ATHANASIUS KIRCHER>JOHN SMITH>SOLOMON SPALDING>SIDNEY RIGDON>JOSEPH SMITH, JR.
SOURCES OF THE BOOK OF MORMON AND FOUNDERS OF MORMONISM
>Athanasius
Kircher, a Jesuit Priest, authored more than 40 books between 1630 and
1680 while employed by the Vatican as a linguist. However, he
fabricated his source for deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Kircher called his fabricated source "the lost manuscripts of Rabbi
Barachias Nephi." How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 1.
>Athanasius Kircher invented an "intermediate" Egyptian alphabet
with "reformed" charaters somewhere between ancient Egyptian and Coptic
languages. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 6.
>Athanasius
Kircher established a museum in Rome that showcased his favorite
devices, sometimes presenting them as if they were spiritually magnetic
compasses. Nephi's use of a spiritually magnetic compass in The Book of
Mormon is a major plot-driving element. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 13.
>Athanasius Kircher commissioned over four hundred "golden plates" for his wealthy patrons. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 26.
>Hugh
Nibley, a linguistics professor at BYU began aquiring Kircher books in
the 1970s through BYU's Special Collections team. A. Dean Larsen, while
serving as Director of Collection Development, continued purchasing multiple
copies of Kircher's books and sealed them from public observation. This
seal was lifted upon personal request by Lars Nielsen in 2022. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, pages 82, 86.
>One of Kircher's foreign contemporaries was French Jesuit Pierre de
Montmaur who was a linguist and professor. After teaching Greek for
twenty years, he was caught fabricating his sources and defrocked by
the Jesuits. A widely publicized satire of Montmaur's life was written
in the summer of 1650, which was given the title "Le Parasite Mormon:
Histoire Comique" (Mormon the Parasite: A Comic History). The Book Collector, United Kingdom, Vol 39, No 2, 1990, page 263. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, pages 46, 48.
>In 2018, Russell M. Nelson the
17th president of the Mormon church, declared that using the word
"Mormon" as a nickname was a major victory for Satan. Such reversals in
the Mormon church have become quite characteristic of late. The Salt Lake Tribune, October 8, 2018. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, pages 229-230.
>In 1776, John Smith received his
Master of Arts in theology. The next year he became the first professor
of Dartmouth College living on campus and took the title "Professor of
Oriental Languages" which is the same title that Kircher was known at
Collegio Romano. Eulogium
on the Rev. John Smith, D.D., page 9. The First Professor in Dartmouth
College, page 171. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, pages 104-105.
>Professor Smith's lectures contain
themes, memes, and scriptures (particularly from Isaiah) that appear
prominently in The Book of Mormon. Although Professor Smith rightly
concluded that most ancient Native peoples were not Christian or Muslim
in any way, he, like Kircher, did try to connect them to the post-Flood
lineages of the Old Testament. And he posited that multiple,
independent migrations over land and sea were likely. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 110.
>Rev. Dr. Smith wrote a work on
this subject, which after completion, he decided not to publish,
fearing that it might injure his reputation as a theological writer.
This book was an elaboration of the theory Dr. Smith had so long
maintained. Taking as its foundation the migration of the lost tribes
of Israel to the western continent. Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 24, 1887. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, pages 112-113.
>Dartmouth College libraries included Kircher's Oedipus Aegypiacus prior to 1850. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 140.
>The
death notice for Sidney Rigdon's wife on February 27, 1886 declared
that Sidney was the author of John Smith's Mormon bible. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 143.
>Solomon Spalding entered Dartmouth College in 1782 and sped through
the first year's general examinations almost as fast as Professor
Smith. He received his Bachelor of Arts a little ahead of schedule,
graduating in 1785, but stayed on for a master's degree through the
summer of 1787. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 146.
>Solomon
Spalding became a licensed minister for the Windham Congregational
Association on October 9, 1787. By 1794, he had a crisis of conscience
with organized religion and became an atheist. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 147.
>In 1809 the college experienced an immense loss in the death of Dr.
Smith. He had devoted his life chiefly to the study of languages. No
other professor in any college of the continent had so long sustained
the office of instructor. Memoirs of the Reverend Eleazar Wheelock, D.D., pages 145-146. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 114.
>Solomon Spalding was a failure at
being a clergyman, headmaster, land speculator, merchant, and running a
bog-iron forge. In 1809, he suffered a ruptured spine causing him to
stoop for the rest of his life. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 151.
>Beginning
during the winter of 1809-1810, Solomon Spalding began writing. As
early as 1810, according to his neighbors, scores would gather at the
town square to hear him recite portions of his manuscript. The Daily Evening Reporter, January 7, 1881. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 152.
>Solomon Spalding was writing "Manuscript Story - Conneaut Creet" in
1811 but never finished. Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 81-83, 86, 89.
>John Pinkerton published "The
Curious and Remarkable Voyages and Travels of Marco Polo" and "Voyages
and Travels in Asia" in 1811. Book of Mormon, Book of Lies, pages 100; 551. Copy of title pages.
>Solomon Spalding wrote "The Frogs of Wyndham" for his daughter Matilda.
Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, page 86.
>Robert Kerr published "Travels of Verthema" and "Conquest of Mexico" in 1811. "Voyages and Travels" was published in 1812. Book of Mormon, Book of Lies, page 103. Plagiarizing sequence diagrams on pages 422-423.
>Solomon Spalding begins and finishes "Manuscript Found" in 1812 with
King James language.
Abner
Jackson letter to Historical Society, December 20, 1880; The Mormon
Bible, Missouri Republican, May 29, 1885; Who Really Wrote The Book of
Mormon?, pg 27, 81.
>Plot and characters of "Manuscript Found" are identical to the Book of
Mormon.
The Origin of the
Book of Mormon, Sewickley Herald, November 23, 1912; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, page 27.
