The following is taken from a religion lesson manual entitled, "Church History in the Fullness of Times" (published in 1993, p. 291). "Benjamin F. Johnson (1818-1905) was a close friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
He served for a time as the Prophet's private secretary. He was one of the original pioneers who entered the Salt Lake Valley on the 22nd of October, 1848. He later served as a Patriarch.
"Thursday, 8th of August, 1844, stands as one of the most important days in the history of the Restoration. On that day a miracle occurred before the body of the Church. Brigham Young was magnified before the people, and the succession crisis of the Church was resolved.
"A prayer meeting was held that morning at ten o'clock in the grove, according to the arrangements of William Marks. Sydney Rigdon spake for an hour and a half about his desires to be the guardian of the Church, but he awakened no emotion and said nothing that marked him as the true leader.
"Brigham Young, who arrived after the meeting started, also spoke; his remarks were short. He told the audience that he would have rather have spent a month mourning the dead Prophet than so quickly attend to the business of appointing a new shepherd.
"While he was speaking, he was miraculously transfigured before the people. People of all ages were present, and they later recorded their experiences.
"Benjamin F. Johnson, twenty-six at that time, remembered, 'as soon as [Brigham Young] spoke I jumped upon my feet, for in every possible degree it was Joseph's voice, and his person, in look, attitude, dress and appearance was Joseph himself, personified; and I knew in a moment the spirit and mantle of Joseph was upon him.'"