| |
|
|
| Born |
|
February 19, 1793 in Saint
Clair township, Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania, the third of four children. |
|
Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Died |
|
July 14, 1876 in Friendship,
Allegheny County, New York |
|
|
| Father |
|
William Rigdon (1748–1810) |
|
Sidney Rigdon (h)
Sidney Rigdon Genealogy |
| Mother |
|
Nancy Gallagher (1759–1839) |
|
| Occupations |
|
Farmer, preacher, tanner |
|
|
| Father's death |
|
May 26, 1810 father dies. |
|
Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Regular Baptist |
|
[1817] joins the Regular Baptists, under Rev. David Phillips,
a clergyman from Wales. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Leaves home |
|
[1818] leaves the farm, lives with Rev. Andrew
Clark, Regular Baptist. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Preacher's license |
|
March 1819 licensed to preach as a Regular Baptist. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Warren, Ohio |
|
May 1819 moves to Warren, Ohio. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Adamson Bentley |
|
July moves in with Rev.
Adamson Bentley. |
|
|
| Preaches in Warren |
|
April 1, 1820 preaches in Warren church's monthly
meeting as a licensed minster. |
|
Early Sidney, 46, citing Church Record,
Warren Central Christian Church, Disciples of Christ Historical Society,
Nashville. |
| Marries |
|
June 12, 1820 marries Phebe Brooks, daughter of the Baptist minister
Rev. Jeremiah Brooks and Dorcas Smith of Warren. Phebe's sister is married
to Rev. Adamson Bentley. |
|
Sidney Rigdon, 17. |
| Ordained |
|
August 24–26, 1820 Sidney's ordination announced at
meeting of the Beaver Baptist Association. As planned in 1819, the association
divides into three: Beaver (Pennsylvania), Mahoning (Trumbull, Portage,
Mahoning, and part of Columbiana counties in northeast Ohio), and Mohican
(east central Ohio along the Tuscarawas River). |
|
Early Sidney, 47–48, quoting
Beaver Baptist Association Minutes (1819), 6. |
| Mahoning Association founded |
|
August 30, 1820 Mahoning Baptist Association organizes in
Salem, Columbiana County. |
|
Early Sidney, 48, citing Beaver
Baptist Association Minutes (1819), 6. |
| Pittsburgh church |
|
January 5, 1822 leaves Warren to lead the First Baptist
Church of Pittsburgh in the more conservative
Redstone Baptist Associationon. The post had been offered him on Alexander
Campbell's recommendation. |
|
Early Sidney, 50; ¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Heresy charge |
|
July 11, 1823 accused of heresy by a church faction. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Resigns |
|
August 1824 resigns from Pittsburgh post. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Tanner |
|
Becomes a tanner, working for his brother-in-law. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Ohio |
|
December 1825 Sidney, Phebe, and their four children move to land
owned by Phebe's father in Bainbridge, Ohio. |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Sidney's doctrine |
|
Preaches "the doctrines of repentance, and baptism for remission of sins,
and the gift of the Holy Ghost, according to the teachings of Peter,
on the day of Pentecost." |
|
¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) |
| Funeral sermon |
|
June 1826 preaches funeral sermon of reformed Baptist minister in Mentor. |
|
Hayden history, 191. |
| Mentor church |
|
Fall 1826 called as pastor of the Mentor church. |
|
Hayden history, 191. |
| Orator |
|
Sidney Rigdon was an orator of no inconsiderable
abilities. In person, he was full medium height, rotund in form; of countenance,
while speaking, open and winning, with a cast of melancholy. His action
was graceful, his language copious, fluent in utterance, with articulation
clear and musical. Yet he was an enthusiast, and unstable. His personal
influence with an audience was very great, but many, with talents far inferior,
surpassed him in judgment and permanent power with the people. He was just
the man for an awakening. |
|
Hayden history,
191–192. |
| Regular Baptist Mahoning Association |
|
1826 addresses the Regular Baptist Mahoning Association at annual meeting
held in Canfield. Other speakers include Alexander and Thomas Campbell,
Walter Scott. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 41. |
| Mantua church |
|
January 27, 1827 organizes a church in Mantua
Center with nine members: John Rudolph, John Rudolph, Jr.,
Zeb Rudolph, James Rudolph, Darwin Atwater, Laura Atwater, Cleona Rudolph,
Elizabeth Rudolph and Patta Blair. Eighteen are added the first year
"including Seth Sanford, Seth Harmon, Lyman Hunt and Mrs. Judge Atwater.
