Part 34 (1/2)

Besides, Sidney Rigdon, one of the three first presidents, was alive, to press his claims to the leaders.h.i.+p, and not a few of the Saints openly favored his ambitious pretensions.

Who was to decide in such a controversy, and how was the right man to be known?

G.o.d had provided the way.

Elder Rigdon, on hearing of the martyrdom, had come in haste from Pittsburgh, whither he had retired some months before from the troubles and turmoils of persecuted Saint-life in Nauvoo, to offer himself as the ”guardian” and ”great leader” whom he declared was necessary to save Israel. Thus, the true shepherd, having ”laid down his life for the sheep,” the false one returned when the wolves had fled and the danger was thought to be over, to seize the laurels which another's valor had won. And this, forsooth, was the comforting message that he bore to the affrighted people:

”The anti-Mormons have got you! You can't stay in the country!

Everything is in confusion! You can do nothing! You lack a great leader! You want a head; and unless you unite upon that head you're blown to the four winds. The anti-Mormons will carry the election. A guardian must be chosen.”

Such was the situation at Nauvoo when Brigham, Heber and their companions returned. Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith had arrived some time before.

The great day came which Sidney Rigdon had set apart for the choosing of a guardian for the Church--August 8th, 1844. Sidney had spoken, urging his own claims as ”the identical man whom all the prophets had written and sung about” with their eyes upon that very hour and occasion; which vain-glorious remark provoked from Parley P. Pratt the humorous retort that he, himself, was ”the identical man that the prophets had not sung or written one word about.” Brigham Young was now addressing the vast congregation which a.s.sembled on that memorable day, in the grove where the Prophet had so often given the word of the Lord to Israel:

”If the people want Brother Rigdon to lead them, they may have him,”

Brigham declared. ”But I say unto you, the Twelve have the keys of the kingdom of G.o.d in all the world. The Twelve are pointed out by the finger of G.o.d. Here is Brigham; have his knees ever faltered? Have his lips ever quivered? Here is Heber and the rest of the Twelve, an independent body, who have the keys of the Priesthood, the keys of the kingdom of G.o.d to deliver to all the world; this is true, so help me G.o.d! They stand next to Joseph, and are the First Presidency of the Church.”

It was the voice of ”one having authority.” The dullest ear could detect the difference between such tones, such words, trembling with power, and the vain and empty babblings of the special pleader, Sidney. Which of these men the Spirit had chosen, was already manifest to the pure in heart among that mighty mult.i.tude.

But a still more marvelous manifestation awaited them. As Brigham proceeded his whole being became transfigured; his face shone like an angel's; his form seemed to dilate and expand, as though he were being lifted from the floor; his voice changed; his look, his very manner was that of another.

IT WAS JOSEPH, NOT BRIGHAM, WHO WAS SPEAKING!

Thousands saw it and testified of its truth. The mantle of the dead Prophet had fallen upon the shoulders of the living. Joseph, from behind the vail, had pointed out his own successor. G.o.d spake that day through Brigham Young, ”and all the people said Amen!”

No truer friend had Brigham Young than Heber C. Kimball.[A] ”Brother Brigham” had been his choice from the first, for he knew that he was the chosen of the Almighty, and as he had before stood by Joseph, he now stood firm at the side of his successor, a pillar of faith and power not to be broken.

[Footnote A: Heber often said that his love for Brigham exceeded his love for any member of his own family.]

CHAPTER L.

THE WORK MOVES ON IN SPITE OF PERSECUTION AND APOSTASY--THE NAUVOO TEMPLE FINISHED AND DEDICATED--THE SAINTS PREPARE FOR THEIR REMOVAL TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

The work of G.o.d was only expedited by the efforts made for its overthrow. The Apostles continued to send out missionaries to the nations, and hurried on the completion of the Temple.

Elder Rigdon, after his ineffectual attempt to seize the leaders.h.i.+p of the Church, had returned to Pittsburg, to nurse, as best he might, his wounded pride and disappointed ambition. Many, like him, were apostatizing and dividing into factions, but the main body of the Saints, ”taking the Holy Spirit for their guide,” stood true to Brigham and the Twelve. The Spirit was poured out mightily upon the faithful, and the good work, in spite of persecution and apostasy, went rolling on.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Residences of Church leaders in Nauvoo.]

It soon became evident to the enemy that the death of the Prophet, so far from destroying, or even impeding Mormonism, had only given it fresh impetus, an energy which they feared, if allowed to increase, might prove irresistible. They therefore renewed the attack, Brigham, Heber and the Twelve now being the especial objects of their animus.

Does not this fact, alone, tell where lay the authority?

The chief inciters of the opposition were the Laws, the Fosters, and the Higbees, apostates who had betrayed and sacrificed Joseph and Hyrum, with others who now joined them in their warfare against the Twelve. The most strenuous efforts were made, generally under cover of law, to get President Young into their power; and even his life, it is said, was attempted by the midnight a.s.sa.s.sin. Knowing their fell purpose, and remembering the fate of the martyrs, Joseph and Hyrum, who had tested the virtue of official pledges and the protecting majesty of the law in Illinois, Brigham and Heber wisely determined not to be taken.

From their secret retreats, where they were compelled to hide, at times, from the malice of their would-be destroyers, the Apostles came forth, on the morning of Sat.u.r.day, the 24th of May, 1845, to lay the cap-stone on the south-east corner of the Temple. The edifice was in due time completed and dedicated, and many of the Elders and Saints received their endowments within its sacred walls.