SECTION
139
President
Frederick Madison Smith died March 20, 1946, and was succeeded as
prophet, seer, and revelator by his brother, Elder Israel A. Smith.
The need to fill the quorum of the First Presidency was urgent, and
the newly ordained president gave this his immediate and prayerful
attention. The following revelation was presented to the quorums and
to the Conference by President Israel A. Smith early in the
Conference sessions. After it had been approved in the usual manner,
and those named had been ordained to their respective offices, the
work of the Conference proceeded under the direction of the newly
constituted Presidency.
To
the Quorums and to the General Conference; Beloved Brethren:
Realizing
our urgent need to receive light and instruction in order that the
quorums might be filled, I have wrestled in prayer to God in my
weakness, on behalf and in the interest of the church, sensing deeply
that it has been but a few hours ago when the burden of the church
was laid upon me, yet in confidence and faith that God will not fail
the church when called upon.
In
the early hours of yesterday and today I was blessed by the Spirit in
power and assurance such as I have never before experienced. The mind
of the Lord was manifested to me, and in the order named my brethren
have been presented to me, as follows, and accordingly I have
written:
1a.
“It is my will, saith the Spirit, that my servants of the Quorum of
Twelve, John F. Garver and F. Henry Edwards, be ordained and set
apart to be counselors to my servant, the president of the church,
and to be presidents in the Quorum of the First Presidency.
1b.
“They are my chosen vessels and are qualified by experience. Their
apostleship is extended in presidency and if they will go forward in
loving service, their ministry will be very effective.
2a.
“To fill one of the vacancies in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, I
have presented to my servant the name of D. Blair Jensen of the High
Priests Quorum, who is called and chosen to this office, and should
be ordained and set apart as a special witness in the Quorum of
Twelve.”
2b. My
heart has been made to rejoice, as I feared that through my weakness
and inexperience, the work of the church might suffer loss. I present
this word to you soon after its reception, and, as I write, it is
confirmed again unto me.
2c.
May God bless you in your deliberations; and if the quorums and the
body shall have this message confirmed unto them, I shall rejoice,
and I have faith that the church thereby will be blessed.
Your
servant in Christ,
Israel
A. Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
9, 1946