Sidney Rigdon was their stated, though not constant, minister." |
|
Buckeye disciples, 23; Hayden history, 237–238. |
| Regular Baptist Mahoning Association |
|
1827 attends annual Mahoning Association in New Lisbon. Though
not a member of of the council, he and others seated are seated with council
representing sixteen congregations, including Stoneites. Walter Scott named
evangelist for the association. Mantua–Hiram
congregation reports 9 new members for the year, bringing total to 26.
Association totals 492 in 16 congregations. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 42–43, 44, 45. |
| Baptismal formulary |
|
Baptismal formula used by Walter Scott
is,
"For the remission of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, I
immerse you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit!"
Regular Baptists object this constitutes salvation by baptism rather than
by faith. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 46–47. |
| Walter Scott |
|
1828 Walter Scott converts Universalist minister Aylett Raines. The two
proselyte together successfully. Alexander Campbell endorses Raines by
distinguishing between matters of faith and matters of opinion. Raines'
restorationist "opinions"
are tolerated. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 50–51. |
| Sidney endorses Walter |
|
1828 the Mahoning Baptist Association debates the question of what area
Scott is authorized to preach in. "Rigdon, who had taken no part in this
discussion, becoming weary of it, said: 'You are consuming too much time
on this question. One of the old Jerusalem preachers would start out with
his hunting shirt and moccasins, and convert half the world while you are
discussing and settling plans!' Then Rigdon [said], 'I move that we give
Bro. Scott hisBible, his Head, and Bro. William Hayden.' It was settled
in a few moments, as Rigdon's resolution was seconded and passed unanimously." |
|
Hayden history, 174. |
| 1,000 baptisms |
|
1828–1829 one thousand are baptized into Mahoning Association churches
during Walter Scott's first year. Congregations averaged one baptism per
year in the three previous years. Scott required obedience to gospel for
baptism rather an experience of salvation. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 53. |
| Five-finger exercise |
|
Scott often begins by playing games with children, then teaching them
his five-finger exercise: "Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Remission of
Sins, Gift of the Holy Spirit." |
|
Buckeye disciples, 53–54. |
| Grand River Bible Society |
|
January 8, 1828 as a member of the Grand River Bible Society
meeting in Painesville, he is named to the committee to ascertain the number
of families that have "Bible and Testaments" and the number of destitute
families |
|
PT Jan. 11, 1828. |
| Mantua church divides |
|
April 18, 1829 the Mantua
Center
church divides. Symonds Ryder is ordained "first
overseer" of
the new Hiram–Nelson congregation,
consisting of thirty-seven members. Another group is at Garrettsville. |
|
Hayden history, 249; Buckeye disciples, 24.
Later the members in Nelson withdraw to form their own congregation in Garrettsville. |
| Thomas Campbell |
|
May 1828 Thomas Campbell visits to "set in order the
things that were wanting." Zeb Rudolph and Darwin Atwater are "chosen
by the church, and set apart as 'teachers.'" On May 24, Zeb Rudolph
and Darwin Atwater are "appointed deacons." Symonds
Ryder is converted by Campbell's sermon and is baptized by Reuben Ferguson. |
|
Hayden history, 238. |
| Beaver Association anathema |
|
August 1829 four Mahoning churches (Youngstown, Salem, Palmyra,
Valley of Achor), opposed to reforms, apply for membership
in the Beaver Baptist Association. The association's finding, later known
as the Beaver Anathema, declares that congregations of the Mahoning Association: |
|
|
| Baptism controversy |
|
contend there is no promise of salvation without baptism—that it
should be administered to all that say they believe that Jesus Christ is
the Son of God without examination on any other point—that there is
no direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the mind prior to baptism—that
baptism procures the remissions of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost—that
the scriptures are the only evidence of interest in Christ—that no
creed is necessary for the church but the scriptures as they stand—and
that all baptized persons have a right to administer the ordinance. |
|
Source |
| Sidney and Orson Hyde |
|
Fall 1829 Sidney and protege Orson Hyde
undertake a mission west and establish churches in Elyria,
Lorain County and Florence, Huron
County. |
|
¶ Orson
Hyde (h) |
Drops Baptist affiliation
Alexander Campbell publications |
|
August 27–29, 1830 Mahoning Baptist Association holds its annual
meeting in Austintown, where a reformed congregation
had recently organized. The association disbands as a Baptist organization,
though at Alexander Campbell's urging they agree to hold annual meetings. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 57–59. |
| Sidney proposes common property |
|
At the 1830 meeting, Sidney Rigdon proposes system of common
property based on New Testament practice. Campbell puts down the idea by
insisting the New Testament practice was a special circumstance and that
it was discontinued with the matter of Ananias and Sapphira. |
|
Buckeye disciples,
60–61; Hayden history, 298–300.
