Did sidney rigdon wrote the book of mormon

If joseph smith did not translate the book of mormon as a work of ancient origin, then i would move heaven and earth to meet the real nineteenthcentury author. The idea is that sidney rigdon got a hold of the manuscript and used it to author the book of mormon. Sidney rigdon was accused of being the brains behind the book of mormon. One of the most amusing parts of the book is the attempt to explain the experience of the three witnesses. Those making a case for rigdon often include a missing spalding manuscript. Latter day saints messenger and advocate, april 1835 pg 80. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and founder of.

Or was the book really derived from solomon spaldings romantic fantasy. Sidney rigdon the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. One said theres testimony by friends and relatives of this author saying the book of mormon has the same names scenarios but his was written as a historical. Sidney rigdon was an influential leader in the early days of mormonism and became a good friend of the prophet joseph smith. Any mormon knows the story of parley pratt finding a copy of the book of mormon at a preachers house and staying up all night reading it. Did baptistcampbellite preacher sidney rigdon steal the recently deceased spaldings book from the pennsylvania print shop. Support of smiths move on nancy rigdon from other mormon women sidney rigdon. What is the spalding theory of book of mormon authorship. Rigdon was a devout and studious preacher of the bible, even.

Some historians believe that rigdon, rather than smith, wrote the book of mormon, but proof is lacking. Jun 18, 2015 this theory says much of the story of the book of mormon was plagiarized from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding. Exactly how did joseph smith rip off reverend solomon. In november of 2014, to my astonishment, a man that i was trying to teach, referred to the book of mormon as spauldings doctrine. Reassessing authorship of the book of mormon using delta and nearest shrunken centroid classification. Who really wrote the book of mormon part 2 youtube. Reported that the book of mormon was produced there in a series of s ancelike sessions. Did rigdon hook up with oliver cowdrey and joseph smith jr. Sidney rigdons final words about joseph smith and the. Sidney rigdon was born on february 19, 1793, near pittsburgh, pennsylvania. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. Pratt, a former colleague in the disciples church gave him a copy.

Rigdon, sidneys son, asks his dad if he wrote the book of mormon or. His mental powers did not seem to be impaired, but the equilibrium in his intellectual exertions seemed thereby to have been sadly affected. A portrait of religious excess the rise and fall of one of early mormonisms most influential leaders, who broke with the church after the death of joseph smith to organize his own religion based on early mormon revelations and communal living. A historical note on joseph smiths 1836 visit to the east. As most of you are aware, we had a crash to forums and were down for over two days a while back. Rigdons role as author was also proposed in an august 1831 article by james gordon bennett, who had visited the palmyra manchester area and interviewed several residents. Patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. The spalding enigma part 2 did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith the mormon. Additionally rigdon, who was a preacher, weaved his own religious views into the story. Joseph smith, sidney rigdon, hyrum smith, and oliver cowdery leased a house for temporary occupation on this street in august 1836. The theory that sidney rigdon was the true author of the book of mormon first appeared in print in an august 31, 1831, article by james gordon bennett, who had visited palmyramanchester area and interviewed several residents.

In 1839, rigdon wrote a letter denying his role in the composition of the book of mormon. And as joseph smith is a very ignorant man and is called the author on the title page, i cannot doubt. Sep 24, 2015 in late october of 1830, roughly six months after the publication of the book of mormon, four lds missionaries including parley pratt, who had known sidney rigdon previously came through kirtland, ohio, where sidney had built up a communal church, and introduced him to both the book of mormon and mormonism. I am aware of sidneys son john who reported his discussion with his father and mother. Sidney rigdon february 19, 1793 july 14, 1876 was a leader during the early history of the. Who really wrote the book of mormon solomon spalding. Did sidney rigdon steal a manuscript then conspire with. In 1888, walter sidney rigdon, sidney rigdons grandson.

Sidney rigdon was a christian minister, and one of the visitors, parley p. In 1888, walter sidney rigdon, sidney rigdons grandson, said that his grandfathers role. Van wagoner few mormons know the story of sidney rigdon. May 01, 2009 when a story about a manuscript lost originated it made little sense as the key ingredient was sidney rigdon. Rigdons role as author was also proposed in an august 1831 article by james gordon bennett, who had visited the palmyramanchester area and interviewed several residents. We did have to do an upgrade to the vbulletin software to fix the forums and that has created changes, vb no longer provide the hybrid or threaded forums. The entire book is based upon whitsitts initial assumption that rigdon and spalding wrote the book of mormon.

Gregory although sidney rigdon was a prominent and wellknown figure in early mormon history, his life and thought after his excommunication from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are almost completely unknown to latterday saints today. Dec 12, 2017 for the 24 book of mormon authors included in the analysis, see larsen, rencher, and layton, who wrote the book of mormon. Examining a misapplication of nearest shrunken centroid classification to investigate book of mormon authorship. Whitsitt then proceeds to fit the known facts to match that assumption. According to the latterday saints official historical account, the book of mormon bom was the work of ancient american jewish prophets who wrote their inspired accounts on plates of gold.

