“[Rigdon] related a vision which he said the Lord had shown him concerning the situation of the Church, and said there must be a guardian appointed to build the Church up to Joseph as he had begun it.” — Leo Hawkins¹

Sidney Rigdon sought to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Joseph’s death. He claimed he had a revelation from God in which he was told to be the Church’s guardian until Joseph was resurrected.¹ He also believed his membership in the First Presidency meant he was the logical successor to lead the Church. However, the apostles were concerned about his rejection of key teachings and Joseph’s diminished reliance on him.² Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve countered Rigdon's claims by testifying that Joseph had given them the authority to lead. After a public confrontation, the majority of the Saints sided with Brigham.² Rigdon was excommunicated in 1844 and later led a short-lived schismatic church based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.^3,4

1. History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844], p. 293, The Joseph Smith Papers

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 45, 561-567

3. “Rigdon, Sidney,” josephsmithpapers.org

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 46, 570