Peter catches Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, withholding part of the proceeds
of the sale of their land. He rebukes them and they fall dead. Acts 5:1–10. |
| Cousins also reformed preachers |
|
As well as being the brother-in-law of Adamson Bentley,
three of Sidney's cousins, Thomas, John, and Charles Rigdon, are "reformation"
preachers. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 79. |
| Sidney the orator |
¶ |
Rigdon has been described as a winning speaker, one who
used copious language, fluent, eloquent, enthsiastic, and of great personal
influence. He was considered the orator of the Mahoning Association, and
declared by many to be superior to Campbell as a preacher. |
|
Buckeye disciples, 79. |
| Missionaries arrive |
|
October [27 or 28], 1830 Oliver
Cowdery and companions call
on Sidney in Mentor. The next morning,
he tells the Clapps, "It's
all a lie!" |
|
¶ Missionaries
in Kirtland, 1830 |
| Baptizing for miracles |
|
November 5, 1830 the day after the missionaries baptize
seventeen members of the common stock family at Isaac
Morley's farm, they
call on Sidney again. He accuses them of baptizing "that they might work
miracles as well as come under the … covenant." |
|
¶ Missionaries
in Kirtland, 1830
¶ Missionaries
in Kirtland, 1830 |
| Weeps at Morley farm meeting |
|
November 6, 1830 [Saturday] Josiah Jones attends meeting
at the Morley farm and sees "Elder Rigdon much affected and shedding
tears." |
|
¶ Missionaries in Kirtland, 1830 |
| Sidney speaks |
|
Sidney Rigdon then
spoke And said he had bin trying to preach the gospel for a long time and
now he had done he thought he should never try to preach again and confessed
he was completely used up and advised the people not to contend against
it what they had heared |
|
¶ Levi
Hancock |
| Recants |
|
November 7, 1830 [Sunday] tries to preach to
his reformed Baptist followers at the Methodist chapel at Kirtland, but
is "so
affected that he could not; he said all that he had to say to us was to
repent and humble ourselves before God." Attends converts' confirmation
meeting at schoolhouse and says "that for two years past his preaching
had been of no use to us; it was more to please our fancy and tickle our
ears, than to affect our hearts." |
|
¶ Missionaries
in Kirtland, 1830
The Methodist meetinghouse was on the northeast corner of the block where
the House of the Lord would be raised. See Kirtland map at back of JS personal,
rev. ed. |
| Baptism |
|
November 8, 1830 baptized. Wife and Clapps note changed
demeanor. |
|
¶ Missionaries
in Kirtland, 1830
¶ History of the Mormonites
Richard L. Anderson dates Sidney's baptism November 15. Ohio preaching,
486. |
| Moves out of Clapp compound |
|
The next we heard of him, on Monday, he and his wife had
been baptized some time during that Sunday night and gone over to Mormonism.
This was immediately confirmed by his sending teams for his household goods
which were thus removed to Kirtland, himself never coming near us. |
|
H[enry] H. Clapp to [James T. Cobb], Jan.
