helemon
16th October 2005, 10:47 AM
http://www.mormonstudies.com/criddle/rigdon.htm#15
The following list summarizes Campbellism doctrines, and indicates where they can be found in The Book of Mormon:
1. A Great Apostasy necessitating a Restoration of the doctrines and practices of New Testament Christianity. Campbell referred to this as a restoration of the "Ancient Order of Things." Rigdon referred to it as a "restoration of all things." References in The Book of Mormon include the following: 1 Ne 12:11; 13:26; 2 Ne 26:9-10, 20; Hel 13:5.
Walter Scott took Campbell's idea of a restoration a step further, even calling for a "new Bible". Hayden described Scott's preaching in the winter of 1827-1828 this way: "He contended ably for the restoration of the true, original apostolic order which would restore to the church the ancient gospel as preached by the apostles. The interest became an excitement; ...the air was thick with rumors of a 'new religion,' a 'new Bible.' " [not an entirely different Bible, but rather, Alexander Campbell's 1820's edition of the New Testament].
2. Restoration and Gathering of the Jews - 1 Ne 15:19-20; 2 Ne 29:4; Restoration and Gathering of the House of Israel - 3 Ne 29:1.
See: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/VA/harb1830.htm#090630
3. Imminent millennial reign of Christ - 1 Ne 20:26. Amos Hayden wrote of the millennial beliefs among the followers of Campbell (Reformed Baptists):
There were many at that time who believed the millennium was at hand, and in 1830, there were many who were convinced it had dawned…the long expected day of gospel glory would be ushered in…These glowing expectations formed the staple of many sermons… they were the continued and exhaustless topic of conversation. They animated the hope and inspired the zeal to a high degree of the converts and many of the advocates of the gospel. Millenial hymns were learned and sung with joyful fervor and hope surpassing the conception of worldly and carnal professors. It was amid a people full of these expectations, and with hearts fired with these things, that Mormonism was brought, and small wonder that it found a welcome. (van Wagoner, 1994, p. 61. See: http://sidneyrigdon.com/wht/1891WhE3.htm#pg205)
Alexander Campbell referred to Rigdon as "a flaming literalist of the school of [Elias] Smith a Millennarian of the first water." (Dec,1837, Millennial Harbinger 1:578).
In his autobiography, written in the third person for the Times and Seasons (1838), Rigdon described his pre-1830 millennial preaching, saying that he had:
proved to a demonstration the literal fulfillment of prophesy, the gathering of Israel in the last days, to their ancient inheritances, with their ultimate splendor and glory; the situation of the world at the coming of the Son of Man-the judgments which Almighty God would pour out upon the ungodly, prior to that event, and the reign of Christ with his saints on the earth, in the millennium. (See:http://sidneyrigdon.com/Rigd1843.htm)
4. Campbell's followers used the "Bethany dialect", and especially what was referred to as the "word alone system". This is a belief that religious experience came from hearing the divine word alone. Alexander Campbell referred to this concept in his remarks on the Bible Dec 1, 1828: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/tcb/TCB605.HTM. Mosiah 26:15-16 reads:
Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi. And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone, which thou hast spoken unto them.
5. Sacrament prayer and partaking of the sacrament bread and wine as a memorial rite in frequent gatherings - Moroni 4:3, 5:2, 6:6
6. Rejection of infant baptism and original sin - Moroni 8:1-12, 14, 20, 22. This doctrine is at odds with Methodism. This is relevant because of Smith's documented attraction to Methodism, even during the translation process.
7. Adult immersion for the remission of sins as the central ordinance of the Gospel - 3 Ne 11:26. This elevation of the importance of baptism happened at a time when practically no other group of Christians made baptism that important or so easy to obtain. Calvinist churches demanded proof of a spiritual conversion experience before acceptance into a congregation. Campbellites merely asked for a statement of belief, and baptism was possible at a moment's notice. In Mormonism, acceptance of The Book of Mormon qualified a new convert for immediate baptism, quick confirmation, and speedy ordination of male converts. This was a useful strategy for rapidly acquiring new converts among those who had been turned down for membership in other faiths.
8. Missionaries of the church should provide their own support - Mos 18:24-26; Mos 27:4-5; Alma 1:3, 26; Alma 30:31-32; 2 Ne 26:31 - and the clergy as well - Alma 1:3. Alma 35:3, 1 Nephi 22:23.
