Deuteronomy 34 - Joshua 5

Before Moses had left the people he had given priesthood authority to Joshua to lead the children of Israel -

"...for Moses had laid his hands upon him..." (Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:9)

And with that authority, Joshua became their Prophet and leaders -

"...And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom...and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses..." (Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:9)

Joshua had been called as the successor of Moses, but it should be noted that the writer comments -

"...there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face..." (Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:10)

This is very much the same in modern day as Brigham Young was called to succeed Prophet after his martyred where the write comments -

"...Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 135:3)

The burden must have been overwhelming for both Brigham Young and Joshua as they succeeded such great men. But Presiden Thomas S. Monson taught -

“Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”

We see this as -

"...the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise..." (Old Testament Joshua 1:1 - 2)

"...There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee..." (Old Testament Joshua 1:5)

But with that the Lord admonishes -

"...be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest..." (Old Testament Joshua 1:7)

Joshua is commanded to continue in valiant teaching such that -

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth..." (Old Testament Joshua 1:8)

And to continue in daily scripture study saying -

"...thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Old Testament Joshua 1:8)

And as he does so, the Lord promises -

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Old Testament Joshua 1:9)

What a wonderful promise the Lord gives which I believe applies to any saint who succeeds another in a calling.

And with the profound sustaining vote, the children of Israel promise their new leader -

"All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses." (Old Testament Joshua 1:16 - 17)

And as promised, the Lord was with Joshua and said to him -

"This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee." (Old Testament Joshua 3:7)

We see evidence of this promise fulfilled where Joshua was commanded to lead the people and -

"...as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan..." (Old Testament Joshua 3:15 - 17)

And as a result -

"On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life." (Old Testament Joshua 4:14)