Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-18
THE CHURCH PRESIDENCY.

The reorganization Vi tAS "NN
idency Of the Church of Jesus christ
Of Latter-day Saints, which was Ell
fected at the meeting Of the Council
Of the Apostles on Thursday Is very
gratifying to the body OF the Church'
Although the Quorum Of the Twelve
hold authority equal to that OF the
First Presidency In the absence OF the
latter, II requires the existence, action
and influence OF all the presiding au-
thorities placed In the Church by revel-
alton, to make up that perfection OF or
ganization which characterizes the
Church Of Christ In the last dispense
ton.
In consequence Of the lapse OF time
between the martyrdom Of the first
President OF the Church and the APP
polntment OF his successor to that po-
sltion, a period Of about three years
and half, and the interim between the
death Of President Brigham Young and
the appointment Of President John
Taylor to succeed him, which was a
little over three years, the idea was en-
tertalned that these delays formed a
precedent to be followed as a matter OF
course This was partly confirmed by
q lapse OF nearly two years. between
the decease Of President John Taylor
and the accession of President MILFORD
Woodruff. But circumstances arose
which rendered necessary a different
policy, and therefore at the decease Of
President Woodruff, the Council Of the
Apostles remained but eleven days as
the presiding quorum Of the Church,
President Lorenzo Snow being then
sustained by that body as the President
OF the Church. There are property
holdings and considerations attached
TO the Office Of tee-inTrust, and al
so TO the First Presidency which re-
Qulre immediate attention and official
action, and there being no good reason
for extended delay, the reorganization
Of the presiding Quorum OF the Church
has been wisely effected,
As all things In this Church are to be
done "by common consent" It will be
necessary to ratify the action Of the
Apostles at Church conference 1t is
therefore announced that special con-
ference will meet on November 10 for
this purpose, when doubtless there VIII
be representatives present from the
various Stakes Of Zion to attend to that
business. Coming so soon after the
general conference, II viii not probably
draw or require so large a gathering OF
the Saints as is usual In April and oc-
tober.
Although these prompt proceedings
Occasloned some surprise they have
been met, so far with general satisfac-
ton. Everybody who mentions the mat"
ter speaks In terms Of approval, not
only Of the immediate reorganization OF
the First Presidency. but also OF the
choice which has been made. il was
fully expected that President Joseph +.
Smith would succeed President Lorenzo
Snow. This accession came In regular
order as provided by revelation. II also
tulflls a prediction made many years
ago In the Tabernacle in Ogden city by
Apostle Wilford Woodruff. In a pub
Tic meeting, that venerable Church
leader prophesed that Josc-.- f. Smith
would one day occupy the position fol-
merly held by his uncle the Prophet
Joseph We were present on that occa-
sion and made a mental note Of the
prediction, which was very forcibe ana
impressed itself strongly upon the
minds OF many persons in the congrega-
ton. and particularly OF prominent
men who were on the stand al the time
The qualifications OF President JOS
ph F. Smith for the position which h,
has been called TO occupy are well
known TO the Latter-day Saints, who
nave long looked forward 10 the time
when he would stand at the head OF
The Church. His life from his boyhooa
has been devoted 20 the laitcr-day
work His earnesiness. sincerity ana
thorough conviction Of iis divinity.
have been exhibited IN his entire career.
and have been stamped upon his per
'onality and have influenced his course
AZ home and abroad as n missionary.
in Apostle. a presiding officer a coun.
sclor q legislator. a man Of affairs.
,iuzen. a patriot, a husband. a father
and a worker for the elevation % hu
nanity. No one doubts his conscien-
iousness or his devotion 20 the Church
N which he was born and reared. ana
which has fommanIe3 all the ener.
gies Of his being up to the present mo
nent 4 feeling o. Intense sats.actlca
felt that he now stands at the Pro.
hhet. Seer and Revelaior TO ami Presi-