But i am looking for other statements that sidney gave that we can verify. The book of mormon is not an ancient document but a 19th century work of fiction. The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of. This man was one of the three witnesses to the book of mormon. It was promptly published by both the latterday saints and reorganized latter day saint churches to refute the theory of some critics that it had served as an original source document for the book of mormon, supposedly supplied to joseph smith by sidney rigdon. Sidney rigdon, a portrait of religious excess, pg 161. Howe attacked the authenticity of the book of mormon by adopting philastus hurlbuts argument that sidney rigdon purloined the manuscript story of solomon spaulding see spaulding manuscript, plagiarized it to compose the book of mormon, and gave it to joseph smith to publish under his name. Moreover, previous stylometric studies have demonstrated that none of the 19th century writers usually suspected of authoring the book of mormon have writing samples that match any of its distinct styles. How much was sidney rigdon involved with the creation of the.

Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and founder. Patterson declined, as he did not think the enterprise would pay. Desnews did sidney rigdon write the book of mormon. John whitmer historical association best book award mormon history association best biography january, 2006. Sidney rigdons final confession about joseph smith and the origin of the book of mormon john w.

Sidney rigdon, the confession of an apostate john clinton rigdon isbn. The historical case against sidney rigdons authorship of the. The story that solomon spauldings novel, was stolen by sidney rigdon and then used to make the book of mormon is still believe by some today. Sidney rigdon and the book of mormon february 18, 2018 dan peterson.

When smith was murdered 1844, however, rigdon attempted to. Pratt, was a former member of his congregation who had returned to share the book of mormon and news of the restoration with his mentor. Sidney rigdon, the confession of an apostate kindle edition by rigdon, john c download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. When a story about a manuscript lost originated it made little sense as the key ingredient was sidney rigdon. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesspalding manuscript. The spalding enigma part 1 did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith the mormon. He was a powerful orator and defender of the fledgling mormon church. Rigdon, sidney s son, asks his dad if he wrote the book of mormon or if josephs story about golden plates is true. Rigdon and spalding were independently named as authors before anyone was aware of a connection between them. Sidney rigdon himself testified time and again that the first time he saw the book of mormon was in mentor, ohio, near kirtland, after the book of mormon was published and the church organized. He did not endorse the principle of plural marriage, although he never. Book of mormonauthorship theoriessidney rigdon fairmormon. Rigdon, the son of sydney rigdon visited utah and spent the winter among the mormons. Sidney rigdon american religious leader britannica.

This theory says much of the story of the book of mormon was plagiarized from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Clair township, allegheny county, pennsylvania, about 10 miles south of pittsburgh. The street is located in downtown salem and is only about two city blocks long. Feb 15, 2020 sidney rigdon, american churchman, an early convert to mormonism 1830 and first counselor to its founder, joseph smith. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. Sidney rigdon, the confession of an apostate rigdon, john clinton on. Sidney rigdons confession to his son about the book of mormon.

Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading i wrote the book of mormon. After the mormons moved to missouri 1838 and then to nauvoo, ill. Nov 06, 2017 are there any quotes from sidney in the later years of his life regarding joseph smith and the book of mormon. He once testified under oath that his cousin sidney did not write the book of mormon. The traditions of mormon samesex marriage advocates encounter boyd k. He always denied it, and his son plainly believed him. Sidney rigdon s final confession about joseph smith and the origin of the book of mormon. Sidney rigdon did not meet joseph smith until december 1830, more than half a year after the book. Spaulding manuscript the encyclopedia of mormonism. Be a prophet of god living on the american continents between 2000 bc and 400 ad. Sidney rigdon mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Sidney rigdon proven to be author of book of mormon with.

Similarities between the claims of sidney rigdon and james strang for church leadership. Both works fingered sidney rigdon as the probable culprit responsible originating a good deal of mormonism. The next step is to study the background and motivations of those responsible for its production. Who really wrote the book of mormon part 1 youtube. Joseph smith was to translate the book of mormon, and sidney rigdon was to take it, and gather israel. Wickliffe wrote that after the private confrontation with the rigdon family, a bad feeling existed between joseph smith and sidney rigdon they did not often meet although they lived within a few rods of each other they did not seem to be on verry friendly terms. Diehard anti mormon writers have suggested that to help produce the book of mormon sidney rigdon traveled incognito over long distances and as a mysterious stranger unknown to the community met joseph smith. Spaulding was born in ashford, connecticut, on february 21, 1761. Sidney rigdon, american churchman, an early convert to mormonism 1830 and first counselor to its founder, joseph smith. I have heard 2 ex mormons say sidney rigdon had the means and motive to conspire with joseph smith in its creation, because he took a manuscript from a printers office written by a guy named spalding.

