Elder Young was then about to put the question to the assembled quorums as to whether they wanted Elder Rigdon for a leader, when, at the request of the latter, the question on supporting the Twelve as the presiding quorum in The Church was first put in the following manner: Do The Church want, and is it their only desire, to sustain the Twelve as the First Presidency of this people? * * * If The Church want the Twelve to stand as the head of this Kingdom in all the world, stand next to Joseph, walk up into their calling, and hold the keys of this Kingdom--every man, every woman, every quorum is now put in order, and you are now the sole controllers of it--all that are in favor of this in all the congregation of the Saints, manifest it by holding up the right hand. (There was a universal vote.) If there are any of a contrary mind--every man and every woman who does not want the Twelve to preside, lift up your hands in like manner. (No hands up.) This supersedes the other question, and trying it by quorums. [11] This disposed of Sidney Rigdon. He had full opportunity to present his case before The Church. The Saints had full opportunity and liberty to vote for him had they wanted him for their leader; but they rejected him and sustained the Twelve. Footnotes 1. Book of Mormon, Ether, Chap. xii. 2. Doc. & Cov., Sec. cxxiv, 103-106. 3. Tract on Sidney Rigdon, by Jedediah M. Grant, pp. 15, 16. 4. History of Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Volume xxv, page 215. 5. History of Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Volume xxv, page 215. 6. The above remark of President Woodruff's is taken from a testimony of his following a discourse on the subject of Priesthood and the right of succession, delivered by the writer.--_Deseret Evening News_, March 12, 1892. 7. Heber C. Kimball. 8. William Law had been a counselor to the Prophet Joseph, but was found in transgression and apostasy, had been excommunicated, and was among those who brought about the martyrdom at Carthage. 9. Millennial Star, volume xxv: pages 216, 231-32-33. 10. Millennial Star, volume xxv: page 264. 11. That is, whether The Church wanted to have Sidney Rigdon for a "guardian" or leader. CHAPTER XL. THE TRIAL OF THE MURDERERS. MEANTIME there was considerable excitement in Hancock County, since the mob party were determined to elect officers who would screen the murderers of the Prophets. The Saints were equally determined to vote for those whom they believed would sustain law and order; and the following were put forward as candidates for the county and district offices and elected: M. R. Deming, sheriff; D. H. Wells, coroner; George Coulson, commissioner; J. B. Backenstos and A. W. Babbitt, representatives. The account of the trial of the miscreants charged with the murder of the Prophet I take from Gregg's "History of Hancock County," beginning at page 328: TRIALS AND ACQUITTALS.