The Life and Labors of Sidney Rigdon, II

THE LIFE AND LABORS OF SIDNEY RIGDON. BY JOHN JAQUES, ASSISTANT CHURCH HISTORIAN.

II.

On Sunday morning, January 3, 1836, "President Sidney Rig- don delivered a fine discourse on revelation." In a council at Kirtland, on the 13th, under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith, several brethren were ordained to the High Priesthood and to be counselors in that stake of Zion. Also Joseph, Sidney, W. W. Phelps, David Whitmer and Hyrum Smith were appointed to draft rules and regulations to govern the house of the Lord, which was done accordingly, and in a council on the 15th the rules were unanimously accepted. President Rigdon, on his request, was administered to for a severe

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^***' ^^ tr ° Ubled ^ m ° St at nigH probably 0l the 1 th J ° Seph Sidney and others attended a council of iwe\ ye, where the T ? ' ' ti, some unpleasantness caused by harsh expressions was mollified, and the brethren covenanted to be more regardful of each other's feelings, Joseph stating that he did not countenance harsh language, neither in himself nor any other man. The next day, Sunday, an excellent meeting was held, the brethren confessing their faults to each other. At meetings on the 21st and 22nd, at which the Presidency and others were present, the ordinance of anointing with oil and of blessing was attended to, many glorious visions were beheld, and the ministration of angels was enjoyed. On the 28th and 30th

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of The Church met and were the several quorums of the authorities set in order. The holy anointing was further attended to and more meeting was held on the 1st angelic visions were beheld. A similar of February. President Rigdon delivered The next day, in the school house, the scattering and gathering of an animated discourse, chiefly on Israel and "the Spirit bore record that the Lord was well pleased. of other meetings and councils During the same month a number seen by some of the brethren. were held at which more visions were Sidney, and other brethren were en- About this time, Joseph, teaching of Professor Seixas. gaged in learning Hebrew, under the was very sick, but after On the 25th, President Rigdon's wife and other brethren she began to being administered to by Joseph recover. . >

and several quorums met On the 3rd of March, the Presidency concerning licenses, at which time to consider certain resolutions privileges, is my motto; and one Joseph said, "Equal rights and as well; and that all men man is as good as another, if he behaves regard to distinctions of an official should be esteemed alike, without of conference to sign nature." Joseph was nominated as chairman and Sidney as chairman pro tern. licenses Twelve decided that they move On'tne 13th, the Presidency and the way was to Zion (Western Missonri) on or before May 15th, if

° Pen fnneral of CttT8th" dney preached a fine discourse at the SUSan S at the dedi- in solemn assembly, On°the lrnin g of the 27th, Rigdon opened and dosed Temple, President cation of theTirtland among other two and a half hours hv oraver and also preached and d.vers.ty of parties conflicting sects and things lowing that obtam when and ever would reSutsentiment ever had obtained

offering the first prayer, an angel entered the window, took£ fat betwen Father Smith Sre during the prayer. Tnsenh said the temple and President Williams,

«^ and remamed

Many glorious vision, were was filled with angels. He ottered tne aeo rested upon the a pillar of fire, clry p-yer. A bright light, like

220 IMPROVEMENT ERA. temple, and the people in the neighborhood "were astonished at what was transpiring." On the 29th, Joseph, F. G. Williams, Sidney, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery met in the most holy place in the Lord's house, and sought for revelation concerning going west. During the meeting, Sidney washed the feet of Joseph Smith, Jr., and his father, also of Hyrum Smith. Joseph washed Sidney's feet, and Hyrum washed David Whitmer's and Oliver Cowdery's. The feet of many other brethren were washed also, on that day and the next. On the 31st, the temple services were repeated. In a Council meeting, April 2, Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Wil- liams were appointed a committe to devise means to discharge the debts of the printing company. On May 27th, Joseph Smith's grand mother, Mary Smith, died. Sidney Rigdon delivered the address at her funeral. Presidents F. G. Williams and Sidney Rigdon, June 16, pre- sided in a High Council meeting at the trial of Preserved Harris and Isaac Mc Withy. On the 25th of July, Joseph, Sidney, Oliver Cowdery, F. G. Williams and Hyrum Smith wrote to W. W. Phelps and others, in Missouri, advising them not to be the first aggressors, but to' be wise and prudent, to preserve peace with all, and to stand by the constitution. Also one to John Thornton and others, of Liberty, Clay County, concerning the Missouri troubles. The same afternoon, Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery left Kirtland and in the evening took steamer at Fairport, arriving at Buffalo, N. Y., next evening. Thence they took a line boat for Utica, arriving there on the morning of the 29th, then took rail for Schenectady, on the first passenger car on the new road, being six hours traveling eighty miles, and by rail also to Albany, arriving the same evening. There, next day, they went on the steamer Erie, which had a race with the steamer Rochester, the Erie arriving at New York a few hours ahead. Thence by steamer to Providence, and from there to Boston by rail, arriving at Salem, Mass., early in August. There they hired a house and engaged in preaching and teaching, returning to Kirtland in September. A conference in the house of the Lord, December 22, was attended by the First Presidency and other authorities of The