28, 1879, Salt
Lake Tribune, May 16, 1879. Source |
| Leaves for New York |
|
November [29], 1830
Sidney leaves for New York |
|
Matthew S. Clapp to the
editor, PT, Feb. 15, 1831. Source |
| New York |
|
December 1830–January 1831 Sidney and Edward
Partridge visit
Joseph and the members in in New York. |
|
Sidney Rigdon:
1830 Church |
| |
|
December [7–11], 1830 Joseph receives a revelation
declaring Sidney was "sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before
me, and Elijah, which could come, and thou knew it not." |
|
"Mormonism," Ohio Star,
Jan. 5, 1832 // ¶ D&C
35:4 |
| Returns to Kirtland |
|
January 30, 1831 reports his New York trip in Kirtland and
tells the people Joseph will arrive soon. |
|
Matthew S. Clapp to the editor,
PT, Feb. 15, 1831. Source |
| Matthew Clapp challenges Sidney |
|
January 31–February 1 Matthew Clapp and others challenge
Sidney's faith in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. |
|
Sidney Rigdon Interview (January 1831) |
| Thomas Campbell challenges Sidney
to debate |
|
February 15, 1831 Painesville Telegraph publishes
Thomas Campbell's challenge to Sidney to debate
the Book of Mormon. "Mr. [R.] waited for no explanation, but dashed
the letter into the fire, professing to feel very much insulted, but no
doubt feeling very glad of an excuse for refusing to debate the question
as he had proposed." |
|
PT, Feb.
15, 1831. Source
H. H. Clapp to [James T. Cobb], Jan.
28, 1879, Salt
Lake Tribune, May 16, 1879. Source |
| Suspected of writing the Book of Mormon |
¶ |
[February 15, 1831] The Painesville Telegraph of this morning has the
particulars of the acceptance of a challenge by Thomas Campbell, given
by a noted mountebank by the name of Elder Rigdon, … to test the
validity of the doctrine contained in the Book of Mormon!… |
|
Cleveland Advertiser, Feb. 15, 1831. Source |
| |
¶ |
Rigdon was formerly a disciple of Campbell's and who it is said was sent
out to make proselytes, but is probable he thought he should find it more
advantageous to operate on his own capital, and therefore wrote, as it
is believed the Book of Mormon, and commenced his pilgrimage in the town
of Kirtland, which was represented as one of the extreme points of the
Holy Land. |
|
|
| Baptizes brother |
|
May 1831 Sidney Rigdon baptizes his brother, Carvel. |
|
MS 16:835. |
| High Priesthood |
|
June [3 or 4], 1831 ordained to the High Priesthood by Lyman Wight at
the the first "general conference" in Kirtland. |
|
¶ Minutes
of June [3]–6, 1830 |
| To Missouri |
|
June 19, 1831 departs Kirtland for Missouri with Joseph,
Edward Partridge, Martin
Harris, W. W. Phelps, Joseph
Coe, and A. S. Gilbert and his wife.
They travel by wagon, canal, and stage to Cincinnati. Then by steamer
to Louisville to St. Louis. Walk to Independence. |
|
MH A-1, 126 //
Papers 1:356; HC 1:188.
W. W. Phelps dates the departure June 18. ¶ W.
W. Phelps |
| Independence |
|
July 14, 1831 party arrives in
Independence. |
|
¶ W.
W. Phelps |
| Sidney to describe
land |
|
August [1 or 2], 1831 a revelation
commands Sidney to "write a description of the land of Zion, and a
statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit,
unto him … And let my servant Sidney consecrate and
dedicate this land, and the spot for the temple, unto the Lord." |
|
¶ D&C
58:50, 57
¶ Ezra Booth Letter #5 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Pomp and ceremony
Consecrates land
Oath of allegiance |
¶ |
[August 2, 1831] The laying of
the foundation of Zion was attended with considerable parade and an ostentatious
display of talents, both by Rigdon and Cowdery. The place being designated
as the site where the city was to commence, on the day appointed we repaired
to the spot … Rigdon consecrated the ground, … and then
… prepared the way for administering the oath of allegiance to
those who were to receive their "everlasting inheritance" in
that city. He laid them under the most solemn obligations to constantly
obey all the commandments of Smith. |
|
¶ Ezra
Booth Letter #6 |
| Shrub oak |
|
These preliminaries being ended,
a shrub oak, about ten inches in diameter at the butt, the best that could
be obtained near at hand, was prostrated, trimmed, and cut off at a suitable
length; and twelve men, answering to the twelve apostles, by means of handspikes,
conveyed it to the place. |
|
|
| Oliver selects stone |
|
Cowdery craved the privilege of
laying the corner-stone. He selected a small rough stone, the best he could
find, carried it in one hand to the spot, removed the surface of the earth
to prepare a place for its reception, and then displayed his oratorical
power, in delivering an address, suited to the important occasion. |
|
|
| |
|
The stone being placed, one end
of the shrub oak stick was laid upon it; and there was laid down the first
stone and stick, which are to form an essential part of the splendid city
of Zion. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Ceremonial first log (see note)