It seems after reading these posts that the only possible answer is that the book of mormon happened just like joseph and others claim. Sidney rigdon quotes regarding book of mormon and joseph. The theory that sidney rigdon was the true author of the book of mormon first appeared in print in a february 15, 1831 article. The spalding enigma part 1 did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith the mormon bible, as he claimed. Rigdon, sidneys son, asks his dad if he wrote the book of mormon or if josephs story about golden plates is true. Was sidney rigdon more qualified to write the book of mormon than joseph smith. If sidney rigdon, my father, had thrown his life away by telling a falsehood and bringing sorrow and disgrace upon his family, i wanted to know it and was determined to find out the facts, no matter what the consequences might be. The historical case against sidney rigdon s authorship of the book of mormon. Lots of answers here with an incredible amount of evidence. A woman who lived with the rigdon family in bainbridge, ohio, in 1826 allegedly. Reported that the book of mormon was produced there in a. Was the book of mormon given to joseph smith by an angel or created from a work of fiction who was solomon spalding and did he have a connection with joseph smith. Critical theories that sidney rigdon was a book of mormon author or coconspirator.

In late october of 1830, roughly six months after the publication of the book of mormon, four lds missionaries including parley pratt, who had known sidney rigdon previously came through kirtland, ohio, where sidney had built up a communal church, and introduced him to both the book of mormon and mormonism. The theory that sidney rigdon was the true author of the book of mormon first. Sidney rigdon wrote the book with a little help from friends. An american, james adair, wrote a book a history of the american indians in 1775. Brewster carried on a correspondence with fellow oberlin graduate rev. It appears that abraham lincoln checked out a copy of the bom from the library of congress. Besides the campbellite doctrine becoming a main message in mormonism, sidney was telling people about the book of mormon years before it was published. The theory that sidney rigdon was the author of the book of mormon was only advanced when it became apparent that joseph smith was incapable of having. Perhaps the rlds leaders and writers found robert patterson, jr. They grew up together near pittsburg and remained friends but not agreed through the developing years of mormonism. It attempted to prove that natives had descended from the ancient israelites. Rigdon s father was a farmer and a native of harford county, maryland. Horace eatons origin of mormonism, published that same year. Historical evidence fails to prove any earlier connection between sidney rigdon and joseph smith.

Having been an active mormon for 35 years, and semiactive for another seven, i feel i have a pretty good picture of the lds church, its history, and motives. He eventually became disaffected and left the church. Joseph smith, emma smith, martin harris, sidney rigdon, oliver cowdery, etc. Rigdon was a devout and studious preacher of the bible, even naming one of his sons after the great 14thcentury reformer and bible translator john wycliff. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. And many resorted unto him, and said, john did no miracle. Sidney rigdon religionwiki fandom powered by wikia. The historical case against sidney rigdons authorship of. I could swear that this book was written by one man. Cowdrey is an ex mormon whose interest in the origins of the book of mormon derives from his familys tradition that they are relatives of the oliver cowdery who figures so prominently in the spalding enigma. He was the youngest of four children of william and nancy rigdon. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon fairmormon.

An analysis of wordprints, book of mormon authorship, 181. This is the case despite the fact that he influenced mormonism between 1831 and 1839 more than perhaps anyoneincluding joseph smith. Sidney rigdon after losing the power struggle with brigham young for control of the mormon lds church. This book critically examines key historical documents, personal testimonies, and records of 19thcentury mormon history concluding that the book of mormon is an adaptation of an obscure historical novel written by revolutionary. There are some accusations by the author, but they amount mostly to paraphrased rigdon stole the manuscript from solomon spaulding and that was turned into the book of mormon. Nutting and it seems that nutting was aware of brewsters initial research into cliams that sidney rigdon wrote a portion of the book of mormon at bainbridge, during his 182627 tenure in that geauga co. Was sidney rigdon more qualified to write the book of. Joseph smith and nancy rigdon recovery from mormonism. He was also josephs counselor, and was a member of the original first presidency for the entire mormon life of joseph smith. Sidney rigdons final words about joseph smith and the origin. Members of the church have long held that its joseph smith.

Sidney rigdons final confession about joseph smith and the origin of the book of mormon. The lord had said, in the book of mormon, that he would raise up to joseph smith a spokesman. It depends on who you ask and who and what you believe, and whether or not your bosom burns. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and. It did not help matters that i had posed that same question to investigators when i was an lds missionary. I wrote it myself, as it fell from the lips of the prophet. Pratt told rigdon about the book of mormon and the restoration of the gospel. Joseph smith didnt even write the book, which is what most liberal mormons assert when the historical claims are refuted via archaeological and other scientific evidence. In fact, there is no proof presented in this book that rigdon wrote the book of mormon. There are some issueschanges to the forums we are not able to fix or change. What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. Hubble was giving commandments and laws while professing to believe in the book of mormon.

Sidney had already been called as a counselor to joseph a year earlier. Lets say that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. On october 29, 1830, two visitors came to the home of sidney and phebe rigdon. The 19th century writers included sidney rigdon, solomon spaulding, joseph smith, w. Where can i learn more about the sidney rigdon solomon spalding authorship theory. There is a book called the lincoln hypothesis by tim ballard that i avoided for a long time assuming it it was a bunch of stupid speculation. These writers include sidney rigdon, solomon spalding, w. The qualifications for writing the book of mormon are as follows.