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Church. The subject of the emigration of the poor to Zion, and their settlement there, from the churches abroad, was considered and motions were passed accordingly. On the 2nd of January, 1837, Sidney Rigdon was chairman at Safety Society," when the old a special meeting of the "Kirtland constitution, adopted November 2, 1836, was annulled and a "pre- adopted of the "Kirtland amble and articles of agreement" were Safety Society Anti-Banking Company." meetings were held by During the winter, many well attended of the Lord. The Kirtland the different quorums in the house story. high school was taught in the attic " Cowdery & Co., was On the 1st of February, the firm of 0. was transdissolved by mutual consent, and the entire establishment ferred to Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, Warren 0. Cowdery officeand book-bindery and as editor to act as agent in the printing of the Messenger and Advocate. §

and anointings, having Preparatory meetings, with washings solemn assembly of official membeen had on April 3, 4, and 5, a the Lord's house, Kirtland, at which bers of The Church was held in Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Presidents Joseph and Hyrum Cowdery addressed the assembly. were In May, the Messenger and Advocate office and contents Presidents Smith and transferred to Wm. Marks, of Portage. power of attorney Rigdon continued the office by of speculation crept into the quorums. About this time a spirit Heber the First Presidency set apart On or about the 1st of June, and on the a mission to England, C Kimball and Orson Hyde to SfSnWft and t0 Sidney Rigd0B S6t ^ WUla

and T. B. "t°Presidents Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon Pains- but Joseph was stopped at Marsh left Kirtland for Canada, Next day all returned to Kirtland. ^e by malicious lawsuits, so for Buffalo, Ashtabula, thence by steamer Ihev started again for to Kirt- S^TToronto, and returning the last of August

land Joseph Smith Kirtland, September 3, At a conference held at was presented as president and Sidney Rigdon an F. £Will.m Presidents constitute the First as his counselors, the three to

222 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The Church. F. G. Williams was not sustained. Other officers were presented and sustained. On the 10th, in an assembly in the Lord's house, Kirtland, President Rigdon read the rules and regulations of the house of the Lord, as passed January 18, 1836, which were received. Some misunderstandings and incorrect reports were corrected. September 17, at a conference in the house of the Lord, Kirtland, it was voted that Joseph and Sidney "go and appoint other stakes, or places of gathering." On the 27th, Joseph and Sidney accompanied by William Smith and Vinson Knight, started on that mission, arriving at Terre Haute, Indiana, October 12, and at Far West, Missouri, in the latter part of October, or early in November, and attending a meeting in that place on November 6. Next day at a general assembly or conference, President Rigdon introduced the business. Joseph Smith was accepted as president, and Sidney Rigdon as one of his counselors. F. G. Williams was objected to and rejected, and Hyrum Smith was chosen as counselor in place of Williams. President Rigdon and congregation called on the Lord to dedicate the land for the gathering of the Saints and for their inheritances. President Rigdon attended a general meeting at Far West on the 10th, when the subjects of laying off cities, consecrating for public purposes, and the prospectus of the Elders' Journal, were considered. It was also voted that the city of Far West be enlarged to contain four square sections, or two miles square. In November, Joseph left Far West for Kirtland, arriving there on or about December 10. Sidney was probably with him. "On the 22nd of December," says Joseph, "Brigham Young left Kirtland in consequence of the fury of the mob, the spirit that prevailed in the apostates who had threatened to destroy him, because he would proclaim publicly and privately that he knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that I was a prophet of the Most High God, that I had not transgressed and fallen as the apostates declared. "Apostacy, persecution, confusion and mobocracy strove hard to bear rule at Kirtland, and thus closed the year 1837." Joseph continues: "A new year dawned upon the Church in Kirtland in all the bitterness of the spirit of apostate mobocracy; which continued to rage and grow hotter and hotter, until Elder

