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Joseph’s Boys

After Joseph Smith’s death it was expected that his son would someday lead the Mormon Church, although he was too young at the time. John D. Lee stated: Before proceeding further, we must learn who was to he he successor of the Prophet to lead the Church. It was then understood among the Saints that young Joseph was to succeed his father, and that right justly belonged to him. Joseph, the Prophet, had bestowed that right upon him by ordination, but he was too young at that time to fill the office and discharge its solemn duties. Some one must fill the place until he had grown to more mature age. . . . Time passed on until the whole twelve got in from their missions, and a conference was held, . . . Brigham Young arose and roared like a young lion, imitating the style and voice or Joseph, the Prophet. Many of the brethren declared that they saw the mantle of Joseph fall upon him. I myself, at the time, imagined that I saw and heard a strong resemblance to the Prophet in him, and felt that he was the man to lead us until Joseph’s legal successor should grow up to manhood, when he should surrender the Presidency to the man who held the birthright. (Confessions of John D. Lee, photomechanical reprint of 1880 edition, page 155) On June 29, 1856, Heber C. Kimball, a member of the First Presidency, made this statement concerning Joseph Smith’s boys: “At present the Prophet Joseph’s boys lay apparently in a state of slumber, everything seems to be perfectly calm with them, but by and bye God will wake them up, and they will roar like the thunders of Mount Sinai” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, page 6).

Brigham Young, the second President of the Mormon Church, made this statement on June 3, 1860: What of Joseph Smith’s family? What of his boys? . . . They are in the hands of God, and when they make their appearance before this people, full of his power, there are none but what will say— “Amen! we are ready to receive you.”

The brethren testify that brother Brigham is brother Joseph’s legal successor. You never heard me say so. . . . I do not think anything about being Joseph’s successor. That is nothing that concerns me. (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, page 69)

As it ended up the Mormon people did not receive Joseph Smith’s sons as Brigham Young prophesied. One of Joseph Smith’s sons became the president of the Reorganized LDS Church—this is the church which actively fought against some of the doctrines of the Utah LDS Church.

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