The Return of Sidney Rigdon, Gods Spokesman.. Part 3

The Return of Sidney Rigdon, Gods Spokesman"This is the testimony last of all that WE give of Him.."Tribute to Sidney Rigdon by Onewhoiswatching Part 3

Before we review the last six of the twelve sections that we are using to create a profile of Brother Sidney lets just briefly review what we learned from the last first six sections that we highlighted in part 2 of this tribute to one of the greatest prophets that every lived.

The first day Joseph and Sidney met each other the revelation known today as section 35 commanded Sidney to;

• Watch over Joseph
• Write for Joseph
• Tarry with Joseph
• Journey with Joseph
• Preach the Gospel
• Use the Bible to prove the revelations Joseph was bringing forth

This revelation began about a six or seven year period during which these two people became inseparable.

In the early years of the restoration movement, Joseph would bring forth the word of God while Sidney would declare, proclaim, expound upon it and prove it.

Section 35 also implies that the baptisms Sidney performed prior to joining the church and being ordained were accepted by God. If that is true, he obviously held a sacred priesthood by right of lineage.

Have you ever wondered why God found it necessary in section 68 of the D&C to state that those who are literal firstborn descendants of Aaron have a legal right to the Bishopric without needing to be ordained?

"There remain hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other bishops to be set apart unto the church, to minister even according to the first; Wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood, except they be literal descendants of Aaron. And if they be literal descendants of Aaron they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron; For the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of Aaron." D&C 68:16-18

I could never understand why God provided the above information since it never appeared to be applicable to anyone in the Church. I am not aware of anyone being given the right of the Presiding Bishopric without being ordained because they could prove that they were a literal firstborn descendant of Aaron.

After careful study, the above declaration from God now appears as if it may have been  referring to Sidney Rigdon who was referred to as "Bishop Rigdon" and was performing acceptable baptisms prior to joining the restored church:

I believe that Sidney Rigdon was indeed, among other things, a literal, firstborn descendent of Aaron.

That may be why his baptisms were accepted by the Lord God of Israel as valid preparatory baptisms, before joining the church. Notice that even though the First Presidency can set apart High Priests to minister as Bishops, only the literal firstborn descendants of Aaron actually hold the legal right to the office, to hold the keys of that priesthood.

Additionally, we are going to be reviewing in this 3rd part of this tribute to Sidney how modern revelation identifies Sidney as the Spokesman spoken of in ancient prophecy.

Continuing with our review of part 2, in section 36 containing a revelation given to Edward Partridge, the Lord promised to lay his hands on Edward through the hands of Sidney Rigdon.

This provides another strong indicator that Sidney had special rights possibly relating to his priesthood lineage. A lineage that also had to do with the privilege given to him to consecrate and dedicate Zion and the spot for the Temple.

Sidney’s knowledge and eloquence as well as his lineage prepared him to become the defender of the faith both internally within the church as well as externally. Externally, he was the one that would usually debate the scoffers who were spreading rumors and challenging the doctrines set forth in modern revelations and the book of Mormon.

Internally, he was required to provide a checks and balances for new doctrine. He was required to prove the revelations Joseph smith brought forth using the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

We are informed that Sidney would be doing an even greater work wherein he would be bestowing the Holy Ghost and enjoying the spiritual manifestations and accompanying miracles just like the apostles of old.

We are informed that Sidney would be doing his work in the 3^rd watch when the folly of the gentiles is made manifest… we are seeing the beginning of the folly of the gentiles right now… the financial meltdown that our nation and other gentile nations are  going through right now is just the beginning of the problems we are facing as we get ready for the dispensation of the fullness of times to usher in and the Marvelous Work to begin..

With these things in mind, lets resume building our profile of Sidney Rigdon by reviewing six more incredible sections in the D&C.

Section 76

Joseph and Sidney spiritual eyes opened
saw & understood the things of God
bore witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Conversed with Christ in a heavenly vision

We, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, being in the Spirit on the sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two— By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God—

Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from beginning; Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision.

How many of the early Elders of the Church had the opportunity to have the eyes of their understandings enlightened so as to see and understand the things of God?

How many of them saw and understood the things of God that were from the beginning, before the world was?

How many were able to converse with Christ in heavenly vision?

