PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG LEADS THE SAINTS
Consider for a moment that you were living during the time of Joseph Smith and that you saw him lead the Church with authority, then one day, it is necessary for a new leader to be chosen, do you think Brigham would have been your first choice or someone else in the Twelve?
That's a question I hadn't considered. Frankly, (and a little bit embarrassed) I have to admit that I don't know who else were members of the Twelve at that time. Parley Pratt? Orson Pratt? John Taylor for sure, because he was there at Liberty Jail. I'd have to look that up to respond intelligently. Brigham was certainly a very strong personality, and learned directly from Joseph Smith (and perhaps along with him) many of the principles of the gospel restored during that period in history.