The Fall of Sidney Rigdon

Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) was once a gospel preacher early in the Restoration Movement. Yet he is better known for his role in the history of the Mormon church. This man, who at one time was striving to preach the gospel according to the New Testament pattern, departed from the truth and became a prominent figure among the Mormons. How could such a thing happen?

Amos S. Hayden, author of Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, provides some insight into the fall of Sidney Rigdon.

Sidney RigdonNext morning, while Judge Clapp’s family were at breakfast, in came Rigdon, and in an excited manner said: ‘Two men came to my house last night on a c-u-r-i-o-u-s mission;’ prolonging the word in a strange manner. When thus awakened, all around the table looking up, he proceeded to narrate how some men in Palmyra, N.Y., had found, by direction of an angel, certain plates inscribed with mysterious characters; that by the same heavenly visitant, a young man, ignorant of letters, had been led into the secret of deciphering the writing on the plates; that it made known the origin of the Indian tribes; with other matters of great interest to the world, and that the discovery would be of such importance as to open the way for the introduction of the Millennium. Amazement!” (Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, p. 135-136).

Rigdon was immediately interested in this strange and new information that supposedly described the discovery of these plates with the bizarre inscriptions that would be “miraculously” translated into the book of Mormon. The alleged origins of the book of Mormon are far too unbelievable for most who hear of it. Yet Rigdon believed it. Why?

On his part, Rigdon, with pompous pretense, was travailing with expectancy of some great event soon to be revealed to the surprise and astonishment of mankind” (Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, p. 135).

Rigdon, like many of the disciples in the early days of the Restoration Movement, had a misconception about the Millennium. Misunderstanding the Bible prophecies and teachings about the end of the world, he was waiting for some new age to begin. As a result, he was susceptible to the false doctrines of the Mormons.

There are those who argue that it does not matter what one believes, so long as his belief does not lead him to sin. Yet the Bible shows us that having misconceptions on a matter of doctrine places one at risk of abandoning the faith. Notice some examples:

  • The Deity of Christ – Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). You may notice in your Bible that the word “He” is italicized, which means it was added by the translators. Jesus really said, “Unless you believe that I am… you will die in your sins.” He was referring to the name of God which was told to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:13-14). Jesus used this same language later in this chapter (John 8:56-58) whenHe claimed to be God. The Jews understood this and wanted to kill Him for it (John 8:59). The deity of Christ is a point of doctrine. Yet Jesus said that if one does not believe the truth on this point of doctrine, he will be lost.
  • The Days of Creation – The Bible describes how God created the universe in six, literal, consecutive, 24-hour days*. Yet some, in an attempt to harmonize the Bible with “science,” have argued that the days of Genesis 1 were long ages of time. Paul warned Timothy about putting too much faith in “science”: “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’ [science, KJV]—which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith” (1 Timothy 6:20-21). Regarding the origins of life, science cannot provide a definitive answer. The theory of evolution was not always around. Given enough time, a new theory will one day replace it. If we do not guard against the ever-changing “truth” of science and worldly knowledge, we will be in danger of straying from the faith.
  • The Nature of Christ’s Sacrifice – The idea that Jesus died “in our stead” as a substitute for us is quite popular. However, the Scriptures teach that Jesus’ death was an atonement sacrifice, not a substitution**. The danger of holding the doctrinal position that Jesus died in our place, receiving the penalty that was due us for our sin, can be seen in the denominational world. This substitution theory is part of a doctrinal system we often call Calvinism. Calvinism teaches us that because of Jesus’ death, the few that are saved cannot be lost – grace is irresistible and unconditional. Many people believe this and, as a result, they believe they can sin with impunity. However, Paul plainly condemned this justification for sin (Romans 6:1-2). We are to “lay aside… sin” (Hebrews 12:1), not embrace it. Yet one who believes the wrath of God has been removed by Christ dying in our place – rather than delayed by His atonement sacrifice – will be more susceptible to temptation since, as he believes, the penalty for sin has been removed.
  • The A.D. 70 Doctrine – This preterist doctrine has been appearing in various parts of the country recently. The doctrine states that the end of the world, the second coming, and the resurrection are already past, having occurred at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70***. Is there a danger in believing something like this? Paul warned of certain men, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who were teaching one of the same points as the preterists – the resurrection was past. Notice what Paul said of them: “Men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:18). Believing this doctrinal misconception about the resurrection could overthrow (KJV) someone’s faith. Does it matter what we believe? Absolutely!

We need to take these warnings to heart – those warnings found in Scripture and those we can learn about through history. If we have a misconception on some point of doctrine, we could potentially be in danger of further sin and ultimately departing from the faith altogether. We must heed Paul’s warning:

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

In the context of the things that have come from God (by revelation of the Spirit and the teachings of inspired men), we must be careful what we hear and believe. We must “examine everything carefully” according to the word of God. Once we do that, we must “hold fast” to the truth and reject error in all its forms. Continued growth in knowledge and understanding is necessary (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:18). The more we know and understand the word of God, the safer we are against sin and error.

Remember the fall of Sidney Rigdon. Do not allow a misunderstanding of a certain point of doctrine  lead you to abandon the truth.

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* Must the Days of Genesis 1 be Interpreted Literally?

** Whose Place Did Jesus Take on the Cross?

*** The A.D. 70 Doctrine


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