Why was Sidney Rigdon privileged to share this magnificent vision in concert with Joseph Smith?

Here is an account given by someone the day the vision took place at the John Johnson home;

"February 16, 1832, Hiram, Ohio. Philo Dibble called at the John Johnson home, knowing that the Prophet Joseph Smith was living there with his family.

He was directed to an upper room where Joseph, Sidney Rigdon, and several other men were seated.

Joseph and Sidney seemed surrounded in magnificent glory, and a sense of power filled the room. Joseph appeared to be dressed in white, though in fact he wore a black suit.

Dibble watched for more than an hour.

Joseph would say,

“What do I see?” and describe what he was seeing.

Sidney would reply, “I see the same.”

Then Sidney would make a similar statement, and Joseph would reply “I see the same.”

This is one of the greatest testaments that Sidney Rigdon was a co-prophet and co-revelator with Joseph Smith.

Notice the interesting format where Sidney would confirm what Joseph saw and then Joseph would confirm what Joseph saw.

I believe the Lord had these two brothers use this format not only to comply with the law of two or three witnesses, but also to confirm by the mouth of Joseph Smith that Sidney Rigdon was also a prophet and revelator and that he saw the exact same things in vision that Joseph saw.

Section 76 is a standing witness to everyone that sustains Joseph Smith as the prophet of the restoration and that Sidney Rigdon was a prophet and revelator as well.

Section 76 leaves us without excuse in knowing that Sidney Rigdon, the spokesman was indeed a prophet of God.

Section 76 continued

Joseph & Sidney beheld the glory of the Son
and received of the fullness of the Son

For while we were doing the work of translation, which the Lord had appointed unto us, we came to the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth chapter of John, which was given unto us as follows— Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice of the Son of Man:

And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of the Just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust. Now this caused us to marvel, for it was given unto us of the Spirit.

And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.

And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness; And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever.

Do we even comprehend what it means to behold the glory of the Son and receive of his fullness?

I realize there have been and currently are false prophets among us that claim they have had this experience, but it is my belief that there have not been people since Joseph and Sidney who have  experienced this sacred honor?

It is unfortunate how disrespectful the official church history is in how they characterize Sidney Rigdon. Should we not be very careful how we judge the Lords anointed servants who have experienced these kinds of things?

Section 76 continued

Joseph & Sidney were honored to
give the LAST testimony

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

Have you ever wondered why God wanted two people to bear that testimony to the World?

Have you ever wondered why God Chose Sidney Rigdon to share this vision and this testimony with Joseph? Why didn't the Lord have Oliver share this vision with Joseph?

Oliver knelt down next to Joseph to receive the Priesthood from heavenly messengers at the beginning of the restoration of the Church and he knelt down again next to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, about six years later and saw a vision of Christ and three other ministering angels.

Wouldn't Oliver Cowdery have been the logical choice to share in the Vision and the Testimony with Brother Joseph rather than sandwiching Sidney Rigdon in there for that great honor?

For that matter, why didn't the Lord choose Brigham Young to share that testimony to the world with Joseph Smith if he was to be the legal successor to Joseph Smith

There were numerous other individuals that played prominent roles in the restoration movement. Why weren't any of them chosen for this great honor?

I Believe these are questions worth pondering.

But here is the $64 question. Why did Joseph and Sidney state, under the influence of the Spirit, that their testimony was the testimony LAST OF ALL!

How could theirs be the last of all testimonies?

That doesn't seem accurate does it? After all, look at all of the presidents of the Church that have born testimony over the last 176 years since that vision took place that Christ lives and that he is the only begotten of the Father...

I know what you are probably thinking and you are right. Those testimonies don't count in the same sense that Joseph and Sidney's did because there has never been a President of the Church that has publicly declared that he has personally seen Jesus Christ.

That is because they haven't.


Besides the fact that they have not publicly declared to have seen God, it is also possible to discern who the false prophets are by the doctrine they teach.


Did you realize that there were other people that saw Christ during the Kirtland Era?

Most of these people saw Christ after the vision and the testimony that is stated in section 76.

Zebedee Coltrin was one of several people who also saw Jesus Christ and bore testimony of it. His vision took place a year after section 76 was given, and as mentioned above, Oliver Cowdery also had a joint vision of Christ with Joseph Smith four years after Joseph and Sidney did.

