“I roll the bur[d]en and responsibility of leading this church off from my shoulders on to yours. Now, round up your shoulders and stand under it like men; for the Lord is going to let me rest a while.” — Joseph Smith¹

In the months leading up to his death, Joseph Smith expressed a sense of urgency to pass on the priesthood keys to the Twelve Apostles. He believed that his life was in danger and that if the keys were not conferred upon the Apostles, they would be lost. In solemn meetings, Joseph transferred the full priesthood authority, including the sealing power, to the Twelve.² He declared that the future leadership of the Church would rest on their shoulders. Counseling the Twelve, Joseph stated that if they faced death from their enemies, they should "die like men".¹ After conferring the keys, Joseph felt relieved and told the Apostles that he was “as light as a cork,” knowing that the Lord’s work would continue.¹

1. Appendix 3: Orson Hyde, Statement about Quorum of the Twelve, circa Late March 1845, josephsmithpapers.org

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 42, 519-520