Book of Mormon, Book of Lies, plagiarizing sequence diagrams on pages 422-423.
>The phrase "And it came to pass" numerously
occurs in both "Manuscript
Found" and the 1830 BOM.
Abner Jackson
letter to Historical Society, December 20, 1880; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, page 27.
>The "Manuscript Found" was left in Pittsburgh at the printing office of
Patterson and Lambdin in 1813.
Mormonism
Unveiled, page 288; Matilda Davison Statement, March 1, 1839; Who Really
Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 106-109, 124-127, 176.
How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 152.
>In 1814, Solomon Spalding
relocated to Amity, Pennsylvania where he decided to put all his
remaining energy into finishing his manuscripts. Sometime near the end
of 1815 or the beginning of 1816, Spalding touched up the final drafts
of his stories including The Romance of Celes. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 153.
>Sidney Rigdon received mail in Pittsburgh at the same time as Solomon Spaulding.
The
Commonwealth - July 9, 1816; Rebecca Johnston Eichbaum statement,
September 18, 1879; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 119,
134-137, 176.
>Solomon Spalding knew of Sidney Rigdon while in Pittsburgh.
Josiah
Spaulding letter, January 6, 1855; Redick McKee letter, April 15, 1879;
Redick McKee letter, January 25, 1886; The Spaulding Memorial, 1879,
pages 237-239; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 121-122, 126,
175, 197.
>Solomon Spalding suspected that Sidney Rigdon stole his
"Manuscript Found" before he died.
Pittsburgh Telegraph, February 6, 1879; Joseph Miller letter, January 20, 1882;
New Light on Mormonism, pgs 240-241; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 124-125, 176, 197.
>Solomon Spalding died on October 20, 1816 having never recovered "Manuscript Found". How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 154.
>Sidney Rigdon loved books and reading from an early age. Dialogue:
A Journal of Mormon Thought 1 (Winter 1966), page 20; Moore’s Rural New
Yorker 1869, page 61; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page
5; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 99, 119, 175.
>Sidney Rigdon grew up outside of Pittsburgh and obtained books from the
growing town. Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 119, 175.
>Sidney Rigdon faked his Christian conversion in 1817. Early Days of Mormonism 1888, page 64; Early History of the disciples
in the Western Reserve 1875, pages 191-192; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, page 8; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, pages 100,
172.
>Rigdon converted to the baptismal regeneration heresy in 1820. Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 18, 29, 39; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon?, page 101.
>Boarders at Rigdon's home remember seeing Spalding's book in the 1820s. Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?, page 177.
>Joseph Smith found his peep stone that was used to con people about buried treasure. Mormonism Unveiled, pages 240-248; The Early Days of Mormonism,
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature, August 1880; Who Really
Wrote the Book of Mormon?, pages 182, 188-189, 200.
>Alexander Campbell taught Rigdon to secretly bring in heresies. The Millennial Harbinger 1848, page 523; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 23, 30.
>Sidney Rigdon was pastor of the Pittsburgh Baptist Church in 1822. Sidney Rigdon, The Real Founder of Mormonism 1885, pages 140-141;
Times and Seasons May 4, 1843, page 177; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 27-28.
>Rigdon had to support a family and was poor while in Pittsburgh. Times and Seasons May 1, 1843, pages 177-178; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 28-29, 34-35.
>Sidney Rigdon joined Joseph Smith in search for buried treasure.
Mormonism - Religious Fanaticism - Church and State Party, New York Morning
Courier and Enquirer, August 31, 1831; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?, page 201.
>Sidney Rigdon used Joseph Smith's buried treasure story and invented the BOM
golden plates story.
Mormon Religion - Clerical Ambition, Morning Courier and Enquirer, September 1,
1831; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?, pages 201-203.
>Sidney Rigdon rejected Christian creeds in 1824. A Debate on Christian Baptism Between The Rev. W. L. MacCalla, A
Presbyterian Teacher, and Alexander Campbell, Held at Washington, Ky.
Commencing on the 15th and Terminating on the 21st Oct. 1823; Sidney
Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 33, 39; Who Really Wrote The
Book of Mormon, page 101.
>Sidney Rigdon was status conscious through out his life. Sidney Rigdon, The Real Founder of Mormonism 1885, page 145; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 35.
>Sidney Rigdon began a restoration movement in 1825 Ohio. Times and Seasons May 15, 1843, page 194; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 40-41.
>Sidney Rigdon was continually seeking attention for himself. Times and Seasons May 15, 1843, page 193; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 42-43.
>Sidney Rigdon loved establishing new doctrines in Ohio. A History of the Disciples in Christ in Ohio, pages 123-124; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 46.
>Parley Pratt was a Rigdon disciple and confidant before becoming a Mormon.
The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, page 32; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, page 46. How The Book of Mormon Came to
Pass, pages 251-253.
>Parley Pratt introduced Sidney Rigdon to Joseph Smith in 1826. Mormonism-Religious Fanaticism-Church and State Party, New York Morning Courier and Enquirer, August 15, 1831. How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass, pages 273-274.
>The Smith family were active Presbyterians until September 1828. The Question of the Palmyra Revival, pages 59-82; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?, page 180.
>Rigdon advocated communal living and rejected private property. Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 50-51.
>Despite being poor, Rigdon turned down a paying position in 1830. Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 52.
>Rigdon disciples were weak minded who needed an authority figure. Edward Partridge Papers, May 26, 1839; The Autobiography of Parley
Parker Pratt, page 32; Eliza R. Snow: An Immortal, page 5; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, page 53.
>Early Mormon converts were mostly Sidney Rigdon disciples. Millennial Star November 19, 1864, page 744; Eliza R. Snow: An Immortal,
page 6; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 55.