The simple fact of the matter is that the testimony that is binding upon this world is the one given by Joseph the Seer and Sidney the Spokesman in section 76.

It is incredibly important to realize that their testimony incorporated the knowledge of what the fullness of the gospel is.

"..and the record which we bare is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision"

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon will return in their 2nd Commission during the 3rd Watch to finish their missions and to bear that exact same testimony for the last time to the last generation of people living on this earth. It will be the last testimony.

"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established..." (2nd Cor 13)

The testimony in section 76 provides evidence that there is going to be a second commission in the 3rd Watch so that Joseph and Sidney will be able to provide the very last warning and the last testimony to the last generation of people.

These two anointed servants of the Lord shall be returning to bear that testimony to the world again.. for the last time.

Interestingly, as we are compiling this profile of Sidney Rigdon, we are finding evidence that appears to be indicating that Joseph may well be in the background as an administrator receiving and translating records while Brother Sidney and others are declaring the word, preaching the gospel and taking it with the help of fellow laborers to the ends of the earth.

Are you ready to receive it?

Will you accept their invitation to repent?

When the great polarizing event of the Marvelous Work unfolds will you choose to labor for money or for Zion?

Section 90

Sidney & Frederick forgiven of their sins
They are equal with Joseph
in holding the keys of the kingdom

"And again, verily I say unto thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, their sins are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom"

Of course it should come as no surprise to us that Sidney Rigdon is one the chosen few that is made equal with Brother Joseph in jointly holding the keys of the kingdom. He was never removed from his office by the Lord. But the following declaration provides a huge key to understanding the role of the first presidency of the church in the 3rd Watch:

Section 90 continued

Sidney Rigdon and the First Presidency
jointly hold keys of School of the Prophets

"As also through your [Joseph Smith] administration the keys of the school of the prophets, which I have commanded to be organized; That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as will believe;

That through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration [Sidney and Frederick] the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews.

And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation."

Amazing.

For those who understand the concept of the three watches and how much of the revelations contained in the D&C refer to events in the upcoming marvelous work, section 90 helps to unlock the mystery of who Sidney Rigdon is and what his future role will be.

When the Marvelous Work begins in the 3rd Watch, Joseph Smith who jointly holds the keys of the school of the prophets with Sidney Rigdon will still preside over the school of the prophets just as he did in the 2^nd watch. He will also be responsible for delivering the word to Sidney and Frederick.

Sidney and Frederick will be responsible for sending the word to the ends of the earth!

Once that has been accomplished, the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power and the Gospel will go forth to the Jews and the house of Joseph which have been assimilated into the heathen nations!

Just as the Gospel was sent to the Gentiles first and then to the scattered remnants of Israel and Judah among the Gentile nations in the 2nd Watch, it will again go first to the Gentile nations and then to the Jews in the 3rd Watch!

As you can see, the unconditional promise of the Lord is that Brother Sidney will preside with Brother Joseph in the 3rd Watch just as he did in the 2nd Watch.

Ridgon was the principle instructor of the School of the Prophets. The School of the Prophets began in Kirtland in Jan 24 1833.

Much instruction was received by the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the instruction is the seven part series of theological lectures given by Rigdon which have become known as the “Lectures on Faith”.

Many LDS historians now agree that Sidney Rigdon probably authored the Lectures on Faith that he taught to the school of the Prophets or possibly co-authored them with Joseph.

Clearly the content is inspired and probably much of this knowledge was gained through the joint vision that Joseph and Sidney had..

Few people realize that the Lectures on Faith developed and taught by Rigdon were originally included in the “Doctrine and Covenants” and in fact they were the “Doctrine” part of the “Doctrine and Covenants”. The revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith were the “Covenants” part of it.

The 1835 First Presidency had designated the lectures “The Doctrine of the Church of the Latter Day Saints”.

The second part of the Book, the portion that comprises the scriptures in our current editions was labeled “PART SECOND COVENANTS AND COMMANDMENTS”.

Both the Lectures on Faith and the revelations received by Joseph Smith were sustained as the word of God. Indeed Joseph Smith underscored his personal support of the lectures by noting in the introduction to the 1835 edition that he and and his brethren on the scriptures committee took “the responsibility for every principle advanced”

The inspired introduction to the original Doctrine and Covenants makes no distinction between the inspirational quality of the lectures which occupied the “doctrine” in the first portion of the cannon, and the revelations which occupied the second portion of the cannon of scripture.

