This painting by Nancy Harlacher depicts the ordination
of Joseph Smith III. He was ordained to be the second Prophet,
Seer, Revelator, and President of the Church on April 6, 1860,
at Amboy, Illinois. A brief account of those proceedings follows.
I would say to you, brethren, (as I hope you may be, and in
faith I trust you are,) as a people that God has promised his
blessings upon, I came not here of myself, but by the influence
of the Spirit. For some time past I have received manifestations
pointing to the position which I am about to assume.
I wish to say that I have come here not to be dictated by
any men or set of men. I have come in obedience to a power not
my own, and shall be dictated by the power that sent me.
God works by means best known to himself, and I feel that
for some time past he has been pointing out a work for me to
do.
For two or three years past deputations have been waiting
on me, urging me to assume the responsibilities of the leadership
of the church, but I have answered each and every one of them
that I did not wish to trifle with the faith of the people.
I do not propose to assume this position in order to amass
wealth out of it, neither have I sought it as a profit.
I know opinions are various in relation to these matters.
I have conversed with those who told me they would not hesitate
one moment in assuming the high and powerful position as the
leader of this people. But I have been well aware of the motives
which might be ascribed to me—motives of various kinds,
at the foundation of all of which is selfishness, should I come
forth to stand in the place where my father stood.
I have believed that should I come without the guarantee of
the people, I should be received in blindness and would be liable
to be accused of false motives. Neither would I come to you
without receiving favor from my Heavenly Father.
I have endeavored, as far as possible, to keep myself unbiased.
I have never conversed with J. J. Strang, for in those days
I was but a boy, and in fact am now but a boy. I had not acquired
a sufficient knowledge of men to be capable of leading myself,
setting aside the leading of others.
There is but one principle taught by the leaders of any faction
of this people that I hold in utter abhorrence. That is a principle
taught by Brigham Young and those believing in him. I have been
told that my father taught such doctrines. I have never believed
it and never can believe it. If such things were done, then
I believe they never were done by divine authority. I believe
my father was a good man, and a good man never could have promulgated
such doctrines.
I believe in the doctrines of honesty and truth. The Bible
contains such doctrines, and so does the Book of Mormon and
the Book of Covenants, which are auxiliaries to the Bible.
I have my peculiar notions in regard to revelations, but am
happy to say that they accord with those I am to associate with,
at least those of them with whom I have conversed. I am not
very conversant with those books [pointing to a volume before
him], not so conversant as I should be and will be. The time
has been when the thought that I should assume the leadership
of this people was so repulsive to me that it seemed as if the
thing could never be possible.
The change in my feelings came slowly, and I did not suffer
myself to be influenced by any extraneous circumstances, and
have never read the numerous works sent me which had a bearing
on this subject, for fear they might entice me into wrongdoing.
It is my determination to do right and let heaven take care
of the result. Thus I come to you free from any taint of sectarianism,
taints from thoughts of the varied minds I have come in contact
with; and thus the hope to be able to build up my own reputation
as a man.
It has been said that a Mormon elder, though but a stripling,
possessed a power unequaled by almost any other preacher. This
arises from a depth of feeling, and the earnestness with which
they believe the doctrines they teach; and it is this feeling
that I do not wish to trifle with.
I know that Brigham Young is considered a man of talent, by
some a bold and fortunate man, and by others an unscrupulous
and bad man, according as circumstances differ.
Should you take me as a leader, I propose that all should
be dealt with in mercy, open as to Gentile or Jew, but I ask
not to be received except as by the ordinances of the church.
Some, who had ought to know the proprieties of the church,
have told me that no certain form was necessary in order for
me to assume the leadership—that the position came by
right of lineage, yet I know that if I attempted to lead as
a prophet by these considerations, and not by a call from heaven,
men would not be led to believe who do not believe now. And
so I have not come of my own dictation to this sacred office.
I believe that we owe duties to our country and to society,
and are amenable to the laws of the land, and have always considered
it my duty to act upon this principle; and I do say that among
the people where I live I have as many good and true friends
as I could desire among those of any society.
The people of Hancock County have been strongly anti-Mormon,
and there I know of no enemies. I have been engaged in business
with anti-Mormons, I have mingled with them, and have not only
been obliged not to make any remarks which might give offense,
but also to smother my own feelings, if I had any. I hold no
enmity to any man living who has fought this doctrine, nor do
I know any who have enmity towards me. I hope there are none.
In conclusion, I will come to you if you will receive me,
give my ability, and the influence which my name may bring,
together with what little power I possess; and I trust by your
prayers and faith to be sustained. I pledge myself to promulgate
no doctrine that shall not be approved by you, or the code of
good morals.
I have my own short-comings, but I trust as a leader I shall
do nothing to lead astray. If I do so, I shall expect condemnation,
for I am satisfied that this people, governed by the same policy,
would serve me worse than they have Brigham Young before, for
I would be wholly deserted.
A gentleman from Utah informs me that a majority of Brigham
Young’s people were restive—not satisfied with their
condition—but dared say nothing. That those who preached
and those who practiced his teachings were, in reality, the
old fogies of the institution, the younger taking a different
view of matters.
I do not care to say any more at present, but will simply
add that if the same Spirit which prompts my coming, prompts
also my reception, I am with you (The Saints
Herald 98[July 2, 1951]:11–12).
"At the conclusion of the address by Brother Joseph, 'it
was moved that he be received as a prophet—the successor
of his father.' This carried by a unanimous vote" (The
Saints Herald 98[July 2, 1951]:12).
Brother
Joseph Smith ... came forth and was introduced by the president
in the following words, “I am pleased to introduce to
you, my brethren, Joseph Smith, the son of the Choice Seer.”
He then made an address after which a motion was made that he
be received and chosen to the office of president of the high
priesthood. 