| 292 Patriarch, many sought, out of the chaos of confusion that ensued, to erect fabrics of spiritual and temporal power, relying on the shrewd acumen of men skillful to deceive, aided by the fears of a desolate people, a flock without a shepherd, and the sure assistance of the prince and power of evil, who, delighted at the fall of just men, took advantage of the breach, fired their minds with visions of power and opportunity to work out the convenient measures of their own sordid passions.
"In almost every one of these fragmentary dispensations, the commencement was marked by an attempt to steer for a time by the old landmarks, yet each failed in each attempt; for, finding that the 'law and the testimony' came in conflict with their projects of power and convenient sin, they cast them aside as garments for the church in its infancy, and claimed other laws, more suited to their ends than those pure principles of the gospel upon which the church was founded.
"Almost every one of them, too, knowing the true order of the law, claimed respectability, sanction, guardianship, regency, or a holding of the rule subject to, and looking for, a coming forth of one of the true descent, to take a place in authority. Claims were made, in almost every instance, that sooner or later, one of Joseph's sons would come forth and unite his destiny with that particular faction.
"Some acted, as they declared, with my knowledge and sanction; some took upon themselves by right a guardianship over my spiritual welfare, and dared to say with my approval; and still another, more bold but scarcely less honest, claimed to receive letters from me, saying that my mother's influence kept me from their midst-that I was with them in faith, etc.
"Now, be it known, that up to the spring of 1860, no faction of the church, no claimant to the honors of leadership, no party or sect ever received indorsement [endorsement], sanction, or authority from me. I never selected a spiritual guardian, or appointed an agent, nor recognized any regency or guardianship whatever; and that, at that time, I only acted as I was impelled; that I acted by dictation, and that of no man;
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