--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1844 to 1845. authors: - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints editors: - Ebenezer Robinson - Don Carlos Smith - Smith, Joseph, Jr. - Taylor, John collections: - periodicals tags: - newspaper - times-and-seasons - nauvoo - nineteenth-century periodical: Times and Seasons volume: 5 number: 19 published: 1844-10-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Conclusion of Elder Rigdon's Trial,” *Times and Seasons* 5, no. 19 (October 15, 1844): 685–687." printed_title: CONCLUSION OF ELDER RIGDON'S TRIAL. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-10-15_5_19 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n19.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair) identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-10-15_5_19 start_page: 685 end_page: 687 curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1844 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-10-15_5_19 publication_year: 1844 --- # Conclusion of Elder Rigdon's Trial Elder W. W. Phelps read from the same revelation which was first read by Elder Marks, he read the same Elder Marks did, and added, "even to the church" which Elder Marks omitted to read. He also referred to the other quotations by Elder Marks, plainly showing that they were not to the point. He read from new edition, page 414. He said Brother Marks apologized for Elder Rigdon, inasmuch as he did not know where to present his revelation, but Elder Marks knew and he could have told Elder Rigdon; it looks a little like "nimble practice." As to the instructions pertaining to the first presidency, they will be explained hereafter. Elder Marks arose to reply to the charge of his having given out the appointment to choose a guardian at Elder Rigdon's request. He said he did not understand the object of the meeting when he gave out the appointment. Elder Hyde stated that a short time before the difficulties, President Joseph Smith in one of their councils, told the Twelve that he had given them all the keys and ordinances which had been committed to him. At this stage of the business their was a call for the question, from many parts of the congregation, whereupon, President Young without further ceremony submitted the case to Bishop Whitney and the High Council. The Bishop gave a privilege to the High Council to offer any remarks they thought proper; but, no one attempting to speak, he said he might give a relation of Elder Rigdon's history for near twenty years past, but I deem it unnecessary. I have had some conversation with Elder Rigdon since he returned from Pittsburgh. I have also been present when others conversed with him; but, I am to decide on the testimony as it has been presented. I was well acquainted with Elder Rigdon a number of years before he came into this church. I never had any confidence in Brother Sidney as a revelator, and why? because I have so repeatedly heard Brother Joseph rebuke him for speaking in the name of the Lord, what was not so. He was always either in the bottom of the cellar or up in the garret window. At the time his license was taken in Kirtland he was more sanguine than he is now. The people were excited very much at that time, Brother Joseph was away, and when he returned and learned what Sidney had been doing, he took him into council, told him to give up his license to the bishop, and divest himself of all the authority he could, for, said he, the less authority you have the better it will be for you. It has been repeatedly the case when he has been speaking to the church that Joseph has rebuked him for it. The bishop then briefly referred to Elder Mark's objection to our fetching testimony beyond the conference, &c., and then continued: I feel that Brother Rigdon came here with a bad spirit, and has delivered a revelation. If such things as are contained in his revalation [revelation], have been revealed to him, it is from a source with which we want nothing to do. When he first came here I thought he was deceived, but since last Tuesday evening, I have been convinced that he is dishonest. He made many evasive replies to the interrogatories of the Twelve, and I think his calculation is to scatter this people, because his theory comes in opposition to President Joseph Smith's revelations. It has been proved that he prophesied that we should not build this Temple, I believe he is an evil designing man. He is dishonest, and he has lied to carry out his theory. He preached one thing one day and the contrary another. He did not reconcile his preaching to me. I asked him to reconcile it, but he did not do it. I feel to sustain the Twelve in withdrawing their fellowship, and I think the High Council and the church ought to sustain the decision of the Twelve. He concluded by calling upon the High Council to manifest if they were satisfied with his decision, and the vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Elder Hyde arose and said he was not satisfied with the motion; it is not explicit enough. Elder W. W. Phelps arose and offered a motion, that Elder Sidney Rigdon be cut off from the church, and delivered over to the buffetings of satan until he repents. Bishop Whitney then presented the motion to the High Council, and the vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Elder W. W. Phelps then offered the same motion to the church, upon which President Young arose and requested the congregation to place themselves so that they could see all who voted. We want to know who goes for Sidney and who are for the Twelve. He then called upon the church to signify whether they was in favor of the motion. The vote was unanimous, excepting a few of Elder Rigdon's party, numbering about ten. He then requested those who were for Sidney Rigdon to manifest it, and as before stated there was about ten. Elder Phelps then motioned, that all who have voted to follow Elder Rigdon should be suspended until they can have a trial before the High Council. An amendment was offered, as follows: "or shall hereafter be found advocating his principles." The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Elder Young arose and delivered Sidney Rigdon over to the buffetings of Satan, in the name of the Lord, and all the people said, amen. Elder Hyde motioned that James Emmett and Zachariah Wilson, and those who go with them, shall be disfellowshipped, until they repent, but at the request of Elder Young the motion was withdrawn. Elder Hyde again rose and stated that Elder Samuel James had promised to preach a funeral sermon at the request of Pres't Young. He came at the time appointed and preached any thing but a funeral sermon, and after he got through he said, if Brigham Young wanted a funeral sermon preached, he might preach it himself. He considered that this was unchristian like conduct, and he moved that Samuel James be disfellowshipped from the church. The vote was unanimous. He further said, whereas Jared Carter has gone on some mission, contrary to council, under the new revelation, I move that fellowship be withdrawn from him, and that it be published in the next Neighbor and Times and Season. The vote was unanimous. Elder Amasa Lyman motioned that Samuel Bennett be cut off from the church, for having received a false ordination. The vote was unanimous. Elder Lyman motioned that Leonard Soby be cut off for the same cause, with Samuel Bennett. The vote was unanimous. It was motioned and seconded, that Joseph H. Newton, be cut off from the church. The vote was unanimous. It was motioned and seconded, that John A. Forgeus be cut off from the church. The vote was unanimous. It was motioned and seconded, that President Marks, express his feelings at the proceedings of this meeting. He arose and said he was willing to be satisfied with the action of the church on the case. Resolved, that these minutes be published in the Neighbor and Times and Seasons. At 4 o'clock P. M. the meeting dismissed with a blessing from Elder W. W. Phelps.