--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Jaques, John collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 3 number: 2 published: 1899-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Jaques, John, "The Life and Labors of Sidney Rigdon, I," *Improvement Era* 3, no. 2 (December 1899): 97–109.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera32unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera32unse start_page: 97 end_page: 109 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera32unse publication_year: 1899 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Life and Labors of Sidney Rigdon, I LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON. BY JOHN JAQUES, ASSISTANT CHURCH HISTORIAN. I. Sidney S. Rigdon, as it is understood his proper name was, but who was universally known as Sidney Rigdon, was born in St. Clair Township, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1793, and was the youngest son of William and Nancy Rigdon. William Rigdon was born in Hartford County, Maryland, in 1743, and died May 26, 1810. He was the son of Thomas Baker Rigdon and Ann Lucy Rigdon. Thomas Baker Rigdon was born in Maryland and was the son of Thomas Baker Rigdon, from Great Britain. Ann Lucy Rigdon, grandmother of Sidney, was born in Ireland. She emigrated to Boston, and was there married to Thomas Baker Rigdon. Nancy Rigdon's mother was born at Freehold, Monmouth County,New Jersey, March 16, 1759, and died October 3, 1839; was eldest daughter of Briant Gallaher, of Ireland. Elizabeth Reed Gallaher, mother of Nancy Rigdon, was Gallaher's second wife, and was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Her parents were born in Scotland. Sidney Rigdon thought he was of Norman extraction, and that his ancestors came to England with William the Conqueror. Sidney's father was a farmer and had three sons, Carvil, Loami, Sidney S., and a daughter Lucy. Before his marriage, William Rigdon moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania, and Sidney Rigdon's mother had previously moved to the same state from New Jersey. When Sidney Rigdon was seventeen years of age, his father died, and Sidney's mother died when he was twenty-six years old. 98 IMPROVEMENT ERA In his 25th year, he became a member of the society of "Regular Baptists," under the charge of Rev. David Phillips, from Wales, and the next year left the farm, and went to live with Rev. Andrew Clark, another Baptist preacher. While there, Sidney received a license and commenced to preach, and from March, 1819, followed farming no more. In May of that year, he went to Trumbull County, Ohio, and in July lived with Adamson Bentley, another Baptist preacher. There Sidney became acquainted with Phebe Brook, a native of Bridge- town, Cumberland County, New Jersey, whom he married, June 12, 1820. He continued to preach in that region until November 1821, when, on request, he left Warren, Trumbull Co., and took charge of the First Baptist Church, Pittsburg, where he preached with con- siderable success, that church soon rising from a very low, confused state to a rapid increase of members, crowded meetings, and to be one of the most respectable churches of that city. He became a very popular preacher, and his society was much sought after. But after awhile he was greatly perplexed with the idea that the doctrines taught by the church he was connected with were not altogether in accordance with scripture. Nor were those of any other church with which he was acquainted altogether satisfactory to him. But he knew no other way of getting a living, and he had a wife and three children to support. After great deliberation and reflection and solemn prayer, he resolved to follow his convic- tions. In August, 1824, he announced to the members of that church that he was determined to withdraw from it, as he could no longer uphold its doctrines. In consequence of his great popularity, this unexpected announcement caused amazement, sorrow, and tears to his congregation. At that time Alexander Campbell, who came from Ireland, was a member of the Baptist association, but he afterwards separated from it. Walter Scott, a native of Scotland, also left it about the same time. Mr. Campbell had previously lived at Bethany, Brook County, Virginia, where he published the Christian Baptist, monthly. After leaving the Baptist church, these three gentlemen, being very friendly, frequently met together to discuss religious topics. Eventually from this connection sprang a church, the THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON. 99 members of which called themselves "Disciples," but which were generally known as Campbellites, though Rigdon had much to do with it. For the maintenance of his family, Mr. Rigdon went to work as a journe3mian tanner, many of his former warm friends looking upon him with great coolness and indifference. His wife cheer- fully shared his sorrow and humiliation, believing that all would work together for their good. After having labored for two years as a tanner, he removed to Bainbridge, Geauga Co., Ohio, where, it being known that he had been a popular preacher, he was solicited to preach, with which request he complied. Thenceforth he devoted himself to the work of the ministry, confining himself to no special creed, but holding the Bible as his rule of faith, and advocating repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, doctrines