Just before his death, in blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob adopted the sons of Joseph as his own. Said he, "Let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;" _Gen_. 48. 16. For this reason, these two sons of Joseph, each, had a name as the head of tribes in Israel, "and he set Ephraim before Manasseh;" _Gen_. 48. 20. The Lord further declared through his prophet Jeremiah, "I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn;" 31. 9. By virtue of this adoption of Ephraim, as the head of the house of Israel, and Joseph Smith, Sen., being the oldest son of Ephraim, holding the Priesthood in this dispensation, he is Patriarch of the whole church, by right. This right should be perpetuated in his family, as the oldest branch of the tribe of Ephraim. If, from any cause, there should be failure of a son to exercise this right, then the office would be filled from the next eldest branch of the family. This has been the case in the short history of the church. When Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, the latter had no son old enough to fill the office of patriarch, and John, his eldest living brother, was ordained to the office vacated by his death. After the death of father John Smith, the office reverted back to the family of Hyrum Smith, for his oldest son John had grown to manhood, and was ordained Patriarch of the whole church. Bible. _Gen_. 8. 21, 22 God covenanted with Noah, that he would not again destroy all flesh. 9. 1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said, be fruitful and multiply. 24-27 Noah cursed Canaan, and blessed Shem and Japhet. 12. 1-3 the Lord promised Abraham that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed. 26. 4. 7 the land of Canaan promised to Abraham and his seed. 13. 15-17 I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth. 14. 18, 19 Melchisedek took bread and wine and blessed Abraham. 16. 10 the angel said to Hagar, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly. 17. 6 I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 God covenants to be a God to Abraham and his seed. 16 Abraham is promised that Sarah should be a mother of nations. 19 the Lord promised to establish his covenant with Isaac. 20 Ishmael to become a great nation. 22. 17 the seed of Abraham to possess the gate of their enemies. 24. 60 Rebecca to be the mother of thousands of millions. 25. 23 Rebecca is promised that she should be the mother of two nations. 27. 28, 29 Isaac's blessing on his son Jacob. 39, 40 Jacob's blessing on Esau. 28. 1-4 Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram and blesses him. 31. 55 Laban kissed and blessed his sons and daughters. 32. 12 Jacob claims the blessings of Abraham and Isaac. 24-29 the Lord wrestles with and blesses Jacob at Peniel. 35. 10-12 the Lord names Jacob Israel, and declares that a company of nations shall come of him. 46. 2-4 Jacob is promised that he should be made a great nation in Egypt, and be brought out again.