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Rigdon and myself were obliged to flee from its deadly influence, as did the apostles and prophets of old, and as Jesus said, 'when they persecute you in one city, flee to another.' And on the evening of the 12th of January, about 10 o'clock, we left Kirtland on horseback, to escape mob violence, which was about to burst upon us under the color of legal process to cover their hellish designs, and save themselves from the just judgment of the law. We concontinued our travels during the night, and at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, arrived among the brethren in Norton township, Medina county, Ohio, a distance of sixty miles from Kirtland, where we tarried about thirty-six hours, when our families arrived, and on the 16th pursued our journey with our families, in covered wagons, toward the city of Far West, in Missouri, passing through Dayton, Eaton, etc., to Dublin, Indiana, where we tarried nine days and refreshed ourselves. . "The weather was extremely cold, and we were obliged to secret ourselves in our wagons, sometimes to elude the grasp of our pursuers, who continued their race more than two hundred miles from Kirtland, armed with pistols, etc., seeking our lives. They frequently crossed our track, twice they were in the houses where we stopped,once we tarried all night in the same house with therewith oaths and impreonly a partition between us and them; and heard their concerning us, if they could catch us; and late in cations and threats but decided we the evening they came in our room and examined us, were not the men. At other times we passed them in the streets,

gazed upon them, and they on us, but they knew us not. One and Lyons was one of our pursuers." At Dublin, Indiana, Joseph and Sidney separated, meeting again at Terre Haute. After resting, they again separated, and continued their journey. and Joseph crossed the Mississippi river at Quincy, Illinois, met a hundred and twenty arrived at Far West, March 14, being miles on the way by brethren with teams and money and received and great hospitality. at Far West with open arms, warm hearts, sickness in his family, Sidney was detained near Paris, Illinois, by wife's health. Brig- and afterwards at Huntsville, through his ill

ham Young, Daniel S. Miles., and Levi Richards arrived with Joseph there April having at Far West; Sidney and family reached 4,

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had a tedious journey,and his family having suffered many afflictions." Joseph and Sidney presided at a meeting in Far West, April 6, "to celebrate the anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints," etc. Various officers were appointed. On the 7th and 8th of April the general authorities of The Church held the first quarterly conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Far West, which was attended by Presidents Smith and Rigdon. Early in April, Joseph and Sidney wrote a letter to John Whitmer in consequence of his withholding the records of The Church in the city of Far West, asking him to give up his notes of Church history. A revelation was given, April 26, through Joseph to the First Presidency and all the officers and members of The Church* concerning Zion and the building of a house of the Lord at Far West, and directing the First Presidency not to get into debt any more for the building of a house to His name, also concerning the appointing and building up of other stakes around there. On the 28th, Presidents Smith and Rigdon attended the High Council by invitation, and acted as counselors in an appeal case from the branch near Gymon's mill. For several days the first Presidency were largely engaged in writing Church history, and on May 5th, in writing for the Elders' Journal. On the 10th, President Rigdon, although suffering from a severe cold and hoarseness, delivered an address at the school house, elucidating the policy of both the Federal and Democratic parties, by which address Joseph said, "I was highly edified." On the 12th, Presidents Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon attended a meeting of the High Council, concerning their pecuniary affairs, they being very poor. The Council made over to Joseph and Sidney each an eighty-acre lot, and also appointed a committee Of three, who agreed that Joseph and Sidney should receive a just remuneration for their services for the year in the printing estab. lishment, and in translating ancient records, etc. On the 13th, Sidney preached the funeral sermon of Swain Williams, son of F. G. Williams, and on the next day was preparing and correcting matter for the press.