In September 1824, Campbell publicly commended Scott and Rigdon, the "two bishops" of a church in Pittsburgh, "who while they watch over and labor among the saints, labor, working with their own hands, according to the apostolic command; and not only minister to their own wants, but are (ensembles) to the flock in beneficence and hospitality" (C.B., p. 93). See: http://sidneyrigdon.com/wht/1891WhE6.htm
9. Elders set apart by the laying on of hands. Alma 6: 1
Writing in The Christian Messenger on October 25, 1827, Disciple preacher Walter Scott commented on the laying on of hands:
If a church have elders, and desire others, the elders in that particular Society, can proceed to set them apart by the imposition of hands. (The Christian Messenger 1: 283-286. See http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/wscott/cm/FTCM02.HTM)
10. Speaking as if authorized by Jesus Christ - Words of Mormon 1:17; Mos 13:6; Mos 18:13; Alma 17:3; 3 Ne 5:13; 3 Ne 11:25; Moro 7:2; Moro 8:16. Disciples' preachers understood that they spoke directly for God. Referring to the preaching of Rigdon and Bentley, after a visit to Scott in March, 1828, Hayden said: "They spoke with authority, for the word which they delivered was not theirs, but that of Jesus Christ." See: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ahayden/ehd/EHD08.HTM
11. Reference to "the Holy Spirit" as a kind of shared divine nature - 1 Ne 2:17; 2 Ne 2:28; Jar 1:4; Mosiah 3:19; Alma 5:46; 11:44; 13:28; 18:34; 31:35. According to Vogel (1989), Campbellites made unusually frequent use of the term "Holy Spirit". See: http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/resth2.htm Writing in The Christian Baptist (Dec, 1824), Rigdon made frequent reference to the "Holy Spirit" writing under the pen name "Theophilus": See: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/VA/harb1830.htm
Rigdon is known to have played a role in the fabrication of scripture that shows signs of Campbell's influence. As noted by Whitsitt, the Inspired Version of the Bible that Rigdon worked on with Smith less than two months after his baptism has similarities to Campbell's edition of the Bible: both documents use the word "Testimony" as titles for the Gospels (for example, "The Gospel of Matthew" becomes "The Testimony of Matthew"), and both dropped use of special pronouns when addressing deity. The Book of Moses, now a part of the Pearl of Great Price, but initially fabricated as the first chapters of the Inspired Version of the Bible, clearly teaches Walter Scott's pet doctrine of baptism by immersion before spiritual rebirth (Moses 6:52, 59; 8;24). See: http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/basic/bible/jst_eom.htm
Ideally, data on beliefs, such as the information on Campbellism summarized above, should be analyzed in the context of the major beliefs of each of the Christian sects in North America 1820-30. The relative uniqueness of each belief or practice could then be determined. However, in the absence of such data, it is reasonable to assume that those best qualified to compare Mormonism with the beliefs of other religions at the same time and place would be those living in that same time and place. Among them, Mormonism was quickly branded "Campbellism Improved." See: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/OH/miscohio.htm#111830
see this link for more info on this topic: http://www.mormonstudies.com/criddle/rigdon.htm#15
The following list summarizes Campbellism doctrines, and indicates where they can be found in The Book of Mormon:
1. A Great Apostasy necessitating a Restoration of the doctrines and practices of New Testament Christianity. Campbell referred to this as a restoration of the "Ancient Order of Things." Rigdon referred to it as a "restoration of all things." References in The Book of Mormon include the following: 1 Ne 12:11; 13:26; 2 Ne 26:9-10, 20; Hel 13:5.
Walter Scott took Campbell's idea of a restoration a step further, even calling for a "new Bible". Hayden described Scott's preaching in the winter of 1827-1828 this way: "He contended ably for the restoration of the true, original apostolic order which would restore to the church the ancient gospel as preached by the apostles. The interest became an excitement; ...the air was thick with rumors of a 'new religion,' a 'new Bible.' " [not an entirely different Bible, but rather, Alexander Campbell's 1820's edition of the New Testament].
2. Restoration and Gathering of the Jews - 1 Ne 15:19-20; 2 Ne 29:4; Restoration and Gathering of the House of Israel - 3 Ne 29:1.
See: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/VA/harb1830.htm#090630
3. Imminent millennial reign of Christ - 1 Ne 20:26. Amos Hayden wrote of the millennial beliefs among the followers of Campbell (Reformed Baptists):
There were many at that time who believed the millennium was at hand, and in 1830, there were many who were convinced it had dawned…the long expected day of gospel glory would be ushered in…These glowing expectations formed the staple of many sermons… they were the continued and exhaustless topic of conversation. They animated the hope and inspired the zeal to a high degree of the converts and many of the advocates of the gospel. Millenial hymns were learned and sung with joyful fervor and hope surpassing the conception of worldly and carnal professors. It was amid a people full of these expectations, and with hearts fired with these things, that Mormonism was brought, and small wonder that it found a welcome. (van Wagoner, 1994, p. 61. See: http://sidneyrigdon.com/wht/1891WhE3.htm#pg205)
Alexander Campbell referred to Rigdon as "a flaming literalist of the school of [Elias] Smith a Millennarian of the first water." (Dec,1837, Millennial Harbinger 1:578).