>Rigdon knew about the BOM at least two years before publication. Millennial Harbinger 1844, page 39; Sidney Rigdon, The Real Founder of
Mormonism 1885, page 103; The Story of the Mormons 1923, pages 65-66;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 55-56.
>The first 116 lost pages of the BOM were never retranslated by Joseph Smith. History of the Church, 1:21-22; No Man Knows My History, page 54; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?, page 188.
>Rigdon wrote the baptismal regeneration heresy into the BOM. 2 Ne 9:23-24; 2 Ne 31:5-17; Mosiah 18:10-17; Mosiah 26:4-22; Alma 5:62;
Alma 7:14; Alma 9:27; Alma 49:30; Hel 3:24; Hel 5:17-19; 3 Ne 7:24-26;
3 Ne 9:20; 3 Ne 11:33-38; 3 Ne 12:1-2; 3 Ne 23:5; 3 Ne 27:16; 3 Ne
27:20; 3 Ne 30:2; Morm 3:2; Morm 7:8-10; Moro 6:1-4; Moro 7:34; Moro
8:4-25; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon, page 101.
>Joseph Smith was not savvy in keeping the BOM secret. Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism 1867, pages 280-284; Rochester
Advertiser and Telegraph August 31, 1829; History of the Church, 1:315;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 56-57.
>Joseph Smith's "first vision" story of 1832 contradicted the established church 1838 story version. The Manuscript History of the Church; The Early Accounts of Joseph
Smith's First Vision, BYU Studies, Spring 1969; Mormonism, Freedonia
Censor, March 7, 1832; Inventing Mormonism, pages 4, 17-18; Who Really
Wrote the Book of Mormon?, pages 178-180.
>Sidney Rigdon’s sudden conversion to Mormonism was faked. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 1966, page 20; Deseret Evening News
April 21, 1879; Times and Seasons August 15, 1843, page 289; History of
the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4:452-453;
Mormonism Unveiled, page 102; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious
Excess, pages 58-59.
>Sidney Rigdon immediately allowed Mormonism to be preached to his congregation. Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints 1839, page 7;
Times and Seasons August 15, 1843, pages 289-290; Moore’s Rural New
Yorker January 23, 1869, page 61, Mormonism Unveiled 1838, page 41; Sidney
Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 59-60.
>Sidney Rigdon used deceptive false visions to advance the BOM. Mormonism Unveiled 1838, page 217; Times and Seasons August 15, 1843, page
290; Stephen Post Collection; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious
Excess, pages 60-61.
>Sidney Rigdon immediately began preaching Mormonism after conversion and baptism.
Early Days of Mormonism 1888, page 81; Mormonism Unveiled 1838, page
41; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 62-63.
>Sidney Rigdon was convinced about the success of Mormonism. Post Collection, July 1 1868 Revelation; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 63.
>Rigdon used Smith to pronounce the baptismal regeneration heresy. D&C 13:1; 18:22; 18:41-42; 19:31; 20:25; 20:41; 33:11; 39:6; 39:10;
49:13; 55:1-2; 68:27; 84:27; 84:64; 84:74; 107:20; 112:29; 124:29;
127:5-6, 10; 128; 137:6.
>Sidney Rigdon began a Bible revision through revelation. An Early Latter Day Saint History 1980, page 31; Teachings of the Prophet
Smith 1938, pages 9, 327; Brigham Young University Studies 1971, page 406;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 72-73.
>Rigdon and Smith who both
distained work and encouraged a western migration to prosperous Ohio
via a false deceptive prophecy.
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, page 214;
D&C 37; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 74.
>Rigdon and Smith used doom and gloom prophecies to hasten the migration to Ohio.
An Early Latter Day History, pgs 31-32; Palmyra Reflector February 1,
1831; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pg 75.
>Not succeeding in persuading the prosperous farmers to move to Ohio, Rigdon and Smith commanded them to move. D&C 38; An Early Latter Day History, pages 32-35; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 75-76.
>Rigdon pronounced that New York would be destroyed by God. Palmyra Reflector January 26, 1831; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 76-77.
>Rigdon through Smith solidified their financial well-being through deceptive prophetic pronouncements. D&C 41; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 79, 82.
>Rigdon rigorously defended his BOM and Joseph Smith as prophet. Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record 1994, pages
63-87; Mormonism Unveiled 1834, pages 112-114; Journal History January
15, 1831; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 79-80.
>Against knowledgeable people, Rigdon refused to defend the BOM and Joseph Smith as prophet. Painesville Telegraph February 15, 1831; Millennial Harbinger 1831, pages
100-101; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 80-81.
>Rigdon and Smith put themselves in charge of church money through deceptive prophecies. Book of Commandments 40, pages 82-83; D&C 38:26-27; D&C 49:20;
D&C 42:39; History of the Church, 1:146-147; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 84-86.
>Rigdon through Smith pronounced
communal living and rejected private property via false deceptive
prophecies with Mormon leaders getting extra benefits. Newel K. Whitney Papers; D&C 70:3-18; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 86.
>Rigdon resorted to personal slander when cornered by Alexander Campbell. Mormonism Unveiled, pages 209-210; Millennial Harbinger 1831, page 332; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 96.
>Sidney Rigdon introduced the priesthood offices per David Whitmer. An Address to All Believers in Christ 1887, pages 35, 64; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 98.
>The Missouri "New Jerusalem" began to backfire for Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith in 1831.
History of the Church 1:189; Mormonism Unveiled 1834, pages 176-177,
202; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 99.
>Sidney Rigdon nevertheless proceeded to consecrate and dedicate the land for the Missouri temple. Book of Commandments 59:63; Mormonism Unveiled 1834, page 198; An Early
Latter Day Saint History 1980, page 79; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, page 100.
>Sidney Rigdon quickly returned to prosperous Ohio from Missouri in 1831. Book of Commandments 61:1; Mormonism Unveiled 1834, pages 198-199; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 101.