which Mr. Campbell and he had been investigating. He labored in that vicinity one year with much success, numbers attending his meetings, building up a large and respectable church at Mantua, Portage County, Ohio. His doctrines were new, and crowded houses assembled to hear him, though some opposed and ridiculed his doctrines. He was then pressingly invited to remove to Mentor, an enter- prising town, about thirty miles from Bainbridge, and near Lake Erie, which he did sometime afterward. There were the remnants of a Baptist church, nearly broken up, the members of which were attached to his doctrines. But many of the citizens were jealous of him, and slanderous reports were circulated concerning him. However, he continued his labors, and in a few months the opposi- tion weakened, prejudice gave way, and he became very popular, the churches where he preached being filled to overflowing to hear him, the doctrines being new, but were elucidated with unusual clearness, and enforced with great eloquence. Calls came from every direction for him to preach, which he complied with as much as he could. His fame increased and spread abroad, thousands, rich and poor, flocking to hear his eloquent discourses, so that the churches where he preached became too small to hold the crowds who went to hear him, and he had to preach in the open air, in the woods and groves, to the multitudes of eager hearers. He expa- •100 IMPROVEMENT ERA. tiated upon the literal fulfillment of prophecy, the gathering of coming of the Son of man, the judg- Israel in the last days, the ments to be poured out upon the ungodly, the reign of Christ with his saints on the earth, the millennium, etc. Many became convinced and were baptized, whole churches became converted, and he soon had large and flourishing societies throughout that region. He was a welcome visitor wherever he went, and his society was courted by the learned and intelligent. He then had a wife and six children, and lived in a small, unfinished frame house, not very comfortable. The members of his church held a meeting to take into consideration his wants and provide for them. They resolved to erect him a suitable residence. They purchased a farm, and commenced the building of a better house and outbuildings for him, and his prospects with regard to temporal things became brighter than ever before. This was in the fall of 1830, at which time Elders Parley P.- Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Oliver Cowdery, and Peter Whitmer stayed awhile at Mentor, on their mission to the Indians on the western boundaries of Missouri. Elder Pratt had been a preacher in the same church as Sidney Rigdon, who was his instructor. Elder Pratt resided at Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio. He had been sent into the State of New York on a mission, where he became acquainted with the circumstances of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and was introduced to Joseph Smith and other Latter-day Saints. After reading the Book of Mormon, Parley P. Pratt became convinced that it was of God, was baptized, ordained an elder, and began to preach. Believing that there were many among his former associates who were honest seekers after truth, and being sent on his mission to the west, he resolved to call dur- ing his journey on his old friends, and make known to them the great work which the Lord had begun. The first houseElder Pratt and his brethren called at was Sidney Rigdon's. They presented him with the Book of Mormon, saying that it was a revelation from God. He had not heard of it before, and was much prejudiced at the assertion, replying that he was acquainted with one Bible, which he believed was a revelation from God, but he had considerable doubts regarding their book. They wished to investigate the subject with him. But he said, THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON. 101 "No, young gentlemen, you must not argue with me on the subject, but I will read your book, and see what claim it has upon my faith, and will endeavor to ascertain whether it be a revelation from God or not." But he readily granted their request to preach in his chapel and lay the subject before the people. According to appointment, a large congregation assembled, which was addressed by Oliver Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt, fol- lowed by Sidney Rigdon, who said the information they had received was of an extraordinary character and demanded the most serious consideration. He exhorted his hearers to take the apostle's advice, "to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good," and not turn against what they had heard without being fully convinced of its being an imposition, lest possibly they should resist the truth. Elders Cowdery and Pratt returned home with Mr. Rigdon conversing upon the things preached about. He said he would read the Book of Mormon, investigate it fully, and then frankly tell them his mind and feelings on the subject. About a fortnight after he had received the book, and after much prayer and meditation, he was convinced by a revelation from Jesus Christ, given in a remarkable manner. Fully satisfied in his own mind of the truth of the work, he informed his wife of it, and found that she was investigating the subject and was be- lieving with all her heart. To embrace the new doctrines was a severe trial. He informed his wife that it wouldundoubtedly make a great change in their worldly circumstances if he obeyed the Gospel, and he said to her, "My dear, you have once followed me into poverty, are you again willing to do the same?" She replied, "I have weighed the matter, I have contemplated on the circumstances in which we may be placed, I have counted the cost, and I am perfectly satisfied to follow you; it is my desire to do the will of God, come life or come death." Accordingly both were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and with those already baptized in that place, formed a branch of The Church of about twenty members, and Brother Rigdon and others were ordained to the ministry. 