Page "History of the Latter Day Saint movement" Paragraph 46

In a general meeting of the church at Nauvoo on August 8, 1844, Rigdon and Young presented their respective cases.

As the only surviving member of the First Presidency ( who had not officially apostatized ), Rigdon argued that he should be made " guardian " of the church.

Young argued that without Smith there, there was no presiding authority higher than the Twelve.

Therefore, he proposed that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles be constituted as the new presiding authority.

A vote of the congregation overwhelmingly supported Young's proposal, said to have been caused by Brigham briefly yet miraculously having the " voice and countenance of Joseph Smith " during his talk.

Soon after, Rigdon left Nauvoo and established his own church organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.