I went to Nauvoo, mixed in Strangism, and after investigating the matter
about a week, I came out in public lectures in favor of the new prophet, and
while advocating his claims as the appointed successor of Joseph the martyred
prophet of God; the question was often raised, how could Mr. Strang receive a
Dispensation of the Priesthood, from Heaven, when the Priesthood was held by
thousands on the earth, as revealed through Joseph, by the administration of Angels.
My reply invariable was, that the charge which he received from the Angel
on the day of Joseph’s death, I considered a revelation to him, and a confirmation
of his appointment to the prophetic office, and that his ordination as
President of the Melchisedek Priesthood grew out of the powers of the same;
although Mr. Strang contends that this ordination would have to come through
the administration of an Angel, and that he could not be ordained in any other
way, but would have to be ordained as Joseph was. This I considered a
mistake. God revealed through Joseph the Priesthood which is to remain on the
earth “until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy
prophets since the world began,” and that he could not receive a Dispensation
of the Priesthood, for this would bring in a new Dispensation and destroy Joseph’s
Priesthood, and the foundation which he laid of the Everlasting Kingdom. (Reuben
Miller, James
J. Strang, Weighed in the Balance of Truth, and Found Wanting. His Claims as
First President of the Melchisedek Priesthood Refuted [Burlington:
1846], 1-2, emphasis in bold added. The entire tract
should be read for the overwhelming scriptural and theological problems vis-à-vis
Strang’s claims to being Joseph’s successor)