Origin of the 'Reorganized' Church and the Question of Succession

In Short

Written in 1909 by an LDS apostle, this polemical treatise defends the succession of Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles following the murder of Joseph Smith. Facing aggressive proselyting in Utah by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the author counters claims that the original church apostatized or lost its divine authority. Through scriptural citations, historical minutes, and church revelations, he argues that authority passes through quorums rather than direct biological lineage, framing the Salt Lake organization as the true, unbroken continuation of Smith's original restoration.

The Story

The argument begins by detailing a immediate conflict: the arrival of Reorganite ministers in Utah between 1906 and 1907. These traveling preachers launched vocal attacks against Brigham Young and the Utah leadership, attempting to win converts by accusing the Western church of corruption, false doctrine, and apostasy. In response to these provocations, Joseph Fielding Smith mounts a exhaustive legalistic defense of the Salt Lake church's authority.

The narrative of succession turns back to the crisis of 1844, following the martyrdom of Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois. Smith establishes that the Prophet had fully endowed the Twelve Apostles with all necessary priesthood keys and instructions prior to his death. Contrary to the Reorganites' contention that Joseph Smith's son was meant to inherit leadership as an imperial dynasty, the text demonstrates that the birthright of priesthood authority was structured around quorums. When the First Presidency was dissolved by death, the Quorum of the Twelve naturally became the supreme governing body.

Smith addresses the physical state of the early church to refute allegations of abandonment or divine rejection. He contrasts the hardships of the prairie exodus with historical testimony, demonstrating that the main body of faithful believers willingly followed Brigham Young into the Western wilderness in accordance with prophecies made by Joseph Smith as early as 1842. Claims that the Nauvoo Temple was left unfinished—thereby invalidating the church's divine mandate—are systematically dismantled using dedication records from May 1846 and scriptural analysis showing that God accepts the faithful, diligent labor of His people even amidst persecution.

The final portion of the book examines doctrinal divergences between the two groups. Smith addresses charges regarding the Godhead, plural marriage, Temple endowments, and blood atonement. He demonstrates that doctrines such as the plurality of Gods and secret sacred ordinances in dedicated temples were explicitly taught by Joseph Smith rather than invented later by Brigham Young. By tracking the eventual disaffection of early Reorganite founders like Jason W. Briggs—who ended up repudiating his own reported revelations—the author concludes that the Reorganized movement lacks internal consistency, divine calling, and valid priesthood succession, while the Utah church stands fully validated by historical fulfillment and spiritual fruit.

How It Unfolds

The gathering storm Public street preachings in Salt Lake City spark intense debate when visiting Reorganite ministers accuse the Utah church authorities of fraud and tyranny.

The trial of the exodus Historical records depict the severe trials of the Saints fleeing Illinois, contrasting the steadfast leadership of Brigham Young with early dissenters who abandoned the community during its most vulnerable moment.

The question of the keys The author analyzes revelations from the Doctrine and Covenants to establish that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holds equal authority to the First Presidency, inheriting full leadership when the president dies.

The temple completed Disputing claims of divine rejection, evidence shows the Nauvoo Temple was fully dedicated and utilized for sacred ordinances before the westward migration began.

The lineage exposed The claim of automatic father-to-son succession is thoroughly refuted through scriptural analysis of patriarchal blessings and historical testimony from early church council meetings.

Doctrinal vindication The treatise systematically defends foundational teachings on the plurality of Gods, temple endowments, and eternal progression, proving they originated directly with Joseph Smith.

The People

• Joseph Fielding Smith: The author and LDS apostle who rigorously defends the Utah church, systematically dissecting historical arguments with scriptural citations and archival evidence.
• Brigham Young: The target of Reorganite attacks, portrayed here as the rugged, inspired leader who carried the faithful into the wilderness and lawfully assumed presidency through the Quorum of the Twelve.
• Joseph Smith: The founding prophet of the movement, whose revelations, prophecies, and final instructions to the Twelve form the central evidence for priesthood succession.
• Jason W. Briggs: A prominent founder of the Reorganized movement who later withdrew from it, used by the author as an example of internal inconsistency and shifting beliefs.
• Hyrum Smith: Brother to the Prophet Joseph, whose patriarchal blessing is examined to clarify the distinct nature of spiritual birthrights versus church presidency.

In Its Own Voice

"If that fellow... should come to our town and abuse the ministers of our church, calling them murderers, thieves and liars, as he did Brigham Young and your churchmen, we would kick him off the streets."

An eastern visitor expresses shock at the vitriolic street sermons delivered by Reorganite missionaries targeting Utah leaders in 1906.

"There is no sense in the Reorganite 'defender,' being unreasonable, technical and peevish in this matter to win a point for a dilapidated cause."

The author forcefully rejects claims that minor uncompleted finishings on the Nauvoo Temple invalidated the spiritual authority of the entire church.

"The trouble with some of our 'Reorganized' brethren is that they look upon the members of the Church as a flock of sheep, that, like other property, can be inherited."

The text summarizes its core objection to hereditary succession, insisting that God raises up leaders based on divine fitness rather than bloodlines.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book is a study in institutional legitimacy and authority. It explores how a religious community maintains continuity when its founding charismatic figure dies without an explicit, universally accepted heir. The author addresses deep questions of church governance: Does authority descend through bloodline or through ordained quorums? Can external persecution void divine promises made to a collective body? By contrasting legalistic interpretations of scripture with the practical realities of pioneer survival, the text argues that divine authority is marked by spiritual fruits, order, and adherence to early revelations rather than hereditary claims or selective reading of history.

Why Read It Today

This volume offers a compelling, primary-source glimpse into the intense theological and historical rivalries that shaped early 20th-century American religion. Readers interested in Latter-day Saint history, institutional schisms, or formal religious polemics will find it a sharp, unyielding example of ecclesiastical defense.

The prose is straightforward, legalistic, and dense with scriptural cross-references, block quotes, and historical footnotes. It makes no attempt to charm the neutral reader; its tone is deliberate, assertive, and intellectually rigorous. While the heavy reliance on church governance, dead-end historical debates, and period-specific sectarian friction can make for demanding reading, it provides an authentic look at how theological boundaries were drawn and fiercely defended in the decades following the pioneer era.

<ElicitationsGroup message="Explore further into the historical contexts of early Latter-day Saint succession:"> <Elicitation label="Analyze the 1844 Succession Crisis in LDS history" query="Provide an objective historical overview of the 1844 Succession Crisis following the death of Joseph Smith, outlining the key claimants and outcomes."/> <Elicitation label="Compare LDS and RLDS (Community of Christ) theology" query="Compare the key theological and structural differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ."/> </ElicitationsGroup>