>Smith turned on Rigdon and forced him to write a non-prophetic real estate brochure about Missouri. D&C 63:55-57; D&C 58:51; An Early Latter Day Saint History
1980, pages 81-83; The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints 1967, 1:205-209; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 102-104.
>Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith preferred Kirtland over Missouri. History of the Church, 1:189; D&C 64:21; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 105.
>Rigdon resorted to religious shifts when faced with difficulties in 1831. Mormonism Unvailed 1834, page 177; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 109.
>Rigdon resorted to slander when cornered by Ezra Booth. Special Collections, BYU – box 3, folder 3; Messenger and Advocate
1836, page 242; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 111.
>Mormons preaching in Solomon Spaulding's former home town caused
excitement in 1832.
Journal of Orson Hyde, BYU Special Collections; Letter of Judge
Aron Wright, December 31, 1833; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon, page 33.
The Daily Evening Reporter, January 7, 1881. How the Book of Mormon Came to Pass, page 180.
>Rigdon told Smith details of the 1832 Three Degrees of Glory Vision.
D&C 76; The Juvenile Instructor – May 15, 1882, pages 303-304;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 112-113.
>Rigdon continued to use revelation for financial gain in 1832 Ohio. Duty of Bishops 1832 – Special Collections, BYU; Kirtland Revelation
Book, pages 10-11, 17-18; Jesse Gause: Joseph Smith’s Little-Known
Counselor, BYU Studies – Fall 1983, pages 487-493; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 113-114.
>Rigdon and Smith were tarred and feathered for their greed in 1832. A History of the Disciples of Christ in Ohio 1918, page 126; Naked Truths
About Mormonism 1888, page 1; Letter to A.S. Hayden – February 1, 1868;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 114-118.
>Rigdon instigated financial revelation changes in 1832 Missouri. Kirtland Revelation Book, page 16; D&C 78; Saints Herald – February
5, 1887; Melvin J. Peterson, M.A. thesis, BYU – 1955; Restoration
Scriptures 1969, pages 196-263; Changes in the Revelations 1992, pages
87-112; History of the Church, 1:365-366. Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 124-125.
>Rigdon preached for a house a tactic later used by Joseph Smith. Cahoon’s May 18, 1832 diary; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 126.
>Rigdon rigged his place in Mormon hierarchy and fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophecy. D&C 100:9-12; 2 Ne 7, 15, 17; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 128.
>Sidney Rigdon renamed the church to “The Church of the Latter-day Saints” due to millennial madness. Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 149.
>Rigdon was in charge of the church when Smith was leading the failed military campaign called Zion’s Camp to Missouri. An American Prophet’s Record 1989, page 27; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 149.
>Rigdon concocted an "end of the world" prophecy to explain Joe Smith's failed Zion's Camp. History of the Church 2:142, 182; Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star
October 27, 1890 – page 675; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious
Excess, pages 151-152.
>With the lost of Zion in Missouri, Rigdon pushed for Kirtland Ohio to be the “sacred place in exile.” Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star December 16, 1854 – page 788; An Early
Latter Day Saint History 1980, page 121; Times and Seasons April 15, 1845
– page 865; The Kirtland Temple 1986, page 23; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, page 155.
>Sidney Rigdon was the force behind the publication of Mormon prophecies. An Address to All Believers in Christ 1887, pages 54-55; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 160-161.
>Sidney Rigdon promoted education for ignorant Mormons such as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. D&C 88; Journal History – January 24, 1833; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 161.
>Philastus Hurlbut
was excommunicated and began his work of collecting affidavits in Ohio and New
York. Mormonism Unveiled, pages 278-287; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon, pages 34-46.
>Joseph Smith never disputed the contents of Mormonism Unveiled. Instead he
used personal slander.
To the Elders of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, Messenger and Advocate,
December 1835; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon, pages 35-36, 196.
>The veracity of the affidavits are verified
by Arthur Deming and Ellen Dickinson the grandniece of Spalding.
New Light on
Mormonism, pages 257-258; Who Really Wrote The Book of Mormon, pages 51-54.
>Sidney Rigdon promoted the religious education of the Mormons in 1834. Latter Day Saints Messenger and Advocate, April 1835 – page 80;
Encyclopedia of Mormonism 1992, 4:819; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, page 161.
>Sidney Rigdon’s theology was removed by the Mormon church in 1921. The Lectures on Faith: A Case Study in Decanonization – Dialogue: A
Journal of Mormon Thought 1987, pages 71-77; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 161-162.
>Sidney Rigdon purposely changed
the prophecies contained in the Doctrine and Covenants from the earlier
Book of Commandments. Melvin J. Petersen – M.A. thesis, BYU, 1955; History of the Church,
2:481; An Address to All Believers in Christ 1887, pages 56, 59, 61;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 162-163.
>Sidney Rigdon publicly slandered his brother-in-law over an inheritance. Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate June 1836, pages 334-335;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 164; Who Really Wrote
the Book of Mormon?, page 174.
>Sidney Rigdon publicly slandered the Campbellites over end times prophecies.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate June 1836, pages 297-299;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 164-165.
>Sidney Rigdon publicly slandered Oliver Barr over the new Mormon gospel. Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate June 1836, pages 325-329; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 165.
>Sidney Rigdon through Smith used revelations to get the Kirtland temple built. D&C 36:8, 38:32, 95:3, 11-17; History of the Church 2:239; The
Early Temples of the Mormons 1978, page 36; Journal of Discourses 14:273;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 166-167.
>Sidney Rigdon established Mormon temple ceremonies. An American Prophet’s Record 1989, pages 57-58; Oliver Cowder’s Kirtland,
Ohio, Sketch Book, BYU Studies 1972, pages 416-418; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 169-170.