Again, this was indicative of the roles Joseph and Sidney had, Joseph was the prophetic revelator that prophesied and brought forth revelation, Sidney was the inspired doctrinal scholar that proved and declared the revelations using his inspired understanding of the Old and New Testaments.

Sidney was a revelator just as Joseph was, but his gift of revelation usually came through the still small voice and it seemed to be limited to proving and expounding on the existing scriptures and the revelations brought forth by Joseph rather than revealing new doctrine or translating ancient documents.

As we shall see in later sections, the salvation of the Church was predicated on getting the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible published to the world.

Until the Saints of that generation sacrificed financially to get the inspired version of the Bible published, they were not allowed to have the mysteries that were contained therein.

Since the saints of that generation never did provide sufficient support, the Joseph Smith  Inspired Version of the Bible was never made available to them, nor were Joseph and Sidney allowed to share very much about the corrections and additions contained in it to the Saints even though it was finished!

Sidney very possibly played a huge role in writing the inspired translation of the Bible as well as bringing forth the Lectures on Faith. Both of these publications represented the “key of knowledge” that unlocks the meaning of the other cannons of scripture.

It is interesting to note that the inspired version of the Bible was never published to the world under the direction of God's servant, as commanded and the Lectures on Faith has been treated lightly by the Saints.

In 1921 after the minds of the Latter day Saints had become sufficiently darkened, the Church took the Lectures on Faith out of the "Doctrine and Covenants" and described them to be a work that was “profitable” to the student of the scriptures but not worthy to be included with them.

It is hard to believe that authorities in high places would have the audacity to transfigure the holy word of God. The Lord God of Israel had prophesied to Joseph Smith that “through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea, even unto the church” .

God had given the ominous warning about how to treat the oracles:

“And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house.”

Were those in high places who took the doctrine out of the Doctrine and Covenants guilty of treating the oracles of God as a light thing?

What about those of us that don't search the scriptures (as they existed at time of the martyrdom) and don't exercise the faith to believe that all of the unconditional promises contained therein will come to pass? Are we taking the oracles of God lightly?

As pointed out earlier, the Lectures on Faith were contained first in the Doctrine and Covenants to enlighten the minds of the readers and give them the faith and understanding of the nature and attributes of God so that they would be able to understand and believe the revelations brought forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith.

It is a very serious thing to alter or withhold the scriptures in such a way as to prevent people from understanding the things of God.

In the inspired version it reveals that the leadership of the Jews in the meridian of time prevented the Saints from understanding the scriptures by holding back some of the things revealed in the scriptures:

“Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge, the fullness of the scriptures; ye enter not in yourselves into the kingdom; and those who were entering in, ye hindered.” JST Luke 11:53

It is interesting to note that God refers to the JST Inspired Version of the Bible as the “fullness of the scriptures” in section 35 and in an obscure unpublished revelation that we shall review later in this tribute, he refers to it as the “key of knowledge”.

Section 93

Just as Christ was rejected
when he proclaimed the acceptable year
to his home congregation
Later he was accepted by the Nephites
When he delivered the gospel to them

Sidney Rigdon would be rejected
by the Saints in the 2^nd Watch

He will be accepted by many
of the Saints in the 3^rd Watch

"let my servant Sidney Rigdon go on his journey, and make haste, and also proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the gospel of salvation, as I shall give him utterance; and by your prayer of faith with one consent I will uphold him."

Who is this man Sidney Rigdon?

Why of all the servants of the Lord was he so blessed and honored? Why was he chosen to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord?

By doing a key word search of the phrase “acceptable year of the Lord” in the scriptures we can identify the original prophecy of Isaiah and also the first fulfillment of it in the life of Jesus Christ.

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied of the time that Gods servant would proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”. (Isa 61)

As with virtually all prophecies, this prophecy was to have multiple fulfillments. You will recall that Christ revealed to the Nephites that every promise Isaiah made has been and shall be. All of the prophecies of Isaiah would be fulfilled prior to Christ's appearance to the Nephites and they would all have a fulfillment after it.