|
|
… twelve of us assembled
ourselves together Viz. Elder Joseph Smith Jr. the Seer, Oliver
Cowdery, Sidn[e]y Rigdon, Newel Knight, William
W. Phelps, and Ezra Booth who denied
the faith. |
|
J. Whitmer, 86.
John reports
twelve assembled, but only names six. He does not when they gathered
or what they did. Joseph's history may provide some answers: "On
the 2d day of August, I assissted [assisted] the Colesville branch of
the church to lay the first log for a house as a foundation of Zion,
in Kaw township, twelve miles west of Independence. The log was carried
and placed by twelve men in honor of the twelve tribes of Israel. At
the same time, through prayer, the land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated
for the gathering of the Saints by elder Rigdun [Rigdon]; and it was
a season of joy to those prsent, and afforded a glimpse of the future,
which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful." MH A-1,
137. |
Leads pledge
Consecrates land |
¶ |
On the second day of August
1831, Brother Sidney Rigdon stood up and asked saying: Do you receive
this land for the land of your inheritance with thankful hearts from
the Lord? answer from all we do, Do you pledge yourselves to keep the
laws of God on this land, which you have never have kept in your own
land? We do. Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of to brethren,
who shall come hither do keep the laws of God? We do. After prayer he
arose and said, I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated to
the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints, (in the name
of Jesus Christ having authority from him.) And for all the faithful
Servants of the Lord to the rimotest ages of time Aamen [Amen]. |
|
| Cornerstone |
|
The next day [August 3, 1831] the
ground for the temple was consecrated, and Smith claimed the honour
of laying the corner-stone himself. Should the inhabitants of Independence
feel a desire to visit this place, … they will have only to walk
one half of a mile out of the town, to a rise of ground, a short distance
south of the road. They will be able to ascertain the spot by the means
of a sapling, distinguished from the others by the bark being broken off
on the north and on the east side. On the south side of the sapling will
be found the letter T, which stands for temple; and on the east side ZOM!
for Zomas; which Smith says is the original word for Zion. Near the foot
of the sapling they will find a small stone covered over with bushes, which
were cut for that purpose. This is the corner-stone for the temple. |
|
¶ Ezra
Booth Letter #6 |
| Dedicates temple
site |
|
August 3, 1831
Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver
Cowdery, Martin
Harris, Newel Knight, W.
W. Phelps, Ezra Booth, Joseph
Coe, and Peter Whitmer
Jr. gather at the temple site. Sidney dedicates the site and
Joseph lays "a stone at the North east corner of the contemplated Temple
in the name of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth." |
|
J. Whitmer, 86;
TS 5 (1844): 450. |
| Delivers
charge to the Saints in Zion |
|
August 4, 1831 exhorts the
Saints to obedience "by
delivering a charge" to "the Bishop, rulers & Members of
the Church planted in their inheritances in the land of Zion." |
|
Minutes of August
4, 1831 |
| Baptizes Orson Hyde |
|
October 2, 1831 baptizes Orson Hyde.
Joseph confirms him, and together they ordain him an elder. |
|
MH A-1, 154 // TS 5,
no. 7 (Apr. 1, 1844): 481. |
| High Priesthood indifference |
|
October 26, 1831 chastizes elders ordained to the High Priesthood the
previous evening, "saying that the Lord was not well pleased with some
of them because of their indifference to be ordained to that office, exhortation
to faith and obedience setting forth the power of that office." |
|
¶ Minutes
of October 25–26, 1831 |
| Sidney's hyperbole |
|
[November 24, 1831 Ezra Booth characterizes Sidney:] It is also
indirectly stated, that Rigdon has acquired the habit of exaggeration.