In his autobiography, written in the third person for the Times and Seasons (1838), Rigdon described his pre-1830 millennial preaching, saying that he had:
proved to a demonstration the literal fulfillment of prophesy, the gathering of Israel in the last days, to their ancient inheritances, with their ultimate splendor and glory; the situation of the world at the coming of the Son of Man-the judgments which Almighty God would pour out upon the ungodly, prior to that event, and the reign of Christ with his saints on the earth, in the millennium. (See:http://sidneyrigdon.com/Rigd1843.htm)
4. Campbell's followers used the "Bethany dialect", and especially what was referred to as the "word alone system". This is a belief that religious experience came from hearing the divine word alone. Alexander Campbell referred to this concept in his remarks on the Bible Dec 1, 1828: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/tcb/TCB605.HTM. Mosiah 26:15-16 reads:
Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi. And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone, which thou hast spoken unto them.
5. Sacrament prayer and partaking of the sacrament bread and wine as a memorial rite in frequent gatherings - Moroni 4:3, 5:2, 6:6
6. Rejection of infant baptism and original sin - Moroni 8:1-12, 14, 20, 22. This doctrine is at odds with Methodism. This is relevant because of Smith's documented attraction to Methodism, even during the translation process.
7. Adult immersion for the remission of sins as the central ordinance of the Gospel - 3 Ne 11:26. This elevation of the importance of baptism happened at a time when practically no other group of Christians made baptism that important or so easy to obtain. Calvinist churches demanded proof of a spiritual conversion experience before acceptance into a congregation. Campbellites merely asked for a statement of belief, and baptism was possible at a moment's notice. In Mormonism, acceptance of The Book of Mormon qualified a new convert for immediate baptism, quick confirmation, and speedy ordination of male converts. This was a useful strategy for rapidly acquiring new converts among those who had been turned down for membership in other faiths.
8. Missionaries of the church should provide their own support - Mos 18:24-26; Mos 27:4-5; Alma 1:3, 26; Alma 30:31-32; 2 Ne 26:31 - and the clergy as well - Alma 1:3. Alma 35:3, 1 Nephi 22:23.
In September 1824, Campbell publicly commended Scott and Rigdon, the "two bishops" of a church in Pittsburgh, "who while they watch over and labor among the saints, labor, working with their own hands, according to the apostolic command; and not only minister to their own wants, but are (ensembles) to the flock in beneficence and hospitality" (C.B., p. 93). See: http://sidneyrigdon.com/wht/1891WhE6.htm
9. Elders set apart by the laying on of hands. Alma 6: 1
Writing in The Christian Messenger on October 25, 1827, Disciple preacher Walter Scott commented on the laying on of hands:
If a church have elders, and desire others, the elders in that particular Society, can proceed to set them apart by the imposition of hands. (The Christian Messenger 1: 283-286. See http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/wscott/cm/FTCM02.HTM)
10. Speaking as if authorized by Jesus Christ - Words of Mormon 1:17; Mos 13:6; Mos 18:13; Alma 17:3; 3 Ne 5:13; 3 Ne 11:25; Moro 7:2; Moro 8:16. Disciples' preachers understood that they spoke directly for God. Referring to the preaching of Rigdon and Bentley, after a visit to Scott in March, 1828, Hayden said: "They spoke with authority, for the word which they delivered was not theirs, but that of Jesus Christ." See: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ahayden/ehd/EHD08.HTM
11. Reference to "the Holy Spirit" as a kind of shared divine nature - 1 Ne 2:17; 2 Ne 2:28; Jar 1:4; Mosiah 3:19; Alma 5:46; 11:44; 13:28; 18:34; 31:35. According to Vogel (1989), Campbellites made unusually frequent use of the term "Holy Spirit". See: http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/resth2.htm Writing in The Christian Baptist (Dec, 1824), Rigdon made frequent reference to the "Holy Spirit" writing under the pen name "Theophilus": See: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/VA/harb1830.htm
Rigdon is known to have played a role in the fabrication of scripture that shows signs of Campbell's influence. As noted by Whitsitt, the Inspired Version of the Bible that Rigdon worked on with Smith less than two months after his baptism has similarities to Campbell's edition of the Bible: both documents use the word "Testimony" as titles for the Gospels (for example, "The Gospel of Matthew" becomes "The Testimony of Matthew"), and both dropped use of special pronouns when addressing deity. The Book of Moses, now a part of the Pearl of Great Price, but initially fabricated as the first chapters of the Inspired Version of the Bible, clearly teaches Walter Scott's pet doctrine of baptism by immersion before spiritual rebirth (Moses 6:52, 59; 8;24). See: http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/basic/bible/jst_eom.htm
Ideally, data on beliefs, such as the information on Campbellism summarized above, should be analyzed in the context of the major beliefs of each of the Christian sects in North America 1820-30. The relative uniqueness of each belief or practice could then be determined. However, in the absence of such data, it is reasonable to assume that those best qualified to compare Mormonism with the beliefs of other religions at the same time and place would be those living in that same time and place. Among them, Mormonism was quickly branded "Campbellism Improved." See: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/OH/miscohio.htm#111830
see this link for more info on this topic: http://www.mormonstudies.com/criddle/rigdon.htm#15