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On the 18th, Joseph, Sidney and others left Far West to visit the north country and lay off a stake of Zion, making locations and laying off claims for the gathering of the Saints, the benefit of the poor, etc. They traveled to the mouth of Honey Creek, camping there for the night. On the 19th, they crossed Grand River, at the mouth of Honey Creek and Nelson's Ferry, then went eighteen miles up Grand River to Lyman Wight's, at the foot of Tower Hill, so named by Joseph because they found there the remains of an old Nephite altar or tower. There they camped. Then Joseph and Sidney went up the river to Wight's. Ferry, which the brethren called Spring Hill, but, said Joseph, "by the mouth of the Lord it was named Adam-ondiahman, because," said he, "it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of days shall sit, as spoken of by

Daniel the prophet." On the evening of Sunday, 20th, they went six miles north and camped. On the 21st, they made some locations, and returned to Robinson's Grove, two miles, to secure some land near Grand River. In council they voted to secure the land between there and Far West, especially on Grand River. On the 22nd, President Rigdon went east with a company and selected some of the best locations in the country. Next day all traveled east locating lands on Grove Creek and near Adam-ondiahman. Joseph and Sidney went to Col. Wight's toward evening. On the 24th, Sidney and company went to Grove Creek to finish surveying, returning on the 28th to Far West. The company for kept surveying, making locations, also building houses, etc.,

several days. A conference was held near Lyman Wight's, Adam-ondi-ahman, 28th, and that stake was organized, with John Smith as on the president, and Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight as counselors. north Adam-ondi-ahman is beautifully situated, immediately on the about twenty-five side of Grand River, Daviess County, Missouri, miles north of Far West. celebration, On the 4th of July, at Far West, there was a fine The corner stones of the temple were with a grand procession. by laid, much rejoicing, after which an oration was delivered with President Rigdon.

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On the 9th, at a conference of the Twelve Apostles, at Far West, President Rigdon gave some counsel concerning provision necessary to be made for the families of the Twelve while laboring away, and advising them to instruct their converts to move promptly to the places of gathering, and strictly attend to the law of God. On the 10th, Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum, and G. W. Robinson visited Adam-ondi-ahman. In the latter part of this month, Judge Morin, of Mill Port, informed some brethren that the mob had determined to prevent the "Mormons" from voting at the election on August 6, and thereby elect Colonel William P. Peniston, who led the mob in Clay County. Judge Morin advised the brethren to go prepared for an attack, and stand by their rights. But the brethren hoped better things and paid little heed to his friendly counsel. On the 26th, the First Presidency, the bishop's court and others held a meeting at Far West, when various financial matters were considered and arranged. Joseph and Sidney left Far West on the 28th for Adam-ondiahman to settle some Canadian brethren, returning on the 30th. On the 5th of August, Elder Erastus Snow and President Rigdon preached. Several were confirmed, among them F. G. Williams, he having been rebaptized. On the 6th, the citizens of Caldwell County, assembled at Far West, unanimously recommended Sidney Rigdon for postmaster of that place, W. W. Phelps having resigned. The citizens of Far West met and unanimously agreed to have a weekly newspaper, Sidney Rigdon to be the editor. It was also

voted that a petition be circulated to locate the county seat at Far West. Joseph, Sidney and Hyrum advocated the measure and urged on the brethren to build and live in cities and carry on their farms outside, according to the order of God. This was the day of election. Toward mid-day, William B. Peniston mounted a barrel, harangued the electors, exciting them against the "Mormons," who, he said, were horse-thieves, liars,

counterfeits, etc., boasting that he headed the mob to drive them out of Clay County and "would not prevent them being mobbed now." Soon quarreling, fighting and mobbing commenced. The county authorities said it was a premeditated thing to prevent the

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"Mormons" from voting. The mob collected with guns, knives, etc. The brethren of Far West hid their wives and children in a hazel bush thicket, and stood sentry over them during the night in the rain.

On the 7th, reports came that two or three of the brethren had been killed at Gallatin, and others prevented from voting, and that a majarity of the Daviess County people were determined to drive the Saints from the county. Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum Smith and fifteen or twenty others started for Gallatin, to assist the brethren there, reaching Colonel Wight's that night, and learned that none of the brethren had been killed, but several were badly wounded. On the 8th, several citizens of Mill Port called, and it was agreed to have a meeting next day with some of the principal men of the county at Adam-ondi-ahman, at which a peaceable agreement was come to between the two parties. Joseph and his companions returned to Far West that night, 9th. On the morning of the 11th, Joseph and council and Almon W. Babbit left Far West to visit the brethren on the Forks of Grand River, who had come from Canada with Elder Babbit and had settled there, contrary to counsel. Joseph and council returned to Far West on the 13th, and were chased ten or twelve miles by evidesigning men, but eluded their grasp. When eight miles from home, Joseph and council were met by some brethren who said a writ had been issued by Judge King for his arrest and that of Lyman Wight, for attempting to defend their rights. The spirit of mobocracy continued to stalk abroad, notwithstanding all treaties of peace. On the 1st of September, the First Presidency, with Judge Higbee as surveyor, went north fourteen or fifteen miles, and appointed a place for a city, and the brethren were instructed to gather immediately into it. The presidency returned to Far West by evening. There was great excitement at this time among the Missourians. All of upper Missouri was in uproar and confusion. The mob

was collecting all around, saying they meant to drive the "Mormons" from Daviess County, as had been done from Jackson County. On the 2nd, Joseph sent for General Atichison, of Liberty,

