| 747 After this, at many times, and by many different ones, through tongues and prophecy, young Joseph was pointed out as the successor to his father to lead God's people. There was considerable talk of informing J. Smith concerning this move, but cannot say how soon this talk began; but within two years from the withdrawal from Strang there was a message given to the saints there (then at Blanchardville) through the gift of the Spirit to be delivered to Joseph Smith by E. C. Briggs and S. H. Gurley. This I have from the lips of E. C. Briggs, and that E. C. B. should not return to that place till after Joseph Smith would come and take the leadership of the church. To this command E. C. B. was faithful."
This movement resulted in the Yellowstone branch uniting with others in calling the conference in which Strang and others were renounced, and in the final forming of the Reorganization as related in this volume. The part acted by Elder Z. H. Gurley in these important matters is quite fully set out elsewhere in these pages. On April 8. 1853, he was ordained an apostle at Zarahemla, Wisconsin, by J. W. Briggs, H. H. Deam, and Reuben Newkirk. In this position he acted until the time of his death. In the Annual Conference of 1860, he was presiding when President Joseph Smith was received, and assisted in his ordination.
He died at the residence of Jesse L. Adams, near Joy Station, Mercer County, Illinois, on August 28, 1871, of paralysis. He preached his last discourse at the residence of Mrs. Philo Howard, near Batavia, Illinois, the winter previous. Mr. Austin Howard, of Lamoni, Iowa, relates that he heard this discourse, and that while preaching he paused and said: "Brethren and sisters, my preaching is about done." Then he resumed his discourse and finished it. The next day he was taken sick and never recovered. His remains were buried at Buffalo Prairie, Illinois, but the following January they were exhumed and taken by his son E. H. Gurley to the Dickson cemetery, near Sandwich, Illinois, where they were again interred. His wife survived him for many years, dying at Lamoni, Iowa, in November, 1896. Her remains were taken to Illinois and buried by his side.
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