That the Prophet did not choose his son is quite evident also from the following testimony given by reliable witnesses and at the proper time:
TESTIMONY OF PRESIDENT YOUNG.
At a meeting held at Nauvoo, August 7, 1844, he said:
"How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, 'I have laid the foundation and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests. * * * * I tell you in the name of the Lord, that no man can put another between the Twelve and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Why? Because Joseph was their file leader, and he has committed into their hands the keys of the kingdom in this last dispensation for all the world; don't put a thread between the Priesthood of God."—(History of the Church for August 7, 1844).
And in a letter written to Orson Spencer, January 23, 1848, President Young said:
"Joseph told the Twelve the year before he died, 'There is not one key or power to be bestowed on this Church to lead the people into the celestial gate but I have give you, showed you, and talked it over to you, the kingdom is set up, and you have the perfect pattern, and you can go and build up the kingdom and go in at the celestial gate, taking your train with you."—Mill. Star, 10:115.
TESTIMONY OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"Brother Joseph has passed behind the veil, and he pulled off his shoes, and some one else puts them on, until he passes the veil to Brother Joseph. President Young is our president, and our head, and he puts the shoes on first. If Brother Hyrum had remained here, he would have put them on. Hyrum has gone with Joseph and is still his counselor. The Twelve have received the keys of the kingdom, and as long as there is one of them left, he will hold them in preference to any one else."—Times and Seasons, 5: 664.
TESTIMONY OF ORSON HYDE.
"The shafts of the enemy are always aimed at the head first. Brother Joseph said some time before he was murdered, 'If I am taken away, upon you, the Twelve, will rest the responsibility of leading this people, and do not be bluffed off by any man."—Times and Seasons, 5: 650.
"Before I went east on the 4th of April last, we were in council with Brother Joseph almost every day for weeks, said Brother Joseph in one of those councils, 'There is something going to happen; I don't know what it is, but the Lord bids me to hasten and give you your endowment before the Temple is finished.' He conducted us through every ordinance of the Holy Priesthood, and when he had gone through with all the ordinances, he rejoiced very much, and said, 'Now, if they kill me, you have got all the keys, and all the ordinances and you can confer them upon others, and the hosts of Satan will not be able to tear down the kingdom, as fast as you will be able to build it up;' and now, said he, 'on your shoulders will the responsibility of leading this people rest, for the Lord is going to let me rest awhile.'"—Times and Seasons, 5: 651.