| 30 "Not until 1850 did he begin to proclaim the right of 'young Joseph' to be the President of the Church," etc.- Ibid. p. 65.
The error of Mr. Roberts is shown by the Millennial Star, a periodical issued by the people whom Mr. Roberts represents. On pages 134 and 135 of volume 7 is a letter written by one James Kay, from St. Louis, Missouri, November 22, 1845, from which we extract the following:-
"Doubtless you will have heard of William Smith's apostasy. He is endeavoring to 'make a raise' in this city. After he left Nauvoo he went to Galena, when he published a 'proclamation' to the church, calling upon them to renounce the Twelve as an unauthorized, tyrannical, abominable, bloodthirsty set of scoundrels. I suppose you have his pamphlet. I did think to send one the day he landed here, but felt inclined to hear and see his course a little while. Reports were daily coming from east to west of William's unmanly conduct; sorry I was to hear them, they seemed so well authenticated. He contends the church is disorganized, having no head; that the Twelve are not, nor ever were, ordained to be head of the church; that Joseph's priesthood was to be conferred on his posterity to all future generations, and that young Joseph is the only legal successor to the presidency of this church, etc. G. J. Adams is William's right hand man, and comes out as little Joseph's spokesman. They intend holding a conference here this week and organizing the church on the old original plan, according to the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Mormon, and New Testament. Discussions are to take place between the Rigdonites and Josephites on the claims of each to the 'Mormon throne.' Two high priests have been disfellowshiped, one seventy, and a number of other officers and members from this branch I suppose will join the Smith party."-Millennial Star, vol. 7, p. 134.
This is conclusive proof that lineal priesthood was preached by William Smith as early as November, 1845, and before. Prior to this William Smith did not espouse the cause of J. J. Strang, as a brief sketch of his history will show. He was in the East at the time of the murder of his
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