Mr. Elder Sidney Rigdon

Elder S. Rigdon was its chief advocate there.
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Accordingly, I took up my abode in Mentor, in the house of Elder Sidney Rigdon, and began the study of English grammar under his tuition.Elder Rigdon took unwearied pains and care to instruct me in this elementary science.
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and in the fall of the year was ordained an elder in this new church, and went on a mission with Elder Rigdon to Elyria, Loraine County, and also to Florence in Huron County.
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Elder S. Rigdon, Gilbert and Whitney, and many others of my former friends had embraced the "Mormon" faith.
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Hence, I attended the Saints' meeting in Kirtland, Sunday, October 30, 1831, and offered myself a candidate for baptism, which was administered to me by the hands of Elder Sidney Rigdon; was confirmed and ordained an elder in the Church on the same day under the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and Sidney Rigdon.
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On the 4th day of September following, I was married, in Kirtland, to Miss Marinda N. Johnson, daughter of John and Elsa Johnson, by Elder Sidney Rigdon.

Elder S. Rigdon was its chief advocate there.
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Accordingly, I took up my abode in Mentor, in the house of Elder Sidney Rigdon, and began the study of English grammar under his tuition. Elder Rigdon took unwearied pains and care to instruct me in this elementary science.
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and in the fall of the year was ordained an elder in this new church, and went on a mission with Elder Rigdon to Elyria, Loraine County, and also to Florence in Huron County.
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Elder S. Rigdon, Gilbert and Whitney, and many others of my former friends had embraced the "Mormon" faith.
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Hence, I attended the Saints' meeting in Kirtland, Sunday, October 30, 1831, and offered myself a candidate for baptism, which was administered to me by the hands of Elder Sidney Rigdon; was confirmed and ordained an elder in the Church on the same day under the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and Sidney Rigdon.
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On the 4th day of September following, I was married, in Kirtland, to Miss Marinda N. Johnson, daughter of John and Elsa Johnson, by Elder Sidney Rigdon.

Elder S. Rigdon was its chief advocate there. Being forcibly struck with the doctrine of immersion or baptism for the remission of sins, and many other important items of doctrine which were advocated by this new sect, and which were passed over by the Methodists as not essential, I left the Methodists and became a convert to this new faith.

Feeling that one day I might be called to advocate it, and feeling my great deficiency in learning, I resolved to go to school. Accordingly, I took up my abode in Mentor, in the house of Elder Sidney Rigdon, and began the study of English grammar under his tuition. Elder Rigdon took unwearied pains and care to instruct me in this elementary science."

"After spending several months in this way, studying day and night, I went two quarters to the Burton Academy and placed myself under the tuition of the preceptor, Reuben Hitchcock, Esq. (since judge of the court). Here I reviewed grammar, geography, arithmetic and rhetoric; then returned to Mentor and spent one season with a young man by the name of Matthew J. Clapp, at his father's house, where the public library was kept. Here I read history and various other works, scientific and literary; and in the fall of the year was ordained an elder in this new church, and went on a mission with Elder Rigdon to Elyria, Loraine County, and also to Florence in Huron County.
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Elder S. Rigdon, Gilbert and Whitney, and many others of my former friends had embraced the `Mormon' faith.
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Hence, I attended the Saints' meeting in Kirtland, Sunday, October 30, 1831, and offered myself a candidate for baptism, which was administered to me by the hands of Elder Sidney Rigdon; was confirmed and ordained an elder in the Church on the same day under the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and Sidney Rigdon.
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On the 4th day of September following, I was married, in Kirtland, to Miss Marinda N. Johnson, daughter of John and Elsa Johnson, by Elder Sidney Rigdon.

They preached in the Methodist Chapel, and from certain indications, conceiving the might do more good otherwheres, departed for Kirtland, where is a common stock family, under the charge of Elder Rigdon, a Campbellite leader of some notoriety. Henry Harrison Clapp, an eye-witness, said in 1879, that "The four Mormons came to Mr. Rigdon's Wednesday evening (I think). Then Thursday morning he came to my father's with the wondrous announcement [of the Mormon revelation]...
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If Rigdon preached in Ashtabula on the evening of the 22nd, stayed for the night, and then returned to the Painesville-Mentor area on the 23rd or 24th (in time for Sunday services), he may well have traveled the same road, going in the same direction, as the four Mormon missionaries -- and, at about the same time.
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The Painesville Telegraph of this morning has the particulars of the acceptance of a challenge by Thomas Campbell, given by a noted mountebank by the name of Elder Rigdon, who has flourished in and about the "openings," for the last few years, and to the no small wonderment of all the old women round about that country, to test the validity of the doctrine contained in the Book of Mormon!
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Mr. Editor: -- Elder S. Rigdon left this village on Monday morning last in the stage, for the "Holy Land," where all the "Golden Bible" converts, have recently received a written commandment from God, through Jo Smith, junior, to repair with all convenient speed after selling off their property.
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This command was at first resisted by such as had property, (the brethren from the neighboring counties being all assembled by special summons,) but after a night of fasting, prayer and trial, they all consented to obey the holy messenger. -- Rigdon has for some time past been arranging matters with Smith for the final departure of the faithful for the "far west.
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The man of many CREEDS, (Rigdon) appears to possess colloquial powers to a considerable degree, and before leaving this vicinity left us his blessing. He delivered a discourse at the Court House immediately preceding his departure, wherein he depicted in strong language, the want of "charity and brotherly love" among the prevailing sects and denominations of professing christians, and sorry I am to admit, that he had too much truth on his side with regard to this particular. After denouncing dreadful vengeance on the whole state of New-York, and this village in particular, and recommending to all such as wished to flee from "the wrath to come," to follow him beyond the "western waters," he took his leave. The Prophet, Spouse, and whole "holy family" (as they style themselves,) will follow Rigdon, so soon as their deluded or hypothetical followers, shall be able to dispose of what little real property they possess in this region: one farm (Whitmers) was sold a few days ago for $2,300.
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From Painesville they proceeded to Kirtland, where there was a Campbellite Society under the charge of Elder Rigdon. Immediately after their arrival Elder Rigdon embraced the new doctrine and was baptized for the third time -- once as a regular Baptist -- once as a Campbellite -- and now as a disciple of the new revelation. Most of his flock followed their shepherd, and went down into the water for the second, and some for the third time. The three fanatics, after converting Elder Rigdon and his society, left Ohio for a country they know not where, west of the Mississippi where they say is a holy spot, and there they are to establish a New-Jerusalem.

