Church History
Church HistorysuccessionBrigham Youngkeys

The Succession Crisis of 1844

Who was the rightful successor after Joseph Smith was killed?

Bible

The Bible answers

Bible · Acts 1:21–26

KJV + NRSVUE

They filled Judas’s office. Keys move. Churches that cannot name a successor are the experiment.

King James Version

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us… must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection… and the lot fell upon Matthias.

NRSVUE

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us… must become a witness with us to his resurrection… and the lot fell on Matthias.

Book of Mormon

Also restored

Doctrine and Covenants 107:23–24

The Twelve form a quorum equal in authority. That is why Brigham, not a stranger, held the keys.

The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles… they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned.

Faithful answers

FAIR

Succession in the Presidency

FAIR Latter-day Saints

Joseph spent the last years of his life conferring the keys of the kingdom on the Twelve. Sidney Rigdon claimed a guardianship; others claimed bloodline or new revelation. The documented transfer of keys, plus the Saints’ sustaining vote, is how the Lord led the Church west. Living apostles still hold those keys.

The question is not who loved Joseph. The question is who received the keys Joseph restored.

  • D&C 107 makes the Twelve equal in authority to the First Presidency when the President is gone.
  • The Nauvoo Saints voted with their feet and their hands.
  • Apostolic succession is the New Testament pattern renewed.
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