This proves that although Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecy, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord in the meridian of time, there would be another one that would proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord in the last days. This revelation reveals that Sidney Rigdon is the one to fulfill it!

As previously mentioned, one of the fulfillments of Isaiah’s prophesy took place in the New Testament when Christ went to visit the congregation he grew up in. When he uttered those words, the congregation rejected him and wanted to kill him:

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias.

And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:19)

Later, the Saviour would ride into Jerusalem and prophesy that destruction would befall the inhabitants thereof because they were too blind to see the day of their visitation:

"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” (Luke 19)

Little did Brother Sidney realize the ominous omen that was being placed upon his head when the Lord gave him the honor of declaring the acceptable day of the Lord to the World and to the Saints.

As we shall see, he was eventually rejected by many of the Saints in the 2^nd Watch… and he shall proclaim the acceptable day of the Lord again in the 3^rd Watch.

Are you ready for the great calamity that is coming? Have you prepared your heart and your mind for the controversy of Zion which is about to unfold before your very eyes?

Truly a prophet has no honor in his own country among his own people.

When Joseph came to Kirtland from New York he was somewhat of a novelty to the congregations that had been prepared by Sidney Rigdon. He was held in high esteem. Although Sidney was loved by them, it is possible if not likely that he did not have the same honor the Joseph was given. "Thus Sayeth the Lord" revelation is much more impressive than the still small voice and besides, as they say, familiarity breeds contempt.

The time would come when members of the Lords congregation that Sidney prepared for the restoration of the Gospel would reject him. A time was fast approaching when Sidney Rigdon would return to the people of his congregation and some would be angry with him and reject him.

Just as the New Testament Jews rejected the Gospel and the messenger of the Gospel because they knew not the time of their visitation, the Gentiles of the 2^nd Watch would also sin against the gospel just as the Book of Mormon prophesies, and reject the messengers of the Gospel.

Although Christ prophesied that the Jews would be smitten and destroyed within one generation of their sin, Christ prophesied in modern revelation that the Saints of the LDS restoration movement would have their time extended to four generations.

Just as Moses prevented the Children of Israel from being wiped off of the face of the earth by the wrath of God by interceding and offering himself as an atonement, we shall see that a similar atonement would be made for the Latter day Saints that would delay the judgments of God. At the end of four generations, the Latter day Saints and this nation is to be warned, then judged.

A great controversy is about to take place in this great land, will you recognize who the true messengers of God are? Will you recognize the time of your visitation? If the primary messenger that brings the message of salvation to you seems like an un-credible messenger based on the traditions of your fathers that you have been taught, will you judge the messenger or the message?

Section 100

God ordains Sidney to be a spokesman
God ordains Joseph to be a revelator

Joseph is mighty in testimony
Sidney is mighty in expounding all scriptures

"And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people;

yea, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph.

And I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony.

And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures,

that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth."

In section 100 the Lord reiterates the reciprocal and synergistic relationship that Joseph and Sidney had with each other. Joseph was to be mighty in testimony in his calling as a prophet while Sidney was to be mighty in expounding all scriptures as the spokesman.

Joseph had the gift of prophecy;

Sidney had the gift of scriptural knowledge!

It should not come as a surprise that Sidney offered the keynote address at virtually every major event after he joined the Church and “Authored most of the consequential essays published in the Messenger and Advocate, the Mormon newspaper at Kirtland; preached at religious services, funerals, weddings, and other public functions; and bestowed personal blessings o grateful Saints…”

Sidney was also usually involved in the ordinations of Elders, “…On 13 January 1835, for example, all newly-elected members of the Kirtland High Council were ordained by Rigdon, Joseph Smith, and Hyrum Smith. Joseph Smith’s personal dairy records that “Many great and glorious blessings were pronounced upon the heads of these councilors by President Sidney Rigdon who was the spokesman of the occasion.”

Rigdon was the “principal instructor” of the School of the Prophets. Interestingly, much of that instruction came by “the gift of tongues and the interpretation thereof”.

Have you ever wondered who actually laid their hands on the head of Joseph Smith to ordain him ? You guessed it, Gods anointed spokesman, Sidney Rigdon “sealed upon his head the blessings he had formerly received” by revelation.

