HOW ABOUT SIDNEY RIGDON?
Was Spaulding's expressed suspicion that Rigdon had stolen his manuscript from the printing office well founded? We can never know upon what evidence the accusation was made, but we may inquire into the probative force of such new corroborative evidence as has been adduced since Spaulding's death.
Sidney Rigdon was born February 19, 1793, in Piny Fork of Peter's Creek, Saint Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pa.,[47] which place is variously estimated at from six to twelve miles distant from Pittsburg. At least until 1810, that being the date of the death of, his father, and his own eighteenth year, Rigdon remained on the farm with his parents.[48]
[Footnote 47: "The Spaulding Story Examined and Exposed," by John E. Page, 7. Supplement 14, Millennial Star, 42. "Myth of the Manuscript Found," 24.]
[Footnote 48: Supplement 14, Millennial Star. 42.]
According to the Mormon account, Rigdon was licensed as a Baptist preacher fourteen years before becoming a Mormon.[49] This would make the date 1816, the same year in October of which Spaulding died, it being Rigdon's twenty-fourth year, and the same year in which he stole from the publishing office of Patterson the manuscript of Spaulding, if the latter's suspicions shall prove well founded. A very opportune time, be it observed, for the giving of attention to religious subjects.
[Footnote 49: 35 Saints' Herald, 130.]
According to another account, and perhaps the more accurate one, Rigdon joined the Baptist Church May 31, 1817,[50] a Welsh clergyman, Rev. David Phillips, being his pastor.[51]. This church was located near where the neighboring hamlet of Library is now situated. Rigdon "began to talk in public on religion soon after his admission to the church, probably at his own instance, as there is no record of his license."[52]
[Footnote 50: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 8. "Myth of the Manuscript Found," 24.]
[Footnote 51: Supplement 14, Millennial Star, 42 and 43.]
[Footnote 52: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 9.]
The following year (1818) Rigdon left the farm and took up his residence and the study of divinity with the Rev. Andrew Clark at Sharon, Beaver County, Pa.,[53] where, in March, 1819, he was licensed as a Baptist.[54] I am informed by Sidney Rigdon's son that in 1818 his father made a lengthy visit to Pittsburg. In May, 1819, Rigdon moved to Warren, Trumbull County, O., where, in July, he took up his residence with the Rev. Adamson Bentley, later of "Disciple" fame,[55] and was here ordained a regular Baptist preacher.[56] While thus situated Rigdon met, and on June 12, 1820, married Phoebe Brooks,[57] who was a sister to Mrs. Bently.[58] Rigdon continued his preaching hereabouts, not appearing to have any regular charge until February, 1822. In November, 1821, he received a call from the First Baptist Church of Pittsburg, which was accepted, active duties commencing February, 1822,[59] and according to Joseph Smith ended August, 1824, at which time Rigdon was expelled for doctrinal error.[60] Another account fixes the date of his being deposed as October 11, 1823.[61] Thereupon Rigdon, Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott organized the "Christian Church," otherwise known as "Disciples"—and, with his following, Rigdon secured the courthouse in Pittsburg in which to do his preaching, at the same time working as a journeyman tanner[62] with his brother-in-law, Mr. Brooks.[63] Mr. Lambdin, through whom Rigdon is supposed to have secured access to the Spaulding manuscript, and of whom more shall be written later on, died August 1, 1825,[64] and in 1826 Rigdon returned to Bainbridge, Geauga County, O.[65] Here he soon met Orson Hyde, who became a student of divinity at Mr. Rigdon's, with a view, as Hyde says, of entering the ministry. Except for a little "Campbellite" preaching which he did under Rigdon's guidance, Hyde never appears to have entered any ministry except the Mormon. In 1829 Hyde became a boarder of Rigdon's family, and in 1830[66] he was almost miraculously converted to Mormonism, and still later became one of the first "Quorum" of apostles in the Mormon Church. Rigdon died July 14, 1876.[67]
[Footnote 53: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 8, 9.]
[Footnote 54: Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 42 and 53.]
[Footnote 55: Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 43.]
[Footnote 56: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 9. Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 43.]
[Footnote 57: Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 43.]
[Footnote 58: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 12.]
[Footnote 59: "The Spaulding Story Examined and Exposed," 4, by J.E. Page. "Mormonism Exposed," 2 exact date, January 28, 1822.]
[Footnote 60: Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 43.]
[Footnote 61: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 8.]
[Footnote 62: Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 45.]
[Footnote 63: "The Spaulding Story Examined and Exposed," p. 8.]
[Footnote 64: "Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?" 7. "Myth of the Manuscript Found," 26.]
[Footnote 65: Supplement 14, Millenial Star, 44. Times and Seasons 418.]
[Footnote 66: "The Spaulding Story Examined and Exposed," 10.]
[Footnote 67: Historical Record, 992. Bancroft's "History of Utah," 202]