Brigham Young's Successor.
There can be no question but that in the death of Brigham the first presidency of the church ceases, and the government and control is with the quorum of the twelve apostles. Brigham, I am told, admitted this. Can the first pres-idency of the church be restored, on the same plan that Brigham restored it after the death of Joseph Smith? If that is a precedent, to govern all future actions of this character, then John Taylor is the man, as he occupies the position Brig-ham did when he received his appointment. In addition to this there is an in-fluential class of Mormons that will favor this, but he cannot unite the church.
Orson Pratt would be satisfactory to all the bishops, and a large class of the laity, and he would advance the affairs spiritually, but he is absent, and without means or influence of the kind to put him to the front.
George Q. Cannon, the present dele-gate to congress, is an aspirant, and, were it not for his denial of three wives to the congressional committee, would be a strong competitor. He had long been a popular man with the saints, till this occurred. His capability for the position would greatly strengthen his chances, but as it is he cannot hope for it.
Brigham was ambitious to confer this office upon his son John W. Young, audit was said upon the street to-day that Brigham had left a written bequest of the mantle to his son. I called to see Mr. Young, to reach the truth of the report, but found him engaged with the fami-ly, and did not see him. If it is true it might influence a few to support him, but it would be a small party. It is generally admitted by prominent Mormons that his chances for success look exceedingly slim.
David Smith, a son of the Prophet Joseph, is another candidate. In the lower classes, comprising the old regime, he is comparatively strong, but he lacks the influence of the leaders necessary to succeed. How many more are working secretly to secure this mantle of the Prophet is hard to say.
It has been the pride and boast of the Mormons, that Brigham was divinely called to fill this position, and now that he is dead, they say his successor will be called in the same way. As I understand the requirements of the Mormon Church, they mast have a prophet, and he must be appointed by God through inspiration to his chosen saints. If this is true, no precedent can avail John Taylor, and unmistakable evidence of this call must be forthcoming, to insure success to the others. One of the choos-ing principles of the Mormons is, that any man who seeks position is, by this very act, unfitted for it. The office must come to him, not he to the office. — Cor:
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