>Sidney Rigdon was in charge of the Kirtland temple dedication services. Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate March 1836, pages 274-278; The
Far West 1838, page 113; Early History of the Disciples in the Western
Reserve 1875, pages 191-192; The Women of Mormondom 1877, page 99; Sidney
Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 170-172.
>Sidney Rigdon led a Mormon delegation to Salem, Massachusetts seeking hidden money. History of the Church 2:464; Joseph Smith and Salem 1964, pages 93-94;
The Return July 1889, pages 105-106; Very Important to the Mormon Money
Diggers March 20, 1843; The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith 1984, page
350; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 180-181.
>Sidney Rigdon began an illegal Mormon banking scheme in Kirtland, Ohio. Latter Day Saints Messenger and Advocate September 1836, page 375;
Sources on the History of the Mormons in Ohio: 1830-1838, BYU Studies
1971, pages 531-532; A Collection of Facts Relative to the Course Taken
by Elder Sidney Rigdon 1844, page 10; Latter Day Saints Messenger and
Advocate 3:443, 475; Wilford Woodruff’s Journal 1983, 1:120; Sidney
Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 182-184.
>Sidney Rigdon was the chief spokesman for the Kirtland banking scheme. Early Days of Mormonism 1888, page 163; Mormons in Ohio, pages 531-532;
Painesville Telegraph January 27, 1837; Latter Day Saints’ Messenger
and Advocate January 1837, page 443; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 185-186.
>Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith both fled Ohio before they could be arrested for bank fraud. Cleveland Weekly Gazette – February 1, 1837; Thomas Newell and His
Descendants 1878; Common Pleas, Record Book U, Geauga County, Ohio;
Autobiography and Recollections of a Pioneer Printer 1878, pg 45;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 186.
>The actions of Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith helped start a national banking crisis. The Republican – March 15, 1838; The Failure of the Kirtland Safety
Society Anti-Banking Company – Journal of Economic History, December
30, 1971; The Kirtland Temple 1986, page 84; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 186-187.
>Many Mormons became enraged at Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith for the banking
crisis of 1837.
Wilford
Woodruff's Journal 1983, 1:147-148; Charges Against Joseph Smith -
Newel K. Whitney Collection, BYU; Vault 76, box 2 - Special
Collections, BYU; Oliver Huntington Journal, 28 - Special Collections,
BYU; Biography and Family History of Lorenzo Snow 1884, pages 20-21;
History of Joseph Smith by His Mother 1958, page 241; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 196-197.
>Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith blamed others for the banking scheme they created. Latter Day Saint's
Messenger and Advocate - August 1837, pg 560; History of the Church 2:497;
Journal of Discourses - November 15, 1864, 11:11; Elder's Journal - August 1838
editorial; Nauvoo Neighbor - June 19, 1844; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pgs 199-201.
>Sidney Rigdon jumped on the temperance national bandwagon to feign
righteousness.
Wilford Woodruff's Journal
1983, 1:110-111; Far West Record 1983, page 124; Sidney Rigdon, A
Portrait of Religious Excess, page 202.
>The religious schemes of Sidney Rigdon and Joseph
Smith in Kirtland were exposed by former Mormons.
New York Times, December 25, 1887; Pioneers of the Western
Reserve 1883, page 303; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 202-203.
>Sidney Rigdon
and Joseph Smith used a false deceptive
prophecy as cover for escaping Ohio for Missouri.
The Scriptory Book of Joseph Smith, pages 51-52; An American
Prophet's Record, pages 192-193; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 203-204.
>Sidney Rigdon
gave the keynote sermon on the 8th anniversary of the church.
Life Story of Sidney Rigdon, page 68; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 213.
>Rigdon and Smith began a revisionist
history to counter actuate journalism on their activities.
History of the Church, 1:1,
3:15-16; An American Prophet's Record 1989, pages 176-177; Times and
Seasons - April 24, 1843, page 172; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 213-214.
>Rigdon and Smith began a dictatorial rule
of the church in 1838 Far West, Missouri.
History of the Church 3:284; Frederick Granger Williams of the First
Presidency of the Church, BYU Studies - Spring 1972, page 258; Brief
History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints 1839, page 59; An
American Prophet's Record 1989, page 187; Correspondence and Orders 1841,
pages 103-106, 138-139; High Treason and Murder - BYU Studies - Spring
1986, pages 17-18; Wilford Woodruff's Journal 1985, 2:378; An Early
Latter Day Saint History 1980, page 162; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 215-216.
>Rigdon and Smith formed the Danites to destroy opposition within and outside
the church.
The Destroying Angels of Mormondom 1878, pages 8-9; Brief History of the
Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints 1839, page 31; Missouri Republican
- November 20, 1838; Items of Personal History of the Editor 1889, page
145; Mormons So Called 1839, pages 6-10; Correspondence and Orders 1841,
page 111; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 216-217.
>Rigdon blasted Mormon dissenters via
the "Salt Sermon" on June 17, 1838.
D&C 103:2-15; Mormons So Called 1839, page 6-8; Correspondence and
Orders 1841, pages 138-139; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 217-218.
>Rigdon threatened the life's of
Mormon dissenters via the Danites.
Journal History, November 13, 1838; Correspondence and Orders
1841, pages 138-139; An American Prophet's Record 1989, page 187; An Early Latter
Day Saint History 1980, page 165; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 218-219.
>Sidney Rigdon condemned Missouri non-Mormons
publicly in a sermon on July 4, 1838.
Correspondence and Orders 1841, page 122; The Return 1889, 1:170;
Elders Journal August 1838, 1:60; Two Rare Missouri Documents, BYU Studies 1974,
14:527; Items of Personal History, page 149; Autobiography of Parley Pratt 1976,
page 173; Times and Seasons April 1840, 1:81; An American Prophet's Record 1989,
pages 186-187; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 220-221.