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Clay County, to see if he could not put a stop to the collection of people and to hostilities in Daviess County. The General arrived at Far West the next day. On the 4th, General Atchison was consulted with, who said he would do all in his power to disperse the mob. Generals Atchison and Doniphan (partners) were engaged as lawyers and counselors-at-law, to defend the brethren. The same day Joseph and Sidney commenced the study of law under the instruction of Generals Atchison and Doniphan. The result of the council with Generals Atchison and Doniphan was that Joseph and Colonel Wight volunteer to be tried by Judge King. Accordingly on the 7th, the commenced, William P. trial

Peniston, the mobocrat being the prosecutor. The result, although there was no proof of crime, was that Joseph and Colonel Wight were held in five-hundred-dollar bonds. On the 2nd of October, Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum, Isaac Morley, and G. W. Robinson met the camp of emigrants about five hundred miles from Kirtland — about eight hundred and eighty-six miles the — way they traveled and escorted them into Far West. President Rigdon provided supper for the sick. Other brethren provided for the rest. On the 3rd, Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum, and Brigham Young went with the emigrants a mile or two and then returned to Far West. On the 24th, Thomas B. Marsh, formerly President of the Twelve, having apostatized since the conference, went to Richmond, and made affidavit before Henry Jacobs, justice of the peace, to vile calumnies, lies and slanders against Joseph and the Church. On the 31st, Colonel Hinkle, commanding the Caldwell Militia, Far West, made an unauthorized agreement with the State Militia, or rather mob leaders, to give up the Church leaders to be tried and punished. Colonel Hinkle and the officers of the governor's troops then waited upon Joseph Smith, and invited him to go into the camp for an interview; accordingly Joseph, hoping to settle the difficulties without the enforcing of Governor Boggs' exterminating order, accompanied by Sidney, P. P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson, went into the camp, when they were taken as prisoners of war, and treated with contempt, insult, taunts and sneers, and in the evening had to lie on the cold ground.

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On the first of November, Hyrum Smith and Amasa Lyman were brought prisoners into camp, a court martial was held, and the prisoners were sentenced to be shot the next morning on the public square as an ensample to the "Mormons." General Doniphan said he would have nothing to do with such cold-blooded murder, and he would withdraw his forces. General Atchison withdrew when Governor Bog^s exterminating order was received. The militia then went into Far West, abused the inhabitants, and plundered their houses at pleasure. Eighty more men were taken prisoners, the remainder being ordered to leave and disperse on pain of death. On the 2nd, the martial law sentence not having been carried out, Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum, P. P. Pratt, Amasa Lyman, and George W. Robinson were taken from Far West, by the governor's troops, on the way to Independence, arriving there on Sunday, 4th. On the 6th, fifty-six more brethren were also made prisoners by General Clark at Far West, and started off for Richmond next day. On the 8th, Joseph, Sidney and the prisoners at Independence were started off for Richmond, arriving there on the 9th, where they were hand-cuffed and chained two together. While there in charge of Colonel Price, all manner of abuse was heaped upon them. On the 13th, Joseph, Sidney, and a number of others were placed at the bar of the court, Austin A. King, a Methodist, presiding as judge, The examination continued till Saturday, 24th, when several were acquitted. The remaining prisoners were released or bailed on the 18th. except Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Hyrum Smith, and Alexander McRae, who were held on the charge of treason and murder. Also P. P. Pratt and some others were sent to Richmond jail on similar charges. Those who were to go to Liberty jail were taken there about the end of the month, where they were closely confined and all personal communication with friends was cut off. About this time, W. G. McClellan, Burr Riggs, and others, plundered the houses of Sidney Rigdon and other brethren under pretense or color of law, or order from General Clark. Said Joseph: "Thus, in a land of liberty, in the town of Liberty, dungeons Clay County, Missouri, I and my fellow prisoners, in chains, and jail, saw the close of 1838."