The truth of this statement, I presume, will be doubted but by few, who
have been long acquainted with him. Most of his communications carry the
appearance of high and false coloring; and I am persuaded, that truth by
this embellishing touch, often degenerates into fiction. … "You
are a liar, you are a child of the Devil, you are an enemy to all righteousness,
and the spirit of the Devil is in you," and the like is dealt out
profusely against an obstinate opponent, and especially, one whom they
are pleased to nickname apostate. |
|
¶ Ezra
Booth Letters (7) |
| Challenges Symonds Ryder |
|
December 15, 1831 issues a notice
to the public that he will discuss Ezra
Booth's letters at a school in Ravenna and invites Ezra to
be present. He also challenges Simonds Rider [ Symonds Ryder] to
debate the Book of Mormon in Hiram: |
|
Ohio Star, Dec. 15, 1831. Source |
| |
¶ |
Sir—As you have publicly declared the book of Mormon to be an
imposition, and I believing it to be otherwise, at present, deeming it
my privilege to know it as well as you, do hereby present a request to
you to meet me in the township of Hiram, Portage county, at such time and
place as may be agreed upon hereafter, to investigate this subject, before
the public; that if I am deluded in receiving this book as a revelation
from God, I may be corrected, and the public relieved from anxiety. Your
acceptance or rejection of this request, is desired through the medium
of the Ohio Star.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Conclude mission |
|
January [8–10], 1832 Joseph and Sidney conclude
their mission to Shalersville,
Ravenna, and other places to refute
Ezra Booth's "scandalous letters" recently published in
the Ohio
Star. |
|
MH A-1, 179–80 // HC 1:239. |
| Attacks Edward Partridge's character |
|
[January 24, 1832] at a conference in Independence, Bishop
Partridge presents letters
from Sidney to him dated September 10,
1831, and to John Corrill and Isaac
Morley dated November 14, 1831, that make "certain charges … detrimental
to [his] character and standing as a Bishop." Conference recommends
that elders "stationed in this land" discuss situation with Edward
and then write Sidney "a friendly humiliating letter advising that this
difficulty be settled and thereby the wound of the Church be healed." |
|
¶ Oliver
to Joseph, January 28, 1832
Minutes of March
10, 1832
Joseph
to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832 |
| The Vision |
|
February 16 1832 working with Joseph on the translation
of the Gospel of John, experiences "the Vision" with Joseph.
According to Philo Dibble, several others were in the room at the time.
Joseph would describe what he saw and Sidney would reply, "I
see the same," and vice versa. |
|
MH A-1, 183.
D&C 76
¶ Joseph Remembered: Philo Dibble |
| Ordains Joseph president |
|
February 25, 1832 ordains Joseph Smith President of the
High Priesthood. |
|
¶ Presidents
of the High Priesthood |
| United Firm |
|
March 1, 1832 Joseph, Sidney, and
Newel to covenant with one another on behalf of the United
Firm, and counsel
with Saints in Zion. |
|
D&C 78 |
| Counselor in presidency of the High Priesthood |
|
[March 1, 1832] Chose this day and ordained brother Jesse Gause [11]
and Broth Sidney to be my councellors of the ministry of the presidency
of <th> high
Pri[e]sthood |
|
Entry in KRB, 10–11. Conflicts
with the March 15 date for D&C 81,
which calls Jesse to the presidency in the same record book. |
| Zion conference defends Edward |
|
March 10, 1832 special conference in Zion resolves to write Sidney regarding
his November 14, 1831 charges against Bishop Edward
Partridge,
stating that Edward has made amends and suggesting that Sidney has been
motivated by "hasty feelings rather than the Spirit of Christ." |
|
Minutes of March
10, 1832 |
| Tarred and feathered |
|
March 24–25, 1832 in Hiram, Joseph and Sidney are dragged from their
beds, beaten, tarred, and feathered. Sidney moves to Kirtland
on Wednesday, March 28 . |
|
1832
Tarring |
| Moves to Chardon |
|
April 1, 1832 moves to Chardon. |
|
|
| Left in Kirtland |
|
April 2, 1832 apparently left behind when Joseph leaves for Missouri
with N. K. Whitney, Peter
Whitmer Jr.,
and Jesse
Gause. |
|
|
| |
|
