The Lord further declared through his prophet Jeremiah, "I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn;" 31. 9.
By virtue of this adoption of Ephraim, as the head of the house of Israel, and Joseph Smith, Sen., being the oldest son of Ephraim, holding the Priesthood in this dispensation, he is Patriarch of the whole church, by right. This right should be perpetuated in his family, as the oldest branch of the tribe of Ephraim.
If, from any cause, there should be failure of a son to exercise this right, then the office would be filled from the next eldest branch of the family.
This has been the case in the short history of the church. When Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, the latter had no son old enough to fill the office of patriarch, and John, his eldest living brother, was ordained to the office vacated by his death.
After the death of father John Smith, the office reverted back to the family of Hyrum Smith, for his oldest son John had grown to manhood, and was ordained Patriarch of the whole church.
Bible.
Gen. 8. 21, 22 God covenanted with Noah, that he would not again destroy all flesh.
9. 1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said, be fruitful and multiply.
24-27 Noah cursed Canaan, and blessed Shem and Japhet.
12. 1-3 the Lord promised Abraham that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed. 26. 4.