Brigham Young Experiences Mantle Transfiguration - Voice of Joseph Smith
Published March 25, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith in June 1844, the Saints faced a crisis of leadership. Brigham Young and the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles grappled with the weight of responsibility. Then came a remarkable spiritual manifestation. As documented in Church history: 'When Brigham Young rose to speak on behalf of the Quorum of the Twelve, the Saints were overcome by a powerful spiritual experience. Many testified that they heard the voice of Joseph Smith and saw his countenance in Brigham Young. This spiritual confirmation, known as "the mantle of the Prophet falling on Brigham Young" or transfiguration, served to unite and comfort the Saints and confirmed that the Lord had chosen Young to lead the Church.' Multiple eyewitnesses reported that Young's voice, demeanor, and manner of speech seemed to change and resemble Joseph Smith. Some testified they actually saw Joseph's face in Young's countenance. This remarkable spiritual manifestation resolved the question of succession and unified the Church behind Young's leadership at a critical moment. The testimony of those who experienced this phenomenon became one of the most powerful confirmations of Young's divine appointment to lead the Church.
In Their Own Words
“I attended the funeral of the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith. I was also present at the meeting held in the grove at Nauvoo August 8, 1844, when Sidney Rigdon made the claim that it was his right to assume the leadership and presidency of the church. I remember the occasion well. Sidney Rigdon was speaking, and he was trying to persuade the people that he should be the guardian of the church. He spoke for some time, but there was no power in his speech. It did not reach the hearts of the people. When Brigham Young rose to speak, it was the first time I had heard him since he had returned from his mission. He stepped upon the stand, and he commenced to speak. I had sat in the meeting and had listened to the speakers, and I had felt a good deal of depression. I had felt that the people were in a very critical position. But the moment Brigham Young began to speak, his voice was the voice of Joseph Smith. I thought to myself, 'Is it I alone that am hearing this, or is it the others?' I looked around at the people, and I saw that they were all affected in the same way. It seemed to me that I was looking at Joseph Smith, and that it was his voice that I was hearing. It was a most wonderful experience. I have never forgotten it. It was a testimony to me that the Lord had chosen Brigham Young to lead the church. The change of voice and appearance I could not account for only that the mantle of Joseph had fallen on Brigham Young.”
— George Q. Cannon, as recorded in 'Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844'
Sources & References
Multiple eyewitness testimonies; BYU Studies, Opening the Heavens; Church historical records Full first-person account: Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844 (Second Edition), BYU Studies https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/opening-the-heavens/documents-of-testimonies-of-the-mantle-experience
Related Miracles
Similar miracle types and stories from the 1840s.
Miracle of the Week
One remarkable, documented account in your inbox every Monday, drawn from the full archive.