April 26, 1832 at the conference in Independence where Joseph is acknowledged
as the President of the High Priesthood, the conflict over Sidney's charges
against the Bishop Partridge seem to be settled and "the
hearts of all run together in love." Joseph receives D&C
82, establishing the United Firm. |
|
Minutes of April
26–27, 1832 |
Joseph's counselor
Equal in holding keys |
|
[March 18, 1833] … Bro Sidney arose and desired that he and Bro Frederick Should
be ordained to the office that they had been called Viz to the of [sic]
President of the high Priesthood and to be equal in holding the keys of
the Kingdom with {J} Brother Joseph Smith Jr according to a revelation
given on the 8th day of March 1833 in Kirtland … |
|
¶ Minutes
of March 18, 1833
¶ D&C 90:6 (KRB
version) |
| Mission with John P. Greene |
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February 20, 1834 called on a mission to Strongsville with
John P. Greene. |
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¶ Minutes
of February 20, 1834 |
| Church name change |
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May 3, 1834 proposes name change to Church of the Latter Day Saints.
Approved by conference of elders, Joseph Smith, moderator. |
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¶ Minutes
of May 3, 1834 |
| Patriarchal blessing |
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September 13, 1835 receives patriarchal blessing. |
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| Failed church court |
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May 29, 1837 presides over meeting of Kirtland high council to
try Presidents David
Whitmer and F. G. Williams and
Elders Lyman Johnson and Parley P Pratt
(h) and Warren
Parrish for conduct "injurious to the Church of God in which
they are high officers." Warren objects that the the complaint is "not
in accordance with the copy of which they received of the charge preferred
against them." Frederick objects that the high council does not
have jurisdiction over church presidents. Parley objects to being tried
by Sidney or Joseph "in consequence of their having previously expressed
their opinion against him." Meeting ends "in confusion." |
|
Meeting of May
29, 1837 |
Sidney edit Elders'
Journal letters
First Presidency compensation
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May 13, 1838 named by council to
edit the "Orthography
and Prosody" of letters
to the editor for the Elders Journal. A committee is "authorized
to instruct the Bishop to pay the First Presidency, Joseph Smith, & Sidney
Rigdon, whatever sum they agree with them for." |
|
Minutes of May 13, 1838
Ebenezer Robinson later reports annual salaries of $1,100
were granted but quickly rescinded. ¶ Joseph's
Finances: 1838 |
| Daviess County |
|
May 18, 1838 travels north with Joseph, Thomas B. Marsh, and
others to Daviess County, where they meet with Oliver
Cowdery, Lyman E. Johnson and others
exploring for possible settlement sites on Grand River. Return to Far West
the same day. |
|
¶ Thomas
B. Marsh (h) |
| Salt Sermon |
|
June 17, 1838 delivers "the salt sermon," declaring it is the
duty of people "to trample [dissenters] into the earth" or
hang them. Joseph reportedly says, "Though I don't want the brethren
to act unlawfully; but I will tell them one thing, Judas was a traitor,
and instead of hanging himself was hung by Peter." |
|
All known salt sermon texts and
an excellent analysis are in Salt sermon; Reed Peck Manuscript 7; Sidney Rigdon
218–219. |
| Independence Day oration |
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July 4, 1838 delivers fiery Independence Day oration in Far West. |
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Sidney Rigdon's Independence Day Oration (1838) |
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| Nancy's marriage proposal |
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August 27, 1842 writes to the Nauvoo Wasp that John Benett's
claim that Joseph Smith proposed marriage to his daughter, Nancy, in writing,
is false. Nancy told Sidney "that she never said to Gen. Bennett or any
other person, that said letter was written by said Mr. Smith, nor in his
hand writing, but by another person and in another persons' hand writing.
