Letter from L. D. Hickey, circa 9 December 1890
Recd
[end of sideways text]
Recd Dec 9, 1890
Wilford Woodruff
Dear Sir
I have just read your speech
as repeated by our papers in connection with the
Cannons in you both claim to hold Priesthood
look back on the history of your life I never doubt-
ed but the Angel confered Priesthood on Joseph & God
called men to his aid, & Joseph ordained them to
fill the different offices in the Church. All this was
done in his life-time, & Gods ord[a]ined & He [sent] the
the different quorms, & individuals, so long as ^they^
stood in their office & calling. But when Joseph was
with us—if any of these men—departed from the Lord
& like Dathan, of old wanted to ride when, & where they
had no legal call, & ordination Joseph put his foot-
down & if they did not repent—they were suspended,
Yet all this was not done merely ^by^ Joseph, But God told
him what to in all those usurpations.
Such was the rule, & discipline of the 1st Pres & '12'
also. But what at the death of Joseph. How did
things go then. Who, When, & Where was the
Man that Joseph pointed out to stand in his
place. God told the Church years before
the death of Joseph that if he was taken by God,
would plant Another, Not others, to stand
in Josephs, place, yet this Man would not
be appointed until Joseph was taken—See D & C
Again, It was to be done through Joseph—
