After Joseph Smith

The Mormon Church had a question of leadership in the aftermath of the deaths of Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844.  From Annals of the West: embracing a concise account...:

"The funeral pageant next absorbed all their attention. The mourning was sore, sad and deep, over the beloved patriarch Hyrum, and the adored prophet Joseph [Smith]."

A statue depicting the last ride of Joseph Smith & Hyrum Smith

"The struggle for the leadership, the Seer succession, which followed, however, soon dissipated the sorrow for the past.  Rigdon, as second in rank, claimed promotion.. .  James J. Strang contended for the place of Seer... . But the College of the Twelve had other views, and a vote on the subject."

"It revoked all former designations, and devolved the choice upon them. Under the management of their sagacious chief, they elected the Peter of the Apostles, Brigham Young, to the responsible station."