>Divine displeasure came upon Rigdon
and Smith after the July 4th sermon via a lightning storm.
Times and Seasons April 1840, 1:81; The Return 1889, 1:145-151;
Oliver Huntington Dairy 1875, page 129 - BYU Special Collections; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 222.
>Rigdon and Smith threatened the life
of a Missouri judge after a August 1838 election day scuffle.
Journal History - August 6-7, 1838; The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri
1987, pages 58-64; Mormonism Unveiled 1877, pages 56-60; Mormonism Exposed
1840, page 29; An American Prophet's Record 1989, page 202; Testimony Given
the Judge of the Fifth Judicial District of the State of Missouri 1841,
page 161; Quest for Refuge 1989, page 85; History of the Church 3:61;
Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 231-232.
>Rigdon and Smith refused to back
down in their confrontation with Missouri non-Mormons.
Scriptory Book of Joseph Smith - September 1, 1838; An American
Prophet's Record 1989, pages 210-211; Mormons So Called 1839, pages 19-22; History
of the Church 3:180-181; An Early Latter Day Saint History 1980, page 165; Oliver
B. Huntington Journal - BYU Special Collections; The Last Months of Mormonism in
Missouri - BYU Studies 1988, 28:23; Mormonism, Embracing the Origin, Rise and
Progress of the Sect 1844, page 226; Mormonism Exposed 1840, page 33; Correspondence
and Orders 1841, pages 57-59; Quest for Refuge 1989, page 96; Missouri Argus -
November 8, 1838; The Return 1890, 2:216; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 232-236.
>Missouri Governor Bogg's
"extermination order" was the direct result of the Rigdon's and Smith's actions. Testimony Given Before the Judge of the Fifth Judicial District
1841, pages 14, 61; Mormons So Called 1839, page 8; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 236.
>Rigdon and Smith lost courage when
the Missouri state militia arrived at Far West, Missouri.
Journal History - August 16, 1857; Mormons So Called 1839, pages
24-25; Times and Seasons July 15, 1843, 4:275; Messenger and Advocate - August
1, 1845; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 237-238.
>Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith quickly surrendered
to the Missouri state militia.
History of the Church 3:445; The Autobiography of Parley Pratt
1888, page 203; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 238-239.
>Brigham Young advised the Danites to
flee after the arrest of Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith.
Journal History - November 1, 1838; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 239.
>General Doniphan of the Missouri
militia prevented Rigdon and Smith from being executed.
History of Caldwell and
Livingston Counties, page 137; Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought -
Winter 1966, page 36; Times and Seasons - July 15, 1843, 4:251;
Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer 1880, page 63; Sidney
Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 240.
>The Missouri state prosecutor proved
that the Mormons were guilty of treason.
Mormon Memoirs - Liberty Tribune, April 9, 1886; Correspondence
and Orders 1840, page 90; Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer 1880, pages
63-64; Testimony Given Before the Judge of the Fifth Judicial District 1841, pages
97-98; The Autobiography of Parley Pratt 1888, page 230; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 250-251.
>Sidney Rigdon proclaimed that he
suffered more than Jesus Christ.
Journal History - February 25, 1839; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 254.
>Sidney Rigdon through an eloquent speech
obtained bail and fled to Illinois.
Saints Herald - August 2, 1884; Times and Seasons - July 15,
1843, 4:278; An Appeal to the American People 1840, page 158; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 254-255.
>Sidney Rigdon
denounced God after the Mormons in Missouri had been "abandoned".
Journal of Discourses - February 5, 1882, 23:12; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 261.
>Sidney Rigdon purchased Commerce, Illinois for the Mormons new headquarters.
History
of the Church, 3:265-267, 298; Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought -
Winter 1966, 1:38; Life Story of Sidney Rigdon, page 159; Sidney Rigdon,
A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 263-264.
>Sidney Rigdon
didn't communicate with the imprisoned Joseph Smith for two months.
History of the Church, 3:298; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 264.
>Upon Smith's escape from jail, Rigdon sought revenge upon Missouri through political intrigue.
History of the Church, 3:310-312, 333; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 264-266.
>God cursed the Mormons with malaria after another eloquent Rigdon sermon on July
7, 1839.
Wilford Woodruff's Journal 1983, 1:345; Dialogue: A Journal of
Mormon Thought - Winter 1966, 1:38; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 266-267.
>Without Rigdon who had malaria,
Smith met with President Van Buren and was quickly dismissed.
The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith 1984, page 448; From Palmyra,
New York, to Independence, Missouri 1894, pages 308-309; History of the Church,
4:21, 39, 80; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 269.
>Without Rigdon who had malaria,
Smith lobbied Congress and was quickly dismissed.
Journal History - December 5, 1839; History of the Church,
4:81-98; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 270-272.
>Rigdon and Smith again started to
preach on the importance of money in 1839.
History of the Church, 3:350, 3:367, 4:407, 4:13, 5:357; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 278.
>Sidney Rigdon secured the Nauvoo postmaster
position for his son-in-law in 1840.
History of the Church, 4:111-112, 121; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 277-278.
>Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith both filed for bankruptcy to
escape creditors.
History of the Church, 5:7, 5:51-52, 5:195, 5:382-383; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 279.
>Rigdon could not counsel Smith as
he was mostly sick from 1839 through 1844.
Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought - Winter 1966, 1:39; Times
and Seasons, July 1, 1840, 1:134-136; Times and Seasons, September 15, 1844,
5:654; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 279-280, 282.
>Without Rigdon, Smith quickly
befriended John C. Bennett who would later write Mormonism Exposed.
History of the Church, 4:170, 172, 179, 249, 270; D & C 124:17; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 281.
>Smith gave Rigdon a new house in Nauvoo to keep him from moving back to Pittsburgh.
