God says let him not remove his family to the eastern lands; but Joseph appointed him to go east and take his family. How is this matter? I will tell you, Sidney was not content with the word of the Lord to stay here with his family; but was always murmuring about it, and wishing to go east. By and by the spirit of the Lord became grieved with his unwillingness to obey counsel and the word of God; and it was suggested to Joseph: “Forasmuch as Sidney chooses his own ways rather than mine, let him go east with his family even as he has desired; for persecution is coming upon you, and it will be better for you and for my people that he be far away from this place, for he will correspond with the mob and work for the injury of my people if he remain here and be a thorn in your side; for he has not abode in my word, and Satan will have power over him: send him, therefore, speedily away from this city, and let him be removed; and I will so overrule his ways that he shall meet the chastisement that is in store for him for his disobedience here and for his blasphemy in the land of Missouri. Nevertheless let him be a candidate for Vice President, and place upon him every mark of honor and respect, that he may have every possible inducement to abide in the truth, being borne up by the good feelings of his brethren. This will be noble and indulgent on your part: but if he will not remain in the faith, but fall from his standing, these honors which you place upon him shall stand as a testimony against him.”

Somewhere about the middle of June last, Mr. Rigdon left Nauvoo with his family for Pittsburgh in accordance with his previous wishes, and also in accordance with the counsel of Joseph Smith. He left with the fullest and most perfect satisfaction with Joseph Smith and the whole church if we may believe his own statements. He professed all confidence in Joseph as a man of God, and one would judge from his appearance and conversation, that he felt himself proud of the honor of being in fellowship with him.