Lesson 148—Succession in the Presidency: Chosen by the Lord to Lead the Church
“Lesson 148—Succession in the Presidency: Chosen by the Lord to Lead the Church,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)
“Succession in the Presidency,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Lesson 148: Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
Succession in the Presidency
Chosen by the Lord to Lead the Church
Members of the Church in Joseph Smith’s time had never experienced the death of a prophet. Not only was the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum an emotionally challenging time but one of potential confusion and uncertainty of who would lead the Church. The Lord, however, had prepared a way for His Church to continue under prophetic leadership. This lesson is intended to help students increase their confidence that the Lord continues to direct His work even when a prophet dies.
Possible Learning Activities
A new Church leader
Imagine you have a friend named Gabriel who recently joined the Church with his family. After leaving seminary one day, he asks you some questions about Church leadership. He is wondering what happens when the President of the Church dies and how a new prophet is chosen. He even wonders how we can be sure the right person is the prophet.
On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being low and 5 being high, how confident do you feel about your ability to respond to Gabriel’s question?
Why do you think it would be important to understand how leadership changes work in the Church?
Who would take Joseph Smith’s place?
At the time of Joseph Smith’s martyrdom, members of the Church had never experienced the death of a prophet. In addition to the immense grief at Joseph’s death, some were unsure how the Church would move forward. Most of the Apostles were in the eastern United States serving missions when they heard about the death of Joseph and Hyrum. Upon learning the sad news, they and other missionaries began traveling back to Nauvoo.
In the absence of the President of the Church, a few people put forth differing claims about what should happen with Church leadership.
The First Counselor in the First Presidency said he was told in a vision that no one could succeed Joseph. He proposed that he should be the “guardian” of the Church.
The President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that Joseph Smith conferred the Savior’s authority to lead the Church on the Quorum of the Twelve.
A member who had been baptized four months before Joseph’s death presented a letter with Joseph Smith’s signature that designated him as Joseph’s successor.
How do you think you would have reacted to these events if you had been a member of the Church during this time?
What concerns might you have had about any of the claims?
A pattern established by the Lord
Invite students to share what they learned from their study. Be sure that students understand that when the President of the Church dies, the First Presidency is dissolved and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles leads the Church. Help students understand that Apostles serving in the First Presidency return to their place of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve. Ensure that students also understand that the Apostle who has been serving the longest is the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and, consequently, becomes the next President of the Church.
Students could also identify that through the Holy Ghost, we can receive a witness that those who lead the Church have been called of God.
What might we do, or what have you done, to gain a spiritual witness that our prophet was chosen by the Lord to lead His Church?
To conclude, consider allowing students to use what they have learned to respond to the scenario from the beginning of the lesson. One way to do this would be to have students role-play with partners. As part of their response, you could encourage students to include their own witness that the prophet is the Lord’s chosen leader.