| 5 This was a misrepresentation of the case in part if the report of the conference referred to was correctly printed in the same issue of his paper. The report fails to show any such resolution passed as the one stated in the above editorial. The published report shows that the resolution passed was simply this: "'All in favor of supporting the Twelve in their calling (every quorum, man, and woman) signify it by the uplifted hand,' and the vote was unanimous," etc.- Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 638.
Orson Hyde in a lecture delivered before the High Priests' Quorum at Nauvoo, April 27, 1845, states it substantially the same:-
"The question was then put: 'All in favor of supporting the Twelve in their calling' (the several quorums of officers being present and duly arranged in order) 'signify it by the uplifted hand.' The vote was unanimous; not a hand being raised in the negative."-Speech of Orson Hyde, p. 13.
There was nothing in this motion that any member of the church could not or should not have voted for, providing the Twelve were not in transgression. It did not, however, commit those who voted for it to the position stated in Mr. Taylor's editorial.
Soon after the death of the martyrs, Elder Rigdon came to Nauvoo and presented his claims. He maintained that he was the legal guardian of the church, entitled to preside by virtue of his being the only surviving member of the First Presidency, and that according to inspired instruction he was equal with Joseph Smith in holding the keys of the kingdom. 3
Prior to the special conference, August 8, 1844, he addressed an assembly in the grove near the temple in advocacy of his claim, and by consultation and agreement with William Marks, President of the Stake, appointed the conference of the 8th. Some of the Twelve, however, arrived before the date of the conference. Brigham Young it appears assumed control of the meeting.
It is claimed by some that Rigdon addressed the meeting. Elder B. H. Roberts states:-
3 See Doctrine and Covenants, section 87:3.
(page 5) |