102 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Elders Cowdery and Pratt bade an affectionate farewell and pro- ceeded on their mission to the Lamanites. In December, 1830, Elder Rigdon went to Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord. Shortly after, Joseph received a revelation of which the following is part: "Behold, verily, verily I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold, thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah, which should come, and thou knewest it not. Thou didst baptize by water unto repent- ance, but they received not the Holy Ghost; but now I give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, even as the apostles of old. ''And I have sent forth the fullness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him, and I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me; and if not, another will I plant in his stead. "Wherefore watch over him, that his faith fail not; and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things. And a commandment I give unto thee, that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect; for they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming, for they shall be purified, even as I am pure. And now I say unto you, tarry with him, and he shall journey with you, —forsake him not, and surely these things shall be fulfilled. And inasmuch as ye do not write, behold it shall be given unto him to prophesy; and thau shalt preach my Gospel, and call on the holy prophets to prove his words, as they shall be given him." The following is an extract from a revelation through Joseph to Edward Partridge: "I will lay my hands upon you by the hand of my servant Sid- THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON 103 ney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom; and you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying, Hosan- nah, blessed be the name of the Most High God. "And now this calling and commandment give I unto you con- cerning all men, that as many as shall come before my servants, Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jr., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the ever- lasting Gospel among the nations, crying repentance, saying. Save yourselves from this untoward generation, and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh." Other revelations were given to Joseph and Sidney soon after- ward concerning their labors in preaching the Gospel, etc. In the latter part of January, 1831, the Prophet Joseph and wife, accompanied by elders Rigdon and Partridge, started for Kirtland where they arrived about the first of February. They were kindly received and welcomed by Brother N. K. Whitney and family. In February a revelation was given, directing that the elders should go forth, preaching the Gospel, excepting, "my servant Joseph, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon. And I give unto them a command- ment that they shall go forth for a little season, and it shall be given them by the power of my Spirit when they shall return." In March, a revelation was given directing Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt and Lemon Copley to go and preach the Gospel to the Shakers, calling on them to believe, repent and be baptized, which the three brethren did, near Cleveland, but the Shakers re- jected the Gospel. On the 19th of June, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, A. S. Gilbert and wife started from Kirtland, in accordance with a revelation previously given, for Missouri, going by wagon, canal boats and stages to Cincinnati, and by steamer to St. Louis. Joseph Smith and some others went thence to Independence, Jackson County, Missouri on foot, on land, and the rest went by water, Sidney Rig- don and wife among them, arriving about the middle of July. In August Sidney was appointed by revelation to write a description 104 IMPROVEMENT ERA. of the land of Zion, also an epistle to be sent to the different branches of The Church. On August 2, in accordance with a revelation, Sidney Rig- don consecrated and dedicated the land of Zion for the gathering of the Saints. On the 3rd, the spot for the temple, a little west of Independence, was dedicated in the presence of eight men, among whom were Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe. A revelation was given, August 8, directing that Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery take their journy for St. Louis and Cincinnati. The next day, Joseph with ten elders left Independence landing, in sixteen canoes, on the way to Kirtland. A revelation was given on the 12th, directing Joseph, Sidney and Oliver to travel by land and not on the waters, except