Year: 1877

he maoe tons.


We havtl -oLb- s -.
region of the Susquehanna, where the
Smiths were then digging for gold and
announcing that they were on track
of a book that would give an account
of the first settlement Of America. II
may also be noted that two years yet
elapsed before they finally got possess
sion of this book.


Now, as Spaulding's book can no.
where be found after having been TAX
en- to the establishment of Patterson
l. Lambdin, and nothing can be heard
Of 1t In its normal form after this time,
we are led to the irresistible conclusion
that the firm having meanwhile failed
in business, Lambdin had recourse to
the old manuscripts in his possession
for the purpose of raising little mon
ey. He considered Rigdon a proper
man to edit the book, and by altering
and embellishing he thought 1t might
be brought out with profit. Rigdon's
three years study of the bible would
seem fully short enough time IN which
to garble 1t and transfer 1t as he did
into the Mormon book. But the work
of editing had only fairly begun when
Lambdin died and left Rigdon the
sole proprietor. Then, 1t was doubt
less, that the thought occurred to the
latter Of bringing 1t out in mirac-
ulous manner. In this Rigdon showed
great wisdom, form no bother way could
the book have been published without
great sacrifice to the publisher. As
soon a. the matter Of miraculous pub
licaticn was conceived. Rigdon's mind
naturally turnedto the youthfulsmith
whose fame had already reached a
considerable distance. To Smith,
therefore, he went with his book COM
piled from the Manuscript Found"
and the bible, and gave il into the
prophets hands to be kept till the full
ness Of time should come and then an
nounccd to the world.


Riydon now returned to his flock in
Mentor and continued to prepare
their minds for the reception Of any
new doctrine that might come along.
As soon as the book was printed
which was done by Smith by borrow
ing money from rich farmer In the
neighborhood-Cowdry, another late
partner in the speculation, made his
appearance suddenly at Rigdon'.
house. Rigdon was very quickly con-
verted and repaired to the house OF
the smiths, more than three hundred
miles away, where he was immediate
ly made an elder, an high priest and
a scribe to the prophet, and received a
vision that his residence In Ohio was
the promised land Then followed
the immediate removal of the entire
Smith family to the promised. land.
Here the Mormon movement so we'll
known to history, was really inaug-
urated.


All the conclusions we have deduced
are strengthened by knowledge of
Rigdon's character. He was, in the
first place, exceedingly jealous, and
thought his abilities were not fully
appreciated in the Disciple movement.
He was, however, very ambitious and
desirous Of place. He could crafty
both these characterics by starting n
new movement. But here again he
was unfortunate in gaining the chief
honor, and after few years left the
church of the Latter Day Saints
and returned to his old home in Penn
sylvania, where he spent the last days
of his life as a confirmed atbesist. He
was accustomed to say at this period
that if he could have ten years more
of vigorous life he could overturn alb
religion.