… I would further state that Mr. Smith denied to me the authorship
of that letter." |
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The Wasp 1, no. 20 (Sept. 3, 1842): 2. |
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| Excommunicated |
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September 8, 1844 excommunicated. |
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| New church |
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October 12, 1845 Pittsburgh supporters sustain Sidney as "first
president" of the new Church of Christ. |
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Origins, 653. |
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Joseph on Sidney |
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| Joseph blesses Sidney |
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[November 19, 1833] … blessed be brother Sidney also notwithstanding
he shall be high and lifted up, yet he shall bow down under the yoke like
unto an ass that coucheth beneath his burthen; that learneth his master’s by
the stroke of the rod: thus saith the Lord. Yet the Lord will have mercy
on him and he shall bring forth much fruit; even as the vun of
the choice grape when her clusters are ripe, before the time of the
gleaning of the vintage: and the Lord shall make his heart merry as with
sweet wine because of him who putteth forth his hand and lifteth him up from <out
of> [a] deep mire, and pointeth him out of the way, and
guideth his feet when he stumbles; and humbleth him in his pride. Blessed
are his generations. Nevertheless, one shall hunt after them as a man hunteth
after an ass that hath strayed in the wilderness, & straitway findeth him
and bringeth him into the fold. Thus shall the Lord watch over his generation
that they may be saved: even so; Amen. |
|
Diary-1 in Papers, 13, handwriting
of Oliver Cowdery. Cp. blessing of ¶ Frederick
G. Williams immediately preceeding. |
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Sidney's Influence |
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Sidney added the religious component of
Mormonism |
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That Rigdon forms the connecting link between Spalding’s book & the
Bible & put all the Judaism & Christianity there is in Mormonism
into it there is not a shaddow of a doubt in my mind That 'he stole (not
all but the best part) of his thunder from the Disciples' by taking their
plea for the restoration of primitive Christianity & if the Disciples
could be successful in bringing the people back to the old Apostolic doctrine
of faith repentance & baptism for the conversion of sinners so could
the Mormons. With this he coupled the common expectation of Many in
almost all the churches that before the Millennium began we should have
faith & purity enough & miracles would be restored This coupled
with the other constituted the elements of their success. |
|
J. J. Moss to T. J. Cobb, Dec. 17, 1878,
1. Source |
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Family |
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| Wife |
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Phebe Brooks, b. May 3, 1800 in Bridgewater,
Cumberland, NJ, daughter of Jeremiah Brooks
and Dorcas Smith
md. June 12, 1820 in Warren, Trumbull, Ohio
d. Feb.
2, 1886 in Friendship, Allegheny, New York |
|
Ancestry.com;
Sidney Rigdon, 17, citing Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine (1936)
27:158; ¶ Sidney Rigdon (h) has Bridgetown. |
| Wife |
|
Phebe Brooks, b. in Bridgeton, Cumberland, New Jersey
md. June
12, 1820 in Warren, Trumbull, Ohio
d. July 14, 1876 in Friendship, Allegheny,
New Yrok |
|
¶ Ancestry.com |
| Children |
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Lucy/Lacy, b. 1819 in South Bristol, Addison, Vermont
md.
Jeremiah Hatch;
d. Apr. 15, 1877
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¶ Ancestry.com |
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Hortensia A., b. 1821 in Warren, Ohio
md. George
W. Robinson;
d. 1900 in Friendship, Allegheny, New York
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Nancy, b. Dec. 8, 1822 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
d.
Nov. 1, 1887 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA
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Elizabeth Eliza, b. 1823 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
d. Aug. 1842 in
Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois |
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Sarah, b. 1824 in Friendship, New York
md. Earl Bradley
Wingate
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Sidney, b. 1828 in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio |
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John Wickliff, b. June 14, 1830 in Mentor, Geauga County, Ohio
md.
Sophia Jane Cole, Dec. 12, 1861
d. Apr. 5, 1912 in Salt Lake City |
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Samuel Carvel, b. Dec. 29, 1834 in Kirtland
d. Jan. 16, 1835 in Kirtland |
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Phebe, b. 1836 in Ohio
md. Samuel Speer |
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Ephraim R., b. 1842 in Illinois
md. Alice |
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Sidney Rigdon (h)
Sidney Rigdon: 1830 Church
Sidney Rigdon's Independence Day Oration (1838)
Sidney Rigdon Interview
(January 1831)
Biographies
|