on the canal, while returning to their homes. They three were not to preach to the world till they got to Cincinnati. From St. Louis, they took stage for Kirtland, arriving on the 27th. In a revelation given the same month, after their arrival in Kirtland, Joseph and Sidney were directed to seek them a home, and of Sidney the Lord said: "And now, behold, verily I say unto you, I the Lord, am not pleased with my servant Sidney Rigdon; he exalteth himself in his heart, and receiveth not counsel, but grieveth the Spirit; where- fore his writing is not acceptable unto the Lord; and he shall make another, and, if the Lord receive it not, behold he standeth no longer in the office unto which I have appointed him." In October, Joseph and Sidney, having removed to Hiram, Portage County, about thirty miles south-easterly from Kirtland, Joseph recommenced the translation of the scriptures, Sidney act- ing as scribe. At a conference, October 11, David Whitmer and Reynolds Cahoon were appointed to obtain means for Joseph and Sidney to continue the translation. On the 3rd of December, as directed by revelation, Joseph and Sidney went to Kirtland, preaching in several other places also. A revelation was given January 10, 1832, commanding Jos- eph and Sidney to continue the translation until it was finished. While translating St. John's gospel, on February 16, Joseph and THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON 105 Sidney had a remarkable vision concerning the glories of the celestial, terrestrial and telestial worlds. In the night of the 25th of March, a party of mobocrats led by Simonds Rider, a Campbellite preacher, seized Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, dragged them out of their houses, abused them shamefully, and tarred and feathered them, that being at the time a favorite method of mobocratic assault and torture. Sidney was dragged out by the heels and injured so much that he became de- lirious and remained so several days. The mob was composed of various religious parties, mostly Campbellites, Methodists and Bap- tists, who continued to molest and menace Father John Johnson's house for a long time. Elder Rigdon and family, who were sick with the measles, re- moved to Kirtland the following Wednesday, 29th. Saturday, April 1, on account of the mob, he went to Char- don and joined Joseph at Warren on the 2nd. On the 5th, they left Steubenville by steamboat for Wheeling, Va., going thence by steamer to Louisville and St. Louis, thence by stage to Independ- ence, where they arrived on the 24th. Elder Rigdon preached two powerful discoures while there. May 6, Joseph, Sidney and N. K. Whitney left Independence by stage, via St. Louis, for Kirtland, where they arrived in June, and Joseph recommenced the translation of the Scriptures, spend- ing most of the summer on that work. On the 2nd of February, 1833, Joseph completed the transla- tion of the New Testament, in which Sidney Rigdon had assisted him as scribe. According to revelation given March 8, 1833, Sidney Rig- don and Frederick G. Williams were ordained and set apart March 18 by Joseph Smith, as his counselors in the presidency. March 23, Sidney set apart Ezra Thayre and Joseph Coe to purchase land in Kirtland on which to build a stake of Zion. In the spring, Sidney had raised up and was presiding over a branch in Norton Township, Medina County, Ohio. Having finished the translation of the Scriptures on July 2nd, the first presidency started on preaching tours. At this time, sectarian missionaries on the frontiers rose up 106 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and excited a mobocratic uprising against the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri. Joseph, Sidney, and Freeman Nickerson left Kirtland, October 5, on a journey eastward and to upper Canada. They preached at several places on the way, returning to Kirtland November 4. After their return, Sidney was afflicted with sore eyes. In a revelation given October 12, Sidney was called to be a spokesman unto Joseph: "And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people; yes, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph; and I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony; and I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a rev- elator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth." Joseph wrote of Sidney Rigdon, November 19, as follows: "My heart is somewhat sorrowful, but I feel to trust in the Lord, the God of Jacob. I have learned in my travels that man is treacherous and selfish, but few excepted. "Brother Sidney is a man whom I love, but is not capable of that pure and steadfast love for those who are his benefactors, as should possess the breast of a president of the Church of Christ. This, with some other little things, such as a selfishness and inde- pendence of mind, which, too often manifested, destroy the confi- dence of those who would lay down their lives for him —but, not- withstanding these things, he is a very great and good man; a man of great power of words, and can gain the friendship of his hear- ers very quick. He is a man whom God will uphold, if he will con- tinue faithful to his calling. God, grant that he may, for the Lord's sake. Amen. "The man who willeth to do well, we should extol his virtues, and speak not of his faults behind his back. A man who wilfully turneth away from his friend