In his capacity as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Brigham Young possesses and wields despotic power over "this people," and rules them by his single will, in all their affairs, both spiritual and temporal.
This is owing, not to any peculiarity in the church organization. Any organization which should recognize him as the absolute head of the church, and dispense with every system of checks and balances, would answer the same purpose. Once admit the necessity of a spiritual head, and fail to require from him any responsibility, and all that remains is, to establish a grade of agents and mediums for the transmission of his will and wishes to the masses, and the system is complete.
Such a grade is fully established under the Mormon system.
First,—The First Presidency. This consists of three, chosen from those who hold the high-priesthood and apostleship, and its office is to preside over and direct the affairs of the whole church. It consists of a President and two Counsellors. The President is also Seer, Revelator, Translator, and Prophet. He rules in all spiritual and temporal affairs.
Secondly,—The Apostles. These are to build up, organize, and preside over churches, administer the ordinances, etc.
Thirdly,—The Seventies. The Quorums of the Seventies are to travel in all the world, preach the gospel, and administer its ordinances and blessings. There is, also, the Patriarch, whose duty is to bless the fatherless, to prophesy what shall befall them, etc.
Fourthly,—High-Priests and Elders. The High-Priest is to administer the ordinances, and preside over the Stakes of the church; that is, over the churches established abroad.
The Elders are to preach and to baptize; to ordain other Elders, also Priests, Teachers, and Deacons. All the foregoing officers are of the Melchisedec Priesthood.
Fifthly,—The Aaronic Priesthood, which includes the offices of Bishop, Priest, Teacher, and Deacon.
The Bishop presides over all the lesser offices of the Aaronic Priesthood, ministers in outward ordinances, conducts the temporal business of the church, and sits in judgment on transgressors.