Where Did All The Splits/Groups Come From?

This is a question that I was asked recently, to which I gave a general answer based on principle.  The reason is because this is a very emotionally, and politically charged question.

I am not a person to constantly and consistently post references to support my conclusions or opinions.  I feel that if a person doesn’t have at least a basic working knowledge of the scriptures, then there is no reason to attempt to converse with someone who obviously has no interest in what I have to say, except to fight against it.  With that said, all those who have a working knowledge of the scriptures and Church History, will easily be able to follow this post with understanding.  Some of these things happened simultaneously, but for ease they are broken into parts.   So, here we go: 

Through the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr., the Lord eventually set up a quorum of 12 Apostles.  Of course He did set up 2 quorums, but I will leave that out for the present.  Now, this quorum was called and ordained by four people who had a Fullness of the Priesthood.  This Fullness was not bestowed upon the quorum of the Twelve by reason of ordination to the Apostleship, because it can only be bestowed by God Himself.  But the Apostleship was bestowed upon these men, along with all the relevant keys to open the Gospel in all the world (among the Gentiles).  As is true with any of us, these 12 did not have the Fullness of the Priesthood until they obtained it from God in person, as they were instructed in the commission given to them when they were first ordained. 

Once set apart, they were set in order.  The order the Lord revealed was according to the Ancient Order which was according to age, not ordination. 

After the “Saints” delivered up Joseph and Hyrum to those who would murder them, the several different, independent and interdependent churches and organizations which the Lord through Joseph set up were scattered.  Most all of them claimed some sort of authority to the right of succession, but the Lord only set up one right of succession, and most all of the groups went through great lengths to hide it. 

Brigham Young was one of those who went through great pains to make his claim of succession.  Over the course of three years he formed a coup d’etat, and systematically removed anyone, that he could, from the Traveling Twelve that opposed the idea of the Traveling Twelve becoming the ruling body of the church.  

After Brigham got the remainder of the Traveling Twelve on board, he won over approximately a fifth of the members, which consisted of a great deal of the Seventy (which organization has gone through several significant changes and revisions).  The Seventy Apostles were a significant missionary force, and would cause the small splinter group to flourish like the rose. 

Since the majority of the twelve, and the majority of the records of the Church would be left behind, Brigham’s next move was a bold one.  He now petitioned the Twelve to create a First Presidency, under which auspicious he would attempt to unite the several different organizations that Joseph set up, and rule them all from one seat, usurping the calling of Joseph.  This was in so much opposition to the Oracles of God that some very significant historical figures would not agree (those who were with Joseph and Hyrum at the end), which would cause a split decision among the newly reorganized Quorum of Twelve.  The problem was that in the oracles of God, Brigham did not hold the highest priesthood.  Mainly because those who, under the direction from God, called and ordained the Twelve were still alive.  To resolve this, the newly reorganized Twelve would vote and send these men on missions, then while they were away, new apostles were called who would sustain the formation of a new First Presidency.  Now, by bare majority, the resolution was passed and Brigham sat on a throne. 

With the new order, a new governing principle had to be established, and that principle was based on previous principles, but now had to be revised, and in my opinion this is where it became a stand alone principle.  It was this: That the keys of the priesthood leadership were no longer to be obtained from God, but were to be automatically assumed by the worthy senior by ordination, along with the priestcraft principle that, only he holds the keys.  This is the foundation of the majority of the Splits/Groups/Churches. 

It is quite obvious that the worthy senior has only the leadership of the quorum that he represents, and only the authority which that body grants unto him.  Therefore, the idea that, because of this, he now holds the keys of Joseph, or of anyone else that holds the Priesthood of the Fathers, is a blatant lie.  You cannot hold the Fullness of the Priesthood of God, just because enough men get together and say you do. 

The term “worthy” is the justification that a great many of the groups use to qualify their priesthood lineage, and by which they validate their claims. 

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