without a cause is not easily forgiven. The kindness of a man should never be forgotten. That person who never forsaketh his trust, should ever have the highest place for regard in our hearts, and our love should never fail, but in- crease more and more, and this is my disposition and sentiment* THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON. 107 "And again, 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 croucheth beneath his burthen, that learneth his master's will 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 vine 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, be- cause of him who putteth forth his hand and lifteth him up out of deep mire, and pointeth him out the way, and guideth his feet when he stumbleth, and humbleth him in his pride. Blessed are his generations; nevertheless one shall hunt after them as a man hunt- eth after an ass that has strayed in the wilderness, and straight- way findeth him and bringeth him into the fold. Thus shall the Lord watch over his generation, that they be saved. Even so. Amen." In accordance with a revelation given February 24, 1834, Sidney Rigdon and Lyman Wight started soon after on a mission to the country eastward, to preach and to endeavor to get some young and middle aged volunteer brethren to go to Jackson County, Missouri, and assist in the redemption of Zion. With Joseph Smith and other elders, Sidney and L3niian at- tended a conference, March 17, at Avon, Livingston County, New York, with this purpose in view, and also to raise means to free the Kirtland Church from debt. Joseph, Sidney and Lyman started back for Kirtland on the 19th, arriving there on the 28th. On the 18th of April, Joseph, Sidney, Oliver and Zebedee Coltrin left Kirtland for New Portage to hold conference. At Norton they retired to the wilderness and united in prayer for the brethren who were going to the land of Zion. They then laid hands on and blessed each other. Elders Rigdon, Cowdery and Coltrin blessed Joseph. On the 21st, they attended an important conference when several brethren volunteered to go to Zion and others donated money "for the benefit of the scattered brethren in Zion." On the 22nd, Joseph, Sidney, Oliver and others returned to Kirtland. Early in May, Joseph left Kirtland for Missouri. Elder Rigdon continued to act in his presidential oflSce at Kirtland. He was also 108 IMPROVEMENT ERA. one of the trustees and conductors of the "Kirtland school," where- in penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar and geography were taught during the winter. At a meeting, March 7, 1835, Sidney was appointed to lay on hands and bestow blessings in the name of the Lord on those who had labored on the Kirtland temple, or who had "consecrated to its upbuilding." Accordingly, many blessings were given that day and the next. April 3 and 4, Elder Rigdon was presiding at a conference at Freedom, New York. On the 2nd of May he attended a grand council and conference at Kirtland, and a High Council August 4. Joseph, Sidney, Oliver, and F. G. Williams, having been appointed a committee, September 24, 1834, to arrange "the items of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, for the government of the Church," a General Assembly of the Church was held at Kirtland, August 17, to take into consideration the labors of the committee, which had resulted in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter-day Saints." The book was accepted by unanimous vote of the assembly. Joseph was absent in Michigan, but Oliver and Sidney were in Kirtland and acted as presidents in the assembly. Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver left Kirtland for New Portage, September 2, to attend a conference, returning on the 8th. Joseph, Sidney, and several others united in a prayer meeting, October 23, asking the Lord to deliver them out of their afflic- tions and difficulties caused by debts, to deliver Zion without the shedding of blood, to grant them long life and freedom from mobs, to preserve their posterity, to enable them and others to go to Zion (Western Missouri), and purchase inheritances there without perplexity and trouble, and finally save them in the celestial kingdom. On November 2, Joseph, Sidney, Oliver and others, went to Willoughby to hear Senator Piexotto lecture on the theory and practice of physic. The next day Joseph assisted in organizing the "Elders' School," and dedicated it at Kirtland. Various meetings and councils were held on different days, and visitors of more or less note were received, with many of which ; THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON. 109 events Sidney was connected. On Sunday, 8th, in the afternoon meeting, John Smith made some remarks and a proposition con- cerning the case of Isaac Hill, after which "President Rigdon then arose and very abruptly militated against the sentiment of Uncle John, which had a direct tendency to destroy his influence, and bring him into disrepute in the eyes of the Church, which was not right. He also misrepresented Mr. Hill's case, and spread darkness rather than light upon the subject. "After I returned home," writes Joseph, "I labored with Uncle John, and convinced him that he was wrong; and he made his confession to my satisfaction. I then went and labored with President Rigdon, and succeeded in convincing him also of his error, which he confessed to my satisfaction."