The first mention of Brigham Young in latter-day scripture is D&C 124:127-128, in which he was called in January 1841 to be "a president over the Twelve traveling council; which Twelve hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom. . . ."

Another revelation pertaining to Brigham Young was received on July 9, 1841, and is recorded as Section 126.Brigham Young showed great promise as a leader in the gospel cause from the time of his baptism on April 14, 1832. The Prophet and Brigham Young first met on Nov. 8, 1832, when Brigham and his brother, Joseph, and Heber C. Kimball traveled from Mendon, N.Y., to spend four or five days at Kirtland, Ohio.

The Prophet wrote: "At one of our interviews, Brother Brigham Young and John P. Greene spoke in tongues, which was the first time I had heard this gift among the brethren; others also spoke, and I received the gift myself." (History of the Church 1:296-97.)

Later that same day (Nov. 8, 1832), Joseph Smith told others, "The time will come when Brother Brigham will preside over this Church." (Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, p. 797.)

At a conference held Aug. 16, 1841, in Nauvoo, the Prophet said, "The time has come when the Twelve should be called upon to stand in their place next to the First Presidency, and attend to the settling of emigrants and the business of the Church at the Stakes, and to assist to bear off the kingdom victoriously to the nations." (History of the Church 4:403.)

The significance of the Prophet's statement is explained in a footnote on page 797 of Doctrine and Covenants Commentary: ". . . Therefore, Brigham Young, the President of the Twelve, was called to stand next to the First Presidency. Why? To take his place, whenever the Prophet should be called to another sphere of action. By this revelation, the Spirit indicated that Brigham Young was to be the successor of Joseph Smith, as the Prophet had predicted in 1832."

Smith and Sjodahl said the "career" of Brigham Young was missionary work. Soon after his baptism he went on a mission to Canada, and traveled as a missionary twice to the Eastern states, and was among members of the Twelve who labored in Great Britain.

Section 126 commended him for his labors and affirmed "it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me." (D&C 126:1.)

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the gospel doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: History of the Church, by Joseph Smith; Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl; A Companion to Your Study of the Doctrine and Covenants, by Daniel H. Ludlow.