The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901Linn, William Alexander
History
The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901
Linn, William Alexander
Latter Day Saints -- History; Utah -- History
Young began preaching and baptizing in the neighborhood, having at once
been made an elder, and in the autumn of 1832, after Smith's second
return from Missouri, he visited Kirtland and first saw the prophet.
Mormon accounts of this visit say that Young "spoke in tongues," and
that Smith pronounced his language "the pure Adamic," and then predicted
that he would in time preside over the church. It is not at all
improbable that Joseph did not hesitate to interpret Brigham's
"tongues," but at that time he was thinking of everything else but a
successor to himself.
Young, with his brother Joseph, went from Kirtland on foot to Canada,
where he preached and baptized, and whence he brought back a company of
converts. He worked at his trade in Kirtland (preaching as called upon)
from that time until 1834, when he accompanied the "Army of Zion" to
Missouri, being one of the captains of tens. Returning with the prophet,
he was employed on the Temple and other church buildings for the next
three years (superintending the painting of the Temple), when he was
not engaged in other church work. Having been made one of the original
Quorum of Twelve in 1835, he devoted a good deal of time in the warmer
months holding conferences in New York State and New England.
When open opposition to Smith manifested itself in Kirtland, Young was
one of his firmest defenders. He attended a meeting in an upper room
of the Temple, the object of which was to depose Smith and place David
Whitmer in the Presidency, leading in the debate, and declaring that
he "knew that Joseph was a prophet." According to his own statement, he
learned of a plot to kill Smith as he was returning from Michigan in
a stage-coach, and met the coach with a horse and buggy, and drove the
prophet to Kirtland unharmed. When Smith found it necessary to flee from
Ohio, Young followed him to Missouri with his family, arriving at Far
West on March 14, 1838. He sailed to Liverpool on a mission in 1840,
remaining there a little more than a year.
In all the discords of the church that occurred during Smith's life,
Young never incurred the prophet's displeasure, and there is no evidence
that he ever attempted to obtain any more power or honor for himself
than was voluntarily accorded to him. He gave practical assistance to
the refugees from Missouri as they arrived at Quincy, but there is no
record of his prominence in the discussions there over the future plans
for the church. The prophet's liking for him is shown in a revelation
dated at Nauvoo, July 9; 1841 (Sec. 126), which said:--
"Dear and beloved brother Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto
you, my servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave
your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me; I
have seen your labor and toil in journeyings for my name. I therefore
command you to send my word abroad, and take special care of your family
from this time, henceforth, and forever. Amen."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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