In 1835, the Lord
gave the revelation on this matter that provides
for orderly succession. The revelation states that the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a body equal in authority
to the First Presidency. That means that when the
President of the Church dies, the First Presidency
is dissolved, and the Quorum of the
Twelve automatically become the presiding
body of the Church. That pattern was established
with the death of the Church's first President Joseph Smith. This divinely revealed procedure
for installing a new First Presidents of the Church,
revelation from the Lord, and sustaining by
the people has been followed to our present day. The First Presidency is to
be upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the Church.