At a meeting held at Nauvoo, August 7, 1844, he said:
"How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, 'I have laid the
foundation and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the
kingdom rests. * * * * I tell you in the name of the Lord, that
no man can put another between the Twelve and the Prophet Joseph
Smith. Why? Because Joseph was their file leader, and he has
committed into their hands the keys of the kingdom in this last
dispensation for all the world; don't put a thread between the
Priesthood of God."--(History of the Church for August 7, 1844).
And in a letter written to Orson Spencer, January 23, 1848, President
Young said:
"Joseph told the Twelve the year before he died, 'There is not one
key or power to be bestowed on this Church to lead the people into
the celestial gate but I have give you, showed you, and talked
it over to you, the kingdom is set up, and you have the perfect
pattern, and you can go and build up the kingdom and go in at the
celestial gate, taking your train with you."--Mill. Star, 10:115.