`Attention all! This congregation makes me think of the
days of King Benjamin, the multitude being so great that all could not hear. I
request the brethren not to have any feelings for being convened this afternoon,
for it is necessary; we want you all to be still and give attention, that all
may hear. Let none complain because of the situation of the congregation, we
will do the best we can.
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.
This people have hitherto walked by sight and not by faith. You have had
the Prophet in your midst. Do you all understand? You have walked by sight and
without much pleading to the Lord to know whether things were right or not.
Heretofore you have had a Prophet as the mouth of the Lord to speak to
you, but he has sealed his testimony with his blood, and now, for the first
time, are you called to walk by faith, not by sight.
The first position I take in behalf of the Twelve and the people is, to
ask a few questions. I ask the Latter-day Saints: do you, as individuals, at
this time, want to choose a Prophet or a guardian? Inasmuch as our Prophet and
Patriarch are taken from our midst, do you want some one to guard, to guide and
lead you through this world into the kingdom of God, or not? All that want some
person to be a guardian or a Prophet, a spokesman or something else, signify it
by raising the right hand. (No votes).
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
What do the people want? I feel as though I wanted the privilege to weep
and mourn for thirty days at least, then rise up, shake myself, and tell the
people what the Lord wants of them; although my heart is too full of mourning to
launch forth into business transactions and the organization of the church, I
feel compelled this day to step forth in the discharge of those duties God has
placed upon me.
I now wish to speak of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. If the church is organized, and you want to know how it is
organized, I will tell you. I know your feelings--- do you want me to tell your
feelings?
Here is President Rigdon, who was counselor to Joseph. I ask, where are
Joseph and Hyrum? They are gone beyond the veil; and if Elder Rigdon wants to
act as his counselor, he must go beyond the veil where he is.
There has been much said about President Rigdon being President of the
Church, and leading the people, being the head, etc. Brother Rigdon has come
1,600 miles to tell you what he wants to do for you. If the people want
President Rigdon to lead them they may have him; but I say unto you that the
Quorum of the Twelve have the keys of the kingdom of God in all the world.
The Twelve are appointed by the finger of God. Here is Brigham, have his
knees ever faltered? Have his lips ever quivered? Here is Heber and the rest of
the Twelve, an independent body who have the keys of the priesthood---the keys
of the kingdom of God to deliver to all the world: this is true, so help me God.
They stand next to Joseph, and are as the First Presidency of the Church.
I do not know whether my enemies will take my life or not, and I do not
care, for I want to be with the man I love.
You cannot fill the office of a prophet, seer and revelator: God must do
this. You are like children without a father and sheep without a shepherd, You
must not appoint any man at our head; if you should, the Twelve must ordain him.
You cannot appoint a man at our head; but if you do want any other man or men to
. lead you, take them and we will go our way to build up the kingdom in all the
world.
I know who are Joseph's friends, and who are his enemies. I know where
the keys of the kingdom are, and where they will eternally be. You cannot call a
man to be a prophet; you cannot take Elder Rigdon and place him above the
Twelve; if so, he must be ordained by them.
I tell you there is an over anxiety to hurry matters here. You cannot
take any man and put him at the head; you would scatter the saints to the four
winds, you would sever the priesthood. So long as we remain as we are, the
heavenly Head is in constant cooperation with us; and if you go out of that
course, God will have nothing to do with you.
Again, perhaps some think that our beloved Brother Rigdon would not be
honored, would not be looked to as a friend; but if he does right and remains
faithful he will not act against our counsel nor we against his, but act
together, and we shall be as one.
I again repeat, no man can stand at our head, except God reveals it from
the heavens.
I have spared no pains to learn my lesson of the kingdom in this world
and in the eternal worlds; and if it were not so, I could go and live in peace;
but for the gospel and your sakes I shall stand in my place. We are liable to be
killed all the day long. You have never lived by faith.
Brother Joseph, the Prophet, has laid the foundation for a great work,
and we will build upon it; you have never seen the quorums built one upon
another. There is an almighty foundation laid, and we can build a kingdom such
as there never was in the world: we can build a kingdom faster than satan can
kill the saints off.
What do you want? Do you want a patriarch for the whole church? To this
we are perfectly willing. If Brother Samuel H. Smith had been living, it would
have been his right and privilege; but he is dead, he is gone to Joseph and
Hyrum, he is out of the reach of bullets and spears, and he can waft himself
with his brothers, his friends and the saints.
Do you want a patriarch? Here is brother William [Smith] left; here is
Uncle John Smith, uncle to the Prophet Joseph left; it is their right. The right
of patriarchal blessings belongs to Joseph's family.
Do you want a Trustee-in-Trust? Has there been a bishop who has stood in
his lot yet? What is his business? To take charge of the temporal affairs, so
that the Twelve and the elders may go on their business. Joseph condescended to
do their business for them. Joseph condescended to offer himself for president
of the United States, and it was a great condescension.
Do you want a spokesman? Here are Elder Rigdon, Brother Amasa Lyman [whom
Joseph expected to take as a counselor] and myself. Do you want the church
properly organized, or do you want a spokesman to be chief cook and
bottle-washer? Elder Rigdon claims to be spokesman to the Prophet. Very well, he
was; but can he now act in that office: If he wants now to be a spokesman to the
Prophet, he must go to the other side of the veil, for the Prophet is there, but
Elder Rigdon is here. Why will Elder Rigdon be a fool? Who knows anything of the
priesthood, or of the organization of the kingdom of God. I am plain.
Does this church want it as God organized it? Or do you want to clip the
power of the priesthood, and let those who have the keys of the priesthood go
and build up the kingdom in all the world, wherever the people will hear them?
If there is a spokesman, if he is a king and priest, let him go and build
up a kingdom unto himself; that is his right and it is the right of many here
but the Twelve are at the head of it.
I want to live on the earth and spread truth through all the world. You
saints of latter-days want things right. If 10,000 men rise up and say they have
the Prophet Joseph Smith's shoes, I know they are impostors. In the priesthood
you have a right to build up a kingdom, if you know how the church is organized.
Now, if you want Sidney Rigdon or William Law to lead you, or anybody
else, you are welcome to them; but I tell you, in the name of the Lord that no
man can put another between the Twelve and the Prophet Joseph. Why? Because
Joseph was their file leader, and he has committed into their hands the keys of
the kingdom in this last dispensation, for all the world; don't put a thread
between the priesthood and God.
I will ask, who has stood next to Joseph and Hyrum? I have, and I will
stand next to him. We have a head, and that head is the Apostleship, the spirit
and power of Joseph, and we can now begin to see the necessity of that
Apostleship.
Brother Rigdon was at his side---not above. No man has a right to counsel
the Twelve but Joseph Smith. Think of these things. You cannot appoint a
prophet; but if you let the Twelve remain and act in their place, the keys of
the kingdom are with them and they can manage the affairs of the church and
direct all things aright.
Now, all this does not lessen the character of President Rigdon: let him
magnify his calling, and Joseph will want him beyond the veil---
let him be careful what he does, lest that thread which binds us together
is cut asunder. May God bless you all.'
(Much more was said by President Young, but not written).