Defense of the Faith and the Saints (Volume 2 of 2)Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Religion
Defense of the Faith and the Saints (Volume 2 of 2)
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saint churches
[Footnote 113: "Origin and Progress of Mormonism," 28. The author
was a native of Palmyra and read proof on the Book of Mormon. "Hand
Book of Mormonism," 3. This author lived thirty-two years in Palmyra.
Braden-Kelly Debate, 46. Mother Lucy in "Joseph Smith, the Prophet,"
pp. 119, 120, 121, gives an account of a mysterious and unnamed
"stranger" who came to their home with Joe at the time Harris had
lost some of the manuscript of the Book of Mormon. As a mere matter
of kindness this "stranger" forced upon the "Prophet" his company for
a twenty mile walk through the woods at night, left a stage coach and
went out of his way to do it, and attended the interview with Harris
next day. An opportune time was this for Rigdon's presence. May 1, 1829,
Sec. 10, Doctrine and Covenants.]
[Footnote 114: Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," 289, followed in "Gleanings
by the Way," 319. "Prophet of the Nineteenth Century," 57. See also the
pointed statement of L. Rudolph, father-in-law to President Garfield,
quoted in Braden-Kelly Debate, 45.]
Abel Chase, a near neighbor of the Smiths, says: "I saw Rigdon at
Smith's at different times with considerable intervals between."
Lorenzo Saunders, another neighbor, testifies: "I saw Rigdon at Smith's
several times, and the first visit was more than two years before the
Book appeared." J. H. McCauley, in his history of Franklin County,
Pa., states "as a matter too well known to need argument, that Joseph
Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and Sidney Rigdon were acquainted for
a considerable time before Mormonism was first heard of." [115]
[Footnote 115: See Braden-Kelly Debate, 46, for three last statements.
Tucker in his "Origin and Progress of Mormonism," p. 50, says Rigdon
officiated at the wedding of Joseph Smith and Emma Hale, but he fixes
date of wedding in November, 1829, when in fact it seems to have
occurred January 18, 1828. (_Historical Record_, 363.) Tucker may
therefore have been misinformed. An alleged admission of Sidney Rigdon
to James Jeffries that Spaulding's story was used, which is quoted in
Braden-Kelly Debate, 42, I consider of doubtful value.]
I have been able to find but one specific denial of Rigdon's
acquaintance with Smith prior to the appearance of the Book of Mormon.
That denial comes from Katherine Salisbury, a sister of the "Prophet
Joseph," and is dated April 15, 1881, when she was nearly 68 years of
age. She says that
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