At the eighty-seventh birthday anniversary celebration of Elder
Benjamin F. Johnson, held at Mesa, Arizona, July 29, 1905, that
Patriarch said:
"I speak of things of which I know I was the business partner of
Joseph Smith, from my mission until the time of his martyrdom, was
as familiar with him as with my brother or my father.
"Do I know that Brigham Young was the true successor of Joseph
Smith? I knew it before the Prophet was martyred, for Joseph had
made it known. I was present when the Prophet gave his charge to
the Twelve Apostles, when in council, after solemn prayer, he rose
up with the light of heaven shining in his countenance, related
his experiences with reference to the beginning of this work, the
responsibilities placed upon him, the persecutions and hardships
through which he had passed. He declared that God had revealed all
the truth necessary to save mankind, had given unto him the keys
of the kingdom, and he had carried the weight and load thus far,
and then, speaking directly to the Twelve, he said: 'I now roll off
the burden of this responsibility upon you; I give unto you all the
keys and powers bestowed upon me, and I say unto you, that unless
you round up your shoulders and bear off this kingdom you will be
damned."