The podcast dives into the crucial vote on August 8, 1844, that determined the future leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It contrasts the divergent paths of Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young, exploring tensions during the succession crisis. A vibrant discussion unfolds around the alleged transfiguration of Brigham Young, captivating early followers. Insights into the implications of this leadership choice reveal how it forever shaped the church's trajectory amidst internal strife and external pressures.
The pivotal vote on August 8, 1844, determined the future leadership of the Church, impacting its direction and doctrines significantly.
Sidney Rigdon's attempts to claim leadership through dramatic rhetoric contrasted sharply with Brigham Young's organized approach to unify the congregation.
The overwhelming support for Brigham Young during the vote marked a critical shift, establishing a leadership paradigm that influenced the church's progression.
Deep dives
The Pivotal Voting Day
On August 8, 1844, Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo faced a crucial decision regarding who would lead the church after the deaths of Joseph and Hiram Smith. The primary contenders were Sidney Rigdon, Joseph's first counselor, and Brigham Young, leading the apostles. This vote was deemed critical as it would determine not only leadership but also the future direction of the church - whether to adhere to Nauvoo revelations or revert to earlier practices from Kirtland. The outcome of this meeting held the potential to alter the trajectory of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints permanently.
The Historical Context of Succession
In the lead-up to the pivotal voting day, there were various proposed paths to leadership following the Smith brothers' martyrdom. Eight different paths were identified, including succession by a counselor, a special appointment, or the quorum of the twelve apostles. As tensions rose, concern grew about a possible fragmentation within the church, highlighted by individuals expressing loyalty to diverse leaders, including Rigdon and Young. This ultimately set the stage for the confrontation that would define the church's leadership and doctrinal future.
Sidney Rigdon's Early Claims
Sidney Rigdon attempted to establish himself as the rightful leader through powerful speeches and visions in the days leading up to the vote. He claimed that he was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and positioned himself as the guardian of the church, calling for a special meeting to confirm his leadership. His fervent rhetoric included alarming statements about impending threats, thus trying to unify the congregation under his leadership. Rigdon's insistence on hastily organizing the meeting was seen by many as an opportunistic move, attempting to secure his position before the apostles arrived.
The Showdown Between Rigdon and Young
The arrival of Brigham Young and the majority of the apostles provided a dramatic turn of events. Young quickly asserted his authority during the gathering, challenging Rigdon's claims and emphasizing the need for an organized and formal voting process. His presence rallied the support of church members, who began to resonate with his leadership and vision for the church while expressing skepticism towards Rigdon's approach. The mounting tension culminated in an essential meeting where both Rigdon and Young presented their cases, leading to an anticipated confrontation for the future leadership of the church.
The Decision and Its Aftermath
When the pivotal vote took place, church members overwhelmingly supported Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles as leaders of the church. Witnesses reported the spiritual intensity of the meeting, with some claiming that Brigham Young had taken on attributes reminiscent of Joseph Smith. This moment of unity among the apostles and church members signaled a significant shift in direction, anchoring the church firmly behind the Twelve while sidelining Rigdon's claims. The aftermath solidified Young's position and established a new leadership paradigm that would continue to influence the church's governance and doctrine for generations.
Aside from a small handful of events, like the First Vision, the translation of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of priesthood keys, it is possible that what happened in Nauvoo on August 8th, 1844 was the most critical, pivotal moment in our history forever shaping the trajectory of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was the day Church members in Nauvoo voted on who would lead the Church following the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. And the stakes could not have been higher as they decided between Joseph’s first counselor, Sidney Rigdon, on the one hand, and the Twelve Apostles led by Brigham Young on the other, because the choice at hand was not just about who would lead the Church, but ultimately about what kind of Church that would be. Would the Church hold onto and perpetuate the Nauvoo doctrines and practices, or abandon them in favor of returning to a more Kirtland or even Fayette-era type church? With this vote, the future of the Church hung in the balance.
On this episode of Church History Matters, we walk through the six days in August leading up to and including this meeting of August 8th. And we weigh into the controversy about whether or not God actually transfigured Brigham Young in front of the crowd to make him look and sound like Joseph Smith.
