Skip to content
  • Give me access to SECRET EPISODES
  • Episodes
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Subscribe
  • Episodes
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Subscribe
  • Give me access to SECRET EPISODES
PrevPrevious EpisodeSteve Shields own Divergent Path (Part 2)
Next ExpisodeConspiracy Theories: Sam Smith, William Smith, James Strang (Part 4)Next

Sidney’s Unsung Role in Restoration (Part 3)

Table of Contents: Sidney’s Unsung Role in Restoration (Part 3)

Click to Support
Gospel Tangents

Historian Steve Shields tells us that Sidney’s unsung role in the early Church was larger than LDS or RLDS historians have acknowledged.  When Sidney joined with Joseph, Sidney’s followers overwhelmed the small group of Smith followers.  Should it be called the Smith-Ridgon movement?

YouTube player

Steve:      But, eventually, the Rigdon followers outnumber the Smith followers five or six to one. And so, I argue it really ought to be called the Smith-Rigdon Movement rather than the Latter-day Saint movement. Because in the beginning the word “Latter-day Saint” wasn’t even there, and it was Rigdon who came up with that.

GT:  Oh, it was?

Steve: Oh yeah.

GT:  Oh really?

Steve: [In] 1834 Rigdon announces that the church will now be called the Church of the Latter-day Saints.

GT:  I knew that they changed the name, but I didn’t know Rigdon was behind it.

Steve: Oh yeah.

Who else were highly influenced by Rigdon?  Do you think Sidney’s role has been downplayed in the modern LDS and RLDS Churches?  Check out our conversation….

Don’t forget to check out our other conversations with Steve!

225: Steve’s Shields Own Divergent Path

224: Who Owns the Temple Lot?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:03 — 19.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Love this? Donate or Subscribe

Do you love the friendly, non-bashing interviews about Mormonism here on Gospel Tangents? 
Please show your support for Gospel Tangents by becoming a donor or subscriber:

Make me a Donor
Make me a Subscriber
No related products found.

More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • Murderous Mormon Mayhem (Part 8 of 8)
  • Para-Church Mormon Groups (Part 7 of 8)
  • Female Priesthood, Cutlerite Endowment, & House of Aaron (Part 6 of 8)
  • Fundamentalists and Cutlerites (Part 5 of 8)
  • Conspiracy Theories: Sam Smith, William Smith, James Strang (Part 4)

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Steve Shields
  • Denomination: Brighamites, Josephites, Rigdonites, RLDS/CoC
  • LDS Leaders, Succession Crisis
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History, Sidney Rigdon
  • Tags: Brigham Young, GT Podcast, iTunes, Mormon schisms, Sidney Rigdon

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeSteve Shields own Divergent Path (Part 2)
Next ExpisodeConspiracy Theories: Sam Smith, William Smith, James Strang (Part 4)Next
Historian Steve Shields argues that Sidney's Unsung Role in the Restoration should be more widely acknowledged by LDS and RLDS historians.
  • Date: December 13, 2018
  • Guest: Steve Shields
  • Denomination: Brighamites, Josephites, Rigdonites, RLDS/CoC
  • LDS Leaders, Succession Crisis
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History, Sidney Rigdon
  • Tags: Brigham Young, GT Podcast, iTunes, Mormon schisms, Sidney Rigdon
  • Posted By: RickB

Subscribe

I passed my class! Please help support Gospel Tangents and subscribe to the podcast!

Rick Bennett, Host

Rick Bennett is the friendly host of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. Book Rick for your fireside or conference.

More Interviews

  • Ben Spackman
  • David Ostler
  • Denver Snuffer
  • Lachlan McKay
  • Lindsay Hansen Park
  • Margaret Toscano
  • Richard Bushman
  • Sally Gordon
  • Terryl Givens
  • Ugo Perego...
View all 100+ Interviewees

Proud to be an Amazon Associate

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Subscribe

Go ad-free, get written transcripts, and talk to Rick one-on-one!
Stop Seeing Ads

Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

Contact Rick
Book Rick for your Event
Podcast Episodes
0 +
People Interviewed
0 +
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Fan Shop
  • Book Rick
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Fan Shop
  • Book Rick
  • Contact Us
Copyright 2025, Gospel Tangents. All Rights Reserved.