Saints Herald, February 5, 1887; D & C 124:103-109; Nauvoo -
Early Mormon Records, 1:21-22; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 282.
>Smith further induced Rigdon to
stay in Nauvoo by having him become the postmaster, councilman, professor,
chaplain of the Nauvoo Legion, and regent of Nauvoo University in 1841.
Times and Seasons, December 15, 1841, 2:631; History of the
Church, 4:303-305; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 283.
>Sidney Rigdon delivered the keynote speech for the eleventh
anniversary of the church.
History of the Church, 4:327-329; Times and Seasons - April 15,
1841, 2:381-382; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 283-284.
>Rigdon's baptismal regeneration
heresy led to the baptism for the dead heresy.
D & C 124:29-36; Times and Seasons - April 15, 1841, 2:387;
Journal History - April 11, 1841; Journal of Williams Huntington, BYU Special
Collections; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 284.
>Hyrum Smith convinced Joseph Smith
to elevate Sidney Rigdon to the office of prophet.
A Collection of Facts
Relative to the Course Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon 1844, page 14;
Times and Seasons, June 1, 1841 - 2:431; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 284-285.
>A sickly Sidney Rigdon could not control the sexual
misconduct of his false prophet Joseph Smith.
Mormon Enigma 1984, page 64; Salt Lake Tribune - September 22,
1889, October 6, 1875; I Knew the Prophets 1976, pages 38-39; Ten Years Before the
Mast, page 72; Max H. Parkin, M.A. thesis, BYU, 1966, page 174; Oliver Cowdery
Letter - January 21, 1838, Huntington Library; The Braden and Kelley Debate
1884, pages 202, 391; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 290-291.
>With Rigdon sick with malaria,
Joseph Smith was sexually out of control while making public denials.
A Record of the Organization and Proceedings of the Female Relief
Society of Nauvoo - Joseph Smith Collection; An American Prophet's Record 1989,
page 417; Times and Seasons - February 1, 1844; Historical Record - July 1887,
6:226; Mormon Polygamy 1986, pages 4-14; D & C 42:22; Revised Laws of Illinois
1833, pages 198-199; Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate - June 18, 1845;
Incidents in the Life of a Mormon Girl, page 185; Narrative of Some of the
Proceedings of the Mormons 1848, page 19; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 293-294.
>Joseph Smith tried and failed to
seduce Nancy Rigdon the daughter of Sidney Ridgon.
The
History of the Saints 1842, pages 245-247; Sidney Rigdon - The Real
Founder of Mormonism 1885, BYU Collections; Life Story of Sidney
Rigdon, pages 164, 169; Salt Lake Tribune, May 20, 1900; Wilford
Woodruff's Journal 1983, 2:168; History of the Church, 5:134-136;
Deseret News - December 12, 1855; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 295-296.
>Sidney Rigdon confronted his false
prophet Joe Smith about his attempted seduction of Nancy.
The History of the Saints 1842, page 246; Life Story of Sidney
Rigdon, pages 166-167; Letter from Robinson to James A. Bennett, July 27, 1842;
Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate - October 15, 1844, 1:15 - January 1,
1845, 1:75; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 296-297.
>The relationship between Rigdon and
Smith would never be the same due to Smith's sexual promiscuity.
Life Story of Sidney Rigdon, page 175; History of the Church,
4:608, 5:6; History of the Saints 1842, pages 44-45; Sangamo Journal, August 26,
1842; Manuscript History, August 29, 1842; Mormon Polygamy: A History 1986,
chapter 4; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 297-298.
>Sidney Rigdon remained quiet while Joseph Smith
resorted to slander of the women who turned him down.
History of the Saints 1842, pages 228-231; Sangamo Journal, August
1, 1842; Wasp, August 27, 1842; Upon the Course and Conduct of Mr. Sidney Rigdon
1845, pages 27-28; The Absurdities of Mormonism 1843, page 16; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 299-302.
>Joseph Smith was envious of Sidney Rigdon's income as the Nauvoo postmaster.
History of the Church, 5:159, 184, 196, 266-267, 315-316,
368-369, 6:406; History of the Saints 1842, page 248; Emma Smith letter, September
12, 1842; Sangamo Journal, November 18, 1842; An American Prophet's Record 1989,
pages 304-305; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 311-314, 316-319.
>Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith
reconciled in time for the Spring 1843 general conference.
The Words of Joseph Smith 1980, page 174; An American Prophet's
Record 1989, pages 342-343, 353; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 319.
>With this 1843 spring
reconciliation, Rigdon's autobiography was published in Times and Seasons.
Times and Seasons - May 15,
1843, 4:193-194 - June 1, 1843, 4:209-210 - August 15, 1843, 4:289-290
- September 15, 1843, 4:320-21; Journal History - May 9, 1843; An
American Prophet's Record 1989, page 376; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of
Religious Excess, pages 319-320.
>Sidney Rigdon remained in
power despite Joseph Smith's worries over being arrested.
Mormon Portraits 1886, page 255; History of the Church, 5:168,
531-532, 553-554, 6:47-49; Times and Seasons - December 15, 1842, 4:33-36 -
October 15, 1843, 4:330; Wasp - September 24, 1842; Journal History - January
10, 1843, October 7-8, 1843; An American Prophet's Record 1989, page 302, 406;
Wickliffe Rigdon statement - July 28, 1905; The Personal Writings of Joseph
Smith 1984, pages 555-556; Illinois State Register - July 18, 1843; Journal
History - August 13, 1843; The Words of Joseph Smith, page 243; Life Story of
Sidney Rigdon, pages 178-179; Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate - December
6, 1844; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 314-318, 320-325.
>Smith and Rigdon ran for President
and Vice-President to gain special privileges for Mormons.
