Sidney Rigdon

• Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", pp. 27-28

Joseph Smith's thoughts on Sidney Rigdon.
Sidney is a good man, but displays weakness unbecoming a president of the Church. Selfishness and independence of mind undermine the confidence of those that would trust in him, though he is a good speaker and skilled at winning friends.
He is compared to a donkey in needing much beating about to be humbled enough to learn to do his master's will. However, his work would be great and his posterity were to benefit from this work by being brought back, like stray donkeys, into the fold of God