It is interesting to note that once Sidney joined the Church, he sealed virtually all of the priesthood blessings on Joseph Smith… it should also not be forgotten that Joseph sealed all of the keys and powers that he held on the head of Sidney Rigdon.

We shall see this when we review the events of the trial of Sidney Rigdon which people in high places suppressed for many years.

In addition to the obvious priesthood authority and spiritual gifts possessed by Rigdon, Sidney was second to none as a scriptural scholar, a great writer and a charismatic orator.

Perhaps one of the most dramatic examples of Sidney’s skills as a charismatic orator is illustrated in an evident when he, Joseph and others had been in the Liberty Jail and needed to present themselves for before the Judge to plead their case.

Although Joseph and the others hired the services of Alexander Doniphan, a dear friend who was a skilled and seasoned attorney, to make their plea for them, Rigdon opted to offer up his own defense.

After Donophan did his best and failed to obtain the release of Joseph and the others, Ridgon who had been suffering from illness was carried before the court on a stretcher to make his own defense;

In the words of Doniphan, who watched Rigdon work his magic- “Such a burst of eloquence it was never my fortune to listen to , at its close there was not a dry eye in the room, all were moved to tears.”

Judge Turnham affected by the persuasive narrative, admitted Sidney to bail and immediate release.

As soon as the magistrate had imposed his decision, a gentleman in the crowd stood and called out:

“We came here to do injury to this man. He is innocent of this crime, as has been made to appear. And now gentlemen, out with your money and help the man return to his destitute family.”

The spectators, most of them hardened Mormon haters contributed $100 to help Brother Sidney return to his family."

One can only wonder what was going through the minds of Joseph and the others as they were left behind to continue languishing in the jail.

Section 100 reminds us again that Sidney will become mighty in expounding the scriptures! This is another reference to the role Sidney will play in the 3rd watch.

Remember that God had previously told us that Sidney was to write for Joseph as he was translating the Bible from the bosom of God. This inspired version of the Bible was to come forth in the 3rd watch unto the salvation of the elect of God:

"And a commandment I give unto thee [Sidney] —that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect; For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure."

So important was the Inspired version of the scriptures that God had often sealed up the heavens because of the Saints unwillingness to provide financial support for Joseph and Sidney while working on them. In fact the Saints were warned that the Church would yet fail if the Church did not receive the scriptures:

“Brother Joseph Smith, Jr. said … that the promise of God was that the greatest blessings which God had to bestow should be given to those who contributed to the support of his family while he was translating the fulness of the Scriptures… that God had often sealed up the heavens because of covetousness in the Church … and except the Church receive the fulness of the Scriptures that they would yet fail.” (Far West Report, p. 16, quoted in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1938, p. 9.)

Catalogue in your mind how important the inspired version is and that it must come forth at a future time and that Sidney is the one what wrote them and will expound upon them and send them forth to the world.

Section 100 provides one of the most revealing proclamations about WHO Sidney Rigdon is when it identifies him as the SPOKESMAN.

Gods Spokesman… Sidney Rigdon connecting the dots

Section 100 is the first of two times that God identifies Sidney as the Spokesman in Modern Revelation. By doing so, the Lord reveals a great secret pertaining to the true prophetic  identity and calling of Sidney Rigdon.

Ancient Prophets had prophesied about the role that Sidney Rigdon would play in the 2^nd and 3^rd Watches. Sidney Rigdon had been specifically mentioned by Joseph of Egypt who had prophesied that in the last days there would rise up one like Moses who would have a spokesman just as Aaron was a spokesman for Moses!

Section 100 reveals that Sidney is the Spokesman spoken of in ancient scripture!

Before we analyze the ancient prophecy concerning Sidney Rigdon contained in the Book of Mormon and the JST inspired version of the Bible, lets review what God has said about Sidney pertaining to his role.

The promises to Sidney in section 100 builds upon the promises in section several other sections:

Section 35; Sidney would prove the words that Joseph utters through the words of the holy prophets", Sidney is responsible to write the inspired version of the Bible and to proclaim the gospel out of it.

Section 71; Sidney is to expound the mysteries in the scriptures

Section 90; Sidney will take the word to the ends of the earth

Section 93; He will be the one to proclaim the acceptable day of the Lord

Section 100; He will be mighty in expounding the mysteries out of Gods word and he is revealed as Gods Spokesman!

