| 284 "We said nothing about the matter in those times, but kept it still. [After seating myself in the stand, I was reminded of one circumstance that occurred, which I omitted in my discourse. Men, women, and children came running together where we were, and asked us what was the matter. They said that their houses shook, and the ground trembled, and they did not know but that there was an earthquake. We told them that there was nothing the matter-not to be alarmed; the Lord was only whispering to us a little, and that he was probably not very far off. We felt no shaking of the earth or of the house, but were filled with the exceeding power and goodness of God.] We knew and realized that we had the testimony of God with us. On the sixth day of April following, at our Annual Conference, held in the Log Tabernacle at Kanesville, the propriety of choosing a man to preside over the church was investigated. In a very few minutes it was agreed to, and Brigham Young was chosen to fill that place without a dissenting voice, the people not knowing that there had been any revelation touching the matter. They ignorantly seconded the voice of the Lord from on high in his appointment. (Voice from the stand: 'That is Vox Dei, vox populi.') Yes, the voice of God was the voice of the people. Brigham went right ahead, silently, to do the work of the Lord, and to feed his sheep, and take care of them like a faithful shepherd, leaving all vain aspirants to quarrel and contend about lineal descent, right, power, and authority."-Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, pp. 233, 234.
The Twelve had it in contemplation to reorganize the church before the date fixed by Mr. Hyde for this wonderful manifestation, as will appear from an epistle written by them on December 23, 1847, and published in Millennial Star for March 15, 1848. (See this work, vol. 3, p. 20.) And according to a letter written by Brigham Young on January 23, 1848, and published in Millennial Star for April 15, 1848. The church at Winter Quarters had received Brigham Young as President about two months before this purported revelation was received. (See this work, vol. 3, p. 22.)
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