#33 Brigham Young leads the Saints

D&C 107:22-25; P66-67 Our Heritage

D&C 107: 22-25 gives us the hierarchy of the church. Let’s talk about that for just a minute. We start with families, then ward leadership then stake leadership, and then comes area 70’s or quorums of the 70. There are at least 7 that we know of so far, but we will illustrate 1 quorum. (put enough cups face down, with pictures of seventies on them in a square to make a base) then we have the 12 apostles (put the cups with their faces on them face down on top, and in the middle of the seventy cups) then comes the 1st presidency (put their cups face down on top of that), then 1 cup on top with Christ’s picture on top of them. (It should look like a church)
When a prophet dies what happens?
Harold B. Lee said of the relationship between these quorums, “The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that ‘where the president is not, there is no 1st presidency.’ Immediately following the death of a president, the next ranking body, the quorum of the 12 apostles, becomes the presiding authority, with the president of the 12 automatically becoming the acting President of the church until a President of the church is officially ordained and sustained in his office”

So the members of the 1st presidency take their appointed places in the quorum, and until the new prophet, the senior apostle is sustained by the Lord and 2 counselors are inspired. The vacancy(ies) are filled by men from quorums of 70 or from BYU, if you are Elder Holland or Elder Bednar.

It’s been this way since Joseph Smith and Hyrum died, Brigham Young and the 12 met. They knew what was to take place and who was supposed to be the next prophet. Sidney Rigdon, who had been very distant from the church for a while came back and thought the new “guardian” should be him. He refused to talk to the brethren and get their support, instead he tried to get the support of the people- which few did.

*Read Our Heritage p66-67
The Lord knew who he wanted.
The Lord had shown the people through a special vision where the mantle had fallen! Everyone knew it-even Sidney Rigdon.
Brigham Young had been trained all along for this; the last year of Joseph’s life Brigham and him were inseparable. He trained by watching and learning all he could from Joseph. Remember a big part of his training came from Zion’s camp-how to lead an exodus, he had to lead an exodus of people from Missouri to Nauvoo. He was being prepared all along.

Well we know what happened, Brigham 1st helps as many people as possible receive their endowments in the temple, then he organized them into parties and led them to the Rocky Mountains. He had to deal with many tough circumstances and hardships but his testimony never wavered and he eventually led the Lord’s refined seasoned, dedicated, committed people into this valley. Well we know the history. We know a little about Brigham and how he was prepared to be the prophet for our day. I also love many prophets throughout that time since Brigham and I have a strong testimony that each of them was equally prepared and meant to be the prophet for their time and season. I picked a couple of prophets so we could see the Lord’s hand in choosing his prophets!

P240 of Presidents of the Church Institute manual
Joseph Fielding Smith: As a ten year old, he could be found in the barn studying the scriptures. He memorized the doctrines of the church through primary books on the gospel and children’s catechism, when he was just reading as a child he read all the standard works, church history books, and any other gospel books and pamphlets. He did this his whole life and committed himself to memorizing passages of scripture. Because of this his disposition he was a great scholar and defender of truth through the books and articles he wrote during a time of criticism of the church.

Spencer W. Kimball: His biggest push was missionary work. While he was young his father was called on a mission to the Lamanites, through this he developed a great love for these people. He also went on a mission to the Lamanites, just as his patriarchal blessing predicted. He lived his live with the attitude that the gospel was a cure-all for any problem the world faces. Marital problems-forgiveness, STD’s-abstinence, rebellion-love/charity, etc. With all the work he did among the Lamanites it was only appropriate that he be the one to announce that all men, despite their color or race could receive the priesthood, not long after segregation was starting to settle down.

Ezra Taft Benson: At 12 his father was called and served an honorable mission-He grew up in a home where missionary work was greatly appreciated.
At 16 he took a farm job and got really good at it and learned to work hard. He grew married and bought a farm, so that he could farm the rest of his life. As he was good at farming, he was asked to be the county agent to help other with their farms. Because he did so well at that he was asked to work at the University of Idaho. He served there in the church as Stake Presidency member, then President. He then was asked to go to Washington D.C to serve as Secretary of Farmers organization, then from there to Secretary of Agriculture. Through his job he lived the gospel often passing up “important” banquets to be with his family. He saw many things in his life through government and church and saw the power of the B of M. That became what he valued highly as prophet, was that we as a people, read the B of M and live the principles in it. He put the church on the map because he was a good person with high standards and normal living; he helped the world see that we have good things to offer.

President Gordon B. Hinckley: was very sick with many earaches as a child, his parents taught him to rely on the Lord and use the priesthood. He learned early what peace and love of the Lord felt like. He loved books. Loved to read and explore new things. He wasn’t afraid to tackle hard projects, especially after his mission. He asked many questions to his parents and they answered them all, they taught him that there is no question too hard and if you didn’t know the answer then you’d better check into it until you find out the answer.
After he graduated with his journalism degree the church gave him many assignments in writing pamphlets for for church to be used in missionary work. He was instrumental in writing the movies we see in the temples today. He had his hand in many things for public use in the missionary program. His parents spoke fondly of temples. His father was asked to start the buying and rebuilding of Nauvoo. He told Pres. Hinckley how he couldn’t wait to see the Nauvoo temple rebuilt, it was only appropriate that Pres. Hinckley announce the building of that temple. We also know that with all the things he put out there for the temple and missionary work that he be the one to announce all the 100+ temples to be built.
He had great optimism and humor in all things and situations, even in a world that seems so dismal. He joked about himself; he taught all things have a purpose. He taught that we should find humor in all things and enjoy life!

President Thomas S. Monson: Grew up in a home where parents served everyone and focused on the individual, despite their appearance and living circumstances. He was taught to love everyone as God does and never to judge. He was taught to treat all men, women, and children with love and respect. His parents taught him to work hard, but put the Lord first. He was stake president at such a young age. He is the prophet today, during the age where the world teaches selfishness and worldliness, worry about your own pleasure and nothing else. Do you think with his background you think he can teach us a thing or two about serving our neighbors, loving a respecting all people, despite their looks? I know he is called for a reason and during this season just as all the others. He is the prophet today of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ amen.