As part of Sidney's role as the Spokesman of the 3^rd watch, he will be the primary revealer of the inspired content in the inspired version of the Bible. 

Now lets review part of the ancient prophecy that identifies Joseph Smith as the Seer from the loins of Joseph and it identified Sidney Rigdon as the Spokesman from the loins of Judah.

Notice as we review the following section of scripture from the Book of Mormon that once we realize that the definition of “fruit of thy loins” evolves from a group of people to the individual known as Joseph the Seer in 2^nd Nephi 3:12, we can ascertain that the term “fruit of the loins of Judah” in the same verse must refer to a contemporary of Joseph Smiths. Eventually after reading the whole chapter and cross referencing by key word, key phrase and key topic it becomes apparent that the phrase fruit of the loins of Judah refers to the Spokesman.

Since latter day revelation reveals that Joseph is the Seer spoken of in this prophecy and that Sidney is the spokesman, we can identify the Spokesman Sidney Rigdon as being from the loins of Judah. 

In part 4 of this tribute I am going to briefly cover one of the deepest and most glorious doctrines I have discovered that pertains to the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

I am forced to do this because the character of Brother Joseph is really going to appear to take a beating in part 4 of this tribute. He will not be shown in the best light. In profiling Brother Sidney I have to highlight the fact that Sidney and all of the great prophets testified that the church, under the direction of Joseph Smith had gone into apostasy after the defilement of the Kirtland Temple and the failure of the Saints to consecrate and establish Zion.

I have alluded in other posts to the fact that after the Saints failed to redeem Zion by the appointed time, the Lord covered the eyes of the Lord's Seer. Following that, it appears as though Brother Joseph led the Church into an uninspired banking institution,  secret oaths and secret societies, the practice of spiritual wifery and the questionable doctrine regarding the nature of God as contained in the King Follett sermon.

Nevertheless, to cleanse my skirts from any blood associated with causing anyone to question the integrity, nobility and continuing role of Joseph Smith, I will be documenting several prophesies that speak of a scapegoat intercessor for the Latter day Saints in the same way that Moses provided an intercessory atonement for the Children of Israel... our ancestors.

This amazing offering that Joseph Smith made caused him to take upon himself the sins of latter day Israel and to prolong their days upon this earth..

Section 104

Sidney receives a blessing upon his seed
Like unto Father Abraham

"And now, verily I say unto you, concerning the properties of the order— Let my servant Sidney Rigdon have appointed unto him the place where he now resides, and the lot of the tannery for his stewardship, for his support while he is laboring in my vineyard, even as I will, when I shall command him. And let all things be done according to the counsel of the order, and united consent or voice of the order, which dwell in the land of Kirtland. And this stewardship and blessing, I, the Lord, confer upon my servant Sidney Rigdon for a blessing upon him, and his seed after him. And I will multiply blessings upon him, inasmuch as he will be humble before me."

As you can see, the Lord pronounced a blessing upon the seed of Sidney Rigdon.

Hmm... How many times in the scriptures does the Lord pronounce a blessing upon the seed of one of his servants? I would submit to you that he did not do it very often.... He does it with Noah and Abraham and Jacob. Not bad company for Brother Rigdon …. I would say.

This brings part 3 of my tribute to Sidney Rigdon to an end. I hope you have enjoyed reviewing the promises and related events in his life… I hope you have been edified and that your love for this servant of the Lord has been enhanced.

I hope the 12 sections of the D&C and related scriptures and historical events that we have highlighted to create a profile Sidney Rigdon have enhanced your understanding and appreciation for the latter day Spokeseman ... perhaps you have even had an epiphany pertaining to the role of Sidney Rigdon.

We have covered a lot of ground about what Gods word says about Brother Sidney. Perhaps one of the greatest keys in the scriptures are the ones that identify Sidney as the Spokesman prophesied about in ancient scripture..

This is a huge key in unlocking a great mystery of who Sidney Rigdon is!

I hope you can return and read part 4 of this tribute where we will review the profile and drill down a little deeper into the who Sidney Rigdon was and will be.

The Return of Sidney Rigdon, Gods Spokesman"This is the testimony last of all that WE give of Him.."Tribute to Sidney Rigdon by Onewhoiswatching Part 4

To be continued.... click here to view part 4