Times and Seasons - June 1, 1844, 5:547; An American Prophet's
Record 1989, pages 425, 443, 456, 477; History of the Church, 6:197-209; A
Collection of Facts Relative to the Course Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon 1844, page
16; Correspondence of Bishop George Miller 1916, pages 20-21; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 331-332.
>Sidney Rigdon was the main speaker
during the spring 1844 general conference.
Journal History - April 6, 1844; General Minutes Collection -
April 6, 1844; Wilford Woodruff's Journal 1983, 2:374-375, 378; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 332-333.
>Rigdon advocated the heresy that salvation was through the
Mormon church.
General Minutes Collection - April 6, 1844; Wilford Woodruff's
Journal 1983, 2:378; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 333.
>Smith followed Rigdon's lead by
preaching the King Follett funeral sermon where he taught the heresy that humans
could progress to become gods.
General Minutes Collection - April 7, 1844; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 334.
>Sidney Rigdon and William Law, the
counselors in the First Presidency, tried to eliminate polygamy.
An American Prophet's Record 1989, pages 468, 472; History of the
Church, 6:321; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 334.
>Joseph Smith unwisely excommunicated William Law over polygamy.
Thomas Gregg May 1844 letter, Chicago Historical Society; William Law,
Nauvoo Dissenter, BYU Studies - Winter 1982, 22:68; Nauvoo Expositor,
1:1; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 334-335.
>Joseph Smith unwisely ordered the
destruction of William Law's Nauvoo Expositor's press.
History of the Church, 6:438, 466-467; An American Prophet's
Record 1989, page 490; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 335.
>Sidney Rigdon wisely left Nauvoo for Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania with his family.
History of the Church, 6:469-470; Saints Herald, February 5,
1887; Joseph Smith's personal diary - June 22, 1844, BYU special collections;
Life of Sidney Rigdon, pages 178-179; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 335-336.
>Sidney Rigdon wanted
total control of the Mormon church after the death of Joseph Smith.
A Collection of Facts Relative to the Course Taken by Elder
Sidney Rigdon 1844, pages 44-45; Speech of Elder Orson Hyde - April 27, 1845;
Journal History - August 4, 1844; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 336-337.
>August 6, 1844 was the private
showdown between Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young.
History of the Church, 7:226; August 6, 1844 Quorum of the Twelve
minutes; William Clayton's diary, LDS church first presidency; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 338.
>August 8, 1844 was the public
showdown between Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young.
General Minutes Collection - August 8, 1844; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 339.
>Brigham Young stopped Sidney Rigdon's sermon and
ended the morning meeting.
Speech of Orson Hyde - April 27, 1845; Journal History - October
6, 1860; Jacob Hamblin 1909, pages 20-21; Wilford Woodruff's Journal 1983,
2:434-435; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 339.
>Young catered to the crowd and gained control of the
Mormon church during the afternoon meeting. Journal History - August 8, 1844; Times and Seasons - September
2, 1844, 5:637; General Minutes Collection - August 8, 1844; Wilford Woodruff's
Journal 1983, 2:434-440; History of the Church 7:231-242; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 339-341.
>Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve justified their power grab.
General Minutes Collection - August 8, 1844; Journal of
Discourses - October 6, 1869, 13:180; The Elders' Journal - April 16, 1910,
7:682; I Knew the Prophets 1976, page 35; Times and Seasons - September 2, 1844,
5:632; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 341-343.
>Later exaggerated accounts tell of a transformation of
Brigham Young into a prophet on August 8, 1844.
Times and Seasons - October 15, 1844, 5:675; Heart Throbs of the
West 1943, 4:420; Journal of Discourses - October 6, 1869, 13:181 - April 8,
1872, 15:81 - April 5, 1877, 19:58 - October 22, 1882, 23:358; A Biographical
Sketch of John Riggs Murdock 1909, page 71; The Pulsipher Family History Book
1953, pages 10-24; Jacob Hamblin 1952, page 22; The Elders' Journal - April 16,
1910, 7:683; The Life Story of Robert Taylor Burton 1988, page 49; Our Pioneer
Heritage 1963, 6:203; Ezra T. Benson 1947, pages 88-89; Faith Promoting Stories
1943, page 137; The Benson Family 1979, page 238; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, page 343.
>In reality, the force of Young's
personality won the day on August 8, 1844 for the Quorum of the Twelve.
Correspondence of Bishop George Miller 1855; Letter from Rigdon
to Young dated December 6, 1870 - BYU Collections; Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 343-345.
>Sidney Rigdon threatened Brigham
Young to disclose secrets of the church.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, 7:267; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?, page 158-160.
>Brigham Young countered Sidney Rigdon
with discloser threats.
A Collection of Facts Relative to the Course
Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon, 1844, page 35; Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?,
page 158.
>Sidney
Rigdon proclaimed himself a prophet after leaving for Pittsburgh where
it all began with the discovery and theft of Solomon Spaulding's
"Manuscript Found." Sidney Rigdon, A Portrait of Religious Excess, pages 17, 367-381.
Webmaster note:
With the death of Joseph Smith and the excommunication of Sidney Rigdon, control
of the Mormon church shifted from the con-artist false prophets to the business
manager false prophets beginning with Brigham Young. The business managers ceased
making the numerous false prophecies that were characteristic of the Joe Smith and
Sidney Rigdon
era. Brigham Young gave only one "revelation" and that being Doctrine and
Covenants section 136 where the Mormon membership were told to obey his commandments and how to be organized
during the western migration to Utah. Other business manager prophecies were the
1890 declaration that polygamy was no longer allowed and the 1978 declaration
that blacks would no longer be discriminated against. The 1890 and 1978
declarations were simply made to keep the Mormon church in step with the
accepted morals of the United States of America. The business manager false
prophets of the Mormon church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
continue to practice misinformation and deception to the present about Mormon history.