Joseph Fielding Smith
Origin of the 'Reorganized' Church and the Question of Succession
"Origin of the 'Reorganized' Church and the Question of Succession" by Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr. is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book addresses the issues surrounding the formation of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and the subsequent leadership under Brigham Young. It likely details the controversies, schisms, and theological conflicts within the Latter-day Saint movement during this turbulent period. The opening portion introduces the author’s perspective in response to the Reorganite ministers' aggressive missionary activities in Salt Lake City and Ogden from 1906 to 1907. The author recounts how these ministers, emboldened by individuals who had left the Church and local anti-"Mormon" sentiments, launched bitter attacks against Brigham Young and current Church leaders. This prompted a request from young Church members for a defense of their faith, leading the author to deliver discourses that ultimately became the chapters of this work, which aims to clarify the historical and doctrinal positions of the Church amidst rising opposition and misrepresentation from the Reorganites.