The Campbellites are followers of the Rev. Alexander Campbell, who has made some disturbance among the Baptist Churches in the Western States. He calls himself a baptist but his opinions are so extravagant and unscriptural, that all the regular Baptists disown and oppose him. If he is not misrepresented, he maintains that sins are forgiven only by and through baptism (immersion); that baptism literally drowns sin; -- that the Holy Spirit is never received by any one until he has been baptized, and that none go to heaven except those who have been baptized (immersed).
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The watchers had been instructed when the fever turned to send for Jo and Rigdon.
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Note: The Campbellite "champion of the cause" referred to above was, of course, Elder Sidney Rigdon of Mentor, Ohio.

Andrew L. Lamoreaux sworn; said that in 1839 or '40, while President Joseph Smith, Elder Rigdon, Judge Higbee, O. P. Rockwell, and Dr. R. D. Foster, while on their way to Washington, called at witness' house in Dayton, Ohio; that the evening was spent very agreeably, except some dissatisfaction on the part of certain females with regard to the conduct of Dr. Foster.
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Elder S. Rigdon was its chief advocate there. Being forcibly struck with the doctrine of immersion or baptism for the remission of sins, and many other important items of doctrine which were advocated by this new sect, and which were passed over by the Methodists as not essential, I left the Methodists and became a convert to this new faith.

Feeling that one day I might be called to advocate it, and feeling my great deficiency in learning, I resolved to go to school. Accordingly, I took up my abode in Mentor, in the house of Elder Sidney Rigdon, and began the study of English grammar under his tuition. Elder Rigdon took unwearied pains and care to instruct me in this elementary science.
...
Here I read history and various other works, scientific and literary; and in the fall of the year was ordained an elder in this new church, and went on a mission with Elder Rigdon to Elyria, Loraine County, and also to Florence in Huron County.
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Elder S. Rigdon, Gilbert and Whitney, and many others of my former friends had embraced the Mormon faith.
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Hence, I attended the Saints' meeting in Kirtland, Sunday, October 30, 1831, and offered myself a candidate for baptism, which was administered to me by the hands of Elder Sidney Rigdon; was confirmed and ordained an elder in the Church on the same day under the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and Sidney Rigdon.
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On the 4th day of September following, I was married, in Kirtland, to Miss Marinda N. Johnson, daughter of John and Elsa Johnson, by Elder Sidney Rigdon.

Note: The report on Elder Sidney Rigdon's "filling the office of first President" in the LDS Church was premature.Rigdon was excommunicated on Sept. 8th by a Bishop's Court at Nauvoo, which acted upon charges brought by Brigham Young's Quorum of the Twelve.
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Elder Rigdon said that he never felt happier, but his happiness appeared to me like the blaze from shavings lively and brilliant, but of short duration.I do not think he intends to publish so much as he talked of."He said here to Bro.Small that to tell the truth, it is not necessary to build the temple" for said he, "if the temple is built the Twelve have no power to administer the endowment."He said to Bro.Small, that Emma came to him on the morning of his leaving and told him that it was her intention to go with him and that the new translation and other important and sacred things, she should deliver up to him.Clapp, a merchant on Main Street came down with us.He appeared to side with Elder Rigdon.He seemed to me to be a snake in the grass.There is no dependence to be placed in him in my opinion.The brethren here appeared all warm for the Twelve.I sent on an appointment by Elder Hollister to Cincinatti for Sunday Week.Next Sunday I preach here.It was a very swift boat on which Elder Hollister went out on, this morning; but Elder Rigdon did not go out on it for the berths were all engaged.He has gone to a very slow boat that will go out this evening or tomorrow.I sent on letters to Pittsburg by Elder Hollister.I preached in town last evening and a very good feeling prevailed.I sent down to the boat and invited Elder Rigdon to attend but he did not leave the boat, was sick with the dioarhea and vomited most of the night, so he told me.
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Elder Rigdon told Bro.Small that he had organized the "School of the Prophets" in Nauvoo and left them to carry on the work there and he was going to Pittsburg to carry on the work there.Bro.
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This pattern of portraying known falsehood as unmitigated truth, in the case of Elder Sidney Rigdon, was apparently merely part of a larger effort by those same leaders to hide the practice of Mormon polygamy and to discredit Rigdon's early exposure of that secret religious practice at Nauvoo.
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==> Elder S. Rigdon, the great Mormon orator, is lecturing at Boston.
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==> Two of the Twelve persons who rule the spiritual destinies of Nauvoo and who constitute the head of the Mormon church since the death of the Smiths, arrived here on Saturday last; they are on their way to visit some of the eastern branches of the church, where Rigdon or seceding doctrines are said to be getting too strong a hold upon the meek and lowly followers of the Holy Joseph. -- These missionaries are going on for the purpose of enlightening and preaching to them the true faith.
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THE MORMONS. -- We learn from the Warsaw Signal that most of the friends of Rigdon, who still remain in Nauvoo, have been despoiled of their property, and live in constant fear of their lives.