Description
The Voice From Above
On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith Jr. was murdered by a mob in Carthage, Illinois. That act dissolved the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Subsequently, in a meeting held in Nauvoo on August 8, 1844, the Church voted unanimously that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles be appointed to lead the Church—and so they did, but Brigham Young knew that the First Presidency needed to be reorganized for the Church to be fully functioning.
However, when he approached his brethren in the Quorum of the Twelve there were those members who felt it unnecessary—that the apostles were enough. After all, they as a Quorum held the same keys and authority. And according to Doctrine and Covenants 107:27, any decision made by that Quorum must be unanimous or it is not binding. From 1844 through to December 1847, Brigham had gently broached the subject. Even when President Young and others of the Twelve were returning to Winter Quarters after establishing a settlement in the Salt Lake Valley, he had discussed the matter with certain of the Apostles—to no avail.
In December 1847, a conference of the Church was called in Kanesville, Iowa. It was quickly discovered that there was not a building sufficient to hold the members of the Conference. The conference was dismissed and 100 men were called to build a new tabernacle that would accommodate 1000 members.
Meanwhile, President Young and the Quorum of the Twelve traveled ten miles east to Hyde Park, Iowa, where Orson Hyde had a home and a farm. They enjoyed a nice dinner, and in the evening came together for a council meeting. The subject of the First Presidency was brought up and discussed. As before, some were in favor of the move and others opposed it. There was disagreement, but agreeably; peace, harmony, and love prevailed among the Brethren. Suddenly, a voice that seemed to come from above spoke:
“Let my servant Brigham step forth and receive the full power and presiding priesthood in my Church and kingdom.”
Orson Hyde said that he looked up but saw no one. He further described the effect of that heavenly voice.
Every latent feeling was aroused and every heart was melted. This was the voice of the Almighty unto us. We knew and realized that we had heard the testimony of God. We did hear and feel the voice from heaven. We were filled with the power of God.
As they sat contemplating what had just happened, there came the sound of pounding feet and a knocking at the door. “What was that?” the neighbors asked, “It sounded like thunder.”
One of the apostles said:
“The Lord has only whispered to us a little. The voice of God has reached the earth. He is probably not very far off.”
The neighbors quietly backed away and returned to their homes. Again, the Apostles sat in silence. Then on impulse, Orson Hyde spoke:
“I move that Brigham Young be made the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that he nominate his two counselors and that they three form a first presidency.”
And so it happened. President Brigham Young nominated Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as his two counselors.
Then December 27, 1847, before approximately 1000 members in the newly constructed Kanesville Tabernacle it was presented to the Church that a new First Presidency be organized. The proposal was unanimously approved and once again, the Quorum of Three Presiding High Priests was established.
Source:
History of the Saints interview with Winter Quarters Scholar Gail Holmes, August 2011. Transcript in author’s possession
