlements, build bridges, and make other preparations.

Difficulties and Delays

Three fundamental problems inhibited the progress of the Saints across Iowa:

—The lack of adequate food supplies made it necessary for many men to work in eastern Iowa towns to pay for needed supplies, making progress painfully slow.

—The disorganization of the camp, which was spread for miles across eastern Iowa. And the adventurous, independent, and competitive spirit of bishop George Miller and others created a need for stricter obedience and cooperation.

—Wet spring weather. Sudden melting snows, almost constant rain, swollen creeks, interminable mud, and violent wind also retarded progress. Diaries and journals show that it rained or snowed for a least eleven days in March, beginning on the tenth. The weather continued to deteriorate in April, and it rained or snowed half of the month, including every day of the last week. So many wagons mired in the mud that travel was reduced to less than half a mile per day.

Eliza R. Snow wrote of one such wintry night, [The wind was a] “perfect gale attended with a heavy shower of rain—and several of our habitations were leveled and the roofs of our wagons barely escaped the wreck of elements.”18

The weary travelers awoke the next morning to a little snow, a slight freeze, and a rising creek. With clothes and bedding often drenched and with the cold temperatures, frequent illnesses and occasional deaths further hindered travel.

“Come, Come Ye Saints”

By 15 April 1846 the camp was at Locust Creek near the present-day Iowa-Missouri state line.

William Clayton, frustrated with the slow progress of the camp and the burdens of caring for a large family, gratefully received news that his plural wife, Diantha, left behind for care and safety in Nauvoo, had given birth to a healthy boy. He thereupon composed a new song of praise to the Lord entitled “All Is Well” (today called “Come, Come, Ye Saints”), which became an anthem for many Mormon pioneers who subsequently crossed the plains to the Great Basin.

Rain continued to pour into the swollen Locust Creek, creating agonizing delays. The sufferings of the travelers, the weakened condition of their draft animals, the unaffordable high prices for feed grain, the disrepair of the wagons and equipment, their rapidly depleting food supplies, and no prospects for better weather all contributed to a reevaluation of the Saints’ course.

Church leaders prayerfully forged a new plan to establish farms or way stations along the route west. The dream of reaching the Rocky Mountains later that season was fading.

Garden Grove and Mount Pisgah

By 24 April the pioneers reached a place they named Garden Grove, 60 miles northwest of Locust Creek. It was about halfway across Iowa. Within three weeks they had broken 715 acres of tough prairie sod, built cabins, and established a small community. A high council was called to regulate both Church and civic affairs, and two hundred people were assigned to improve this first way station.

Garden Grove did not have enough timber to accommodate all the companies soon to arrive from Nauvoo, so the brethren sent scouts to explore the region. On May 18, Parley P. Pratt located some grassy hills crowned with beautiful groves twenty-five miles northwest of Garden Grove. He was overjoyed. Referring to the mountain Moses saw the promised land from, Parley cried out, “This is Mount Pisgah.”

A few days later President Brigham Young arrived and immediately organized second way station at Mount Pisgah. Another high council was appointed, and several thousand acres were cooperatively enclosed, planted, and farmed. President Brigham Young celebrated his 45th birthday there on 1 June 1846.

On to the Missouri River

During the first of June 1846 an advance company, including members of the Twelve, left Mount Pisgah and headed for the Missouri River.

It took only fourteen days to cover the final one hundred miles to the council Bluffs area on the Missouri River, partly because of dry trails and abundant grass.

Temporary headquarters were established at Mosquito Creek on Pottawattomie Indian land. They prepared landings and a boat to ferry the emigrant wagons across the Missouri in just two weeks.

Although they were two months behind the original schedule, the Brethren still hoped that an express company would be able to make it to the Rocky Mountains by fall. This was postponed after consultations with Captain James Allen of the United States army, who arrived on 1 July to raise a battalion of Mormon soldiers.

With the loss of so many men to the battalion, the westward migration was delayed for a season. The Saints would have to winter on Indian lands near the Missouri River.

Notes:

1. The New York Herald, Editorial, July 8, 1844.
2. History of the Church, 7:174.77.
3. In Conference Report, Apr. 1970, 113; or Improvement Era, June 1970, 26.
4. Tullidge, The Life President Brigham Young, 106.
5. Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Elder Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:254–255.
6. The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote a letter from Liberty Jail, January 16th, 1839, addressed to “Brothers H. C. Kimball and B. Young,” which said, among other things that “Inasmuch as we [the First Presidency] are in prison, for a little season, if need be, the management of the affairs of the Church devolves on you, that is the Twelve.” He added a postscript that said, “Appoint the oldest of those of the Twelve, who were first appointed, to be the president of your quorum.”
7. Clark, In James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3:134.
8. History of the Church, 7:229.
9. History of the Church, 7:230.
10. History of the Church, 7:236.
11. History of the Church, 7:236.
12. History of the Church, 7:236.
13. History of the Church, 7:239–240.
14. Ensign, May 1997, 18.
15. In Journal of Discourses, 8:202–203.
16. History of the Church, 7:593.
17. Watson, Manuscript History of President Brigham Young, 44, 131.
18. “Pioneer Diary of Eliza R. Snow,” Improvement Era, Apr. 1943, 208.