The Church of Jesus Christ traces our authority directly to Jesus Christ, the source of all truth. The LORD established His Church and—after centuries of church corruption and apostasy—He commanded an angel to restore His priesthood and everlasting gospel back to earth (see Rev 14:6-7). This took place when the angel of the Lord laid his hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15, 1829. This heavenly authority abides in Spirit and truth today upon the ministry called by Jesus Christ in His restored church: The Church of Jesus Christ.
Who could truly lead the Church after Joseph Smith, Jr.?
We certainly don’t see Joseph Smith, Jr. as perfect, but he did lead the Church until his death in 1844.
A vice president or vice chairman naturally succeeds any president or chairman of an organization at their death. Sidney Rigdon was the only active, surviving member of the Church Presidency at the death of Joseph Smith. Standard practice, accepted church revelation and church precedent from the time all verify Sidney Rigdon should have led after the death of Joseph Smith.
Sidney Rigdon did—in fact—lead the true succession of The Church of Jesus Christ after the death of Joseph Smith. That church continues today through the leadership of William Bickerton and the current ministry of The Church of Jesus Christ, international headquarters in Monongahela, Pennsylvania.
Interestingly, Sidney Rigdon was running as a Vice Presidential candidate alongside Joseph Smith. After failing to attract a secular, political candidate, the campaign turned to church leadership. Sidney Rigdon was the natural choice.
Additional Historical Information & Sources:
The Church Presidency led the restored Church of Jesus Christ from its establishment in Kirtland, Ohio until the present. Sidney Rigdon presided alongside Joseph Smith for over a decade. In those early years, the Church Presidency directed the entire church.
Joseph Smith Laid Hands on Sidney Rigdon to Preside Over Church
Sidney Rigdon had hands laid on him by Joseph Smith in 1834 to bestow, “…wisdom and knowledge to preside over the church in [my – Joseph Smith’s] absence.” (HC 2:51) In the absence of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon was officially appointed to preside over the church.
Q12 Subordinate to Church Presidency
While not true today in The Church of Jesus Christ, during Joseph Smith’s lifetime, the 12 Apostles were subordinate to the Church Presidency. An official statement from Joseph Smith in 1836 originally reads, “…the Twelve [apostles] are not subject to any other than the first Presidency, viz., myself…S[idney] Rigdon…” (Joseph Smith Papers, Minute Book 1, 2 May 1835, 187) No historical records dating to Joseph Smith’s lifetime suggest anything otherwise. Official church histories from other organizations have added to this statement from the original.
After the death of Joseph Smith, Apostle William Marks declared among the apostles, “I had always been taught that the first presidency would remain and always be with the church…and I cannot find any law to say that this quorum [the church presidency] should ever be dropped.” (Times & Seasons, vol 5, no.18, 664-665.)
Conclusion
Jesus Christ asserted his authority as Messiah to the disciples of John the Baptist by referencing the gifts and fruit of the Spirit of the Lord. He told them, “Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” (Luke 7:22) This authority is demonstrated today in The Church of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ certainly makes a case of perpetuation of the gospel restored on solid historical grounds. We wish the death of Joseph Smith did not result in debates, splintering or desire for power. Only one church today descends from a surviving member of the Church Presidency at the death of Joseph Smith, Jr. While this is significant to us and true historically, we humbly rely on the evidence and fruit of authority, demonstrated by the manifestations of the gifts and power of God.
In The Church of Jesus Christ the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised and the gospel is preached to the poor. For this gift and authority upon our priesthood, we praise the source of our redemption, authority and blessings, Jesus Christ Himself. AMEN For more information see: The Divine Continuity, A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ and Oliver Cowdery’s Letters No.1-all printed by the Church (see literature list included in this book).
