In his autobiographical sketch, in the 1843 Nauvoo Times and Seasons, Rigdon gave the editor the following information:
“…in the month of August, A. D. 1824, after laboring among that people two years and six months, he [Pittsbirgh First Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Sidney Rigdon] made known his determination, to withdraw from the church, as he could no longer uphold the doctrines taught and maintained by it…. Having now retired from the ministry, and having no way by which to sustain his family, besides his own industry, he was [necessitated] to find other employment in order to provide for his maintenance, and for this purpose he engaged in the humble capacity of a journeyman tanner, in that city, and followed his new employment, without murmuring, for two years – during which time he both saw and experienced, that, by resigning his pastorial vocations in that city, and engaging in the humble occupation of a tanner, he had lost many who once professed the greatest friendship, and who manifested the greatest love for his society – that when he was seen by them in the garb suited to the employment of a tanner, there was no longer that freedom, courtesy and friendship manifested – that many of his former friends became estranged and looked upon him with coolness and indifference – too obvious to admit of deception. To a well regulated and enlightened mind – to one who soars above the arbitrary and vain lines of distinction which pride or envy may draw, such conduct appears ridiculous – while at the same time it cannot but cause feelings of a peculiar nature, in those who, for their honesty and integrity of heart, have brought themselves into situations to be made the subjects of it. After laboring for two years as a tanner, he removed to Bainbridge, Geauga, county, Ohio, where it was known that he had been a preacher, and had gained considerable distinction as a public speaker, and the people soliciting him to preach, he complied with their request.”
(Times & Seasons, May 15, 1843)
http://sidneyrigdon.com/features/tannery1.htm
“…in the month of August, A. D. 1824, after laboring among that people two years and six months, he [Pittsbirgh First Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Sidney Rigdon] made known his determination, to withdraw from the church, as he could no longer uphold the doctrines taught and maintained by it…. Having now retired from the ministry, and having no way by which to sustain his family, besides his own industry, he was [necessitated] to find other employment in order to provide for his maintenance, and for this purpose he engaged in the humble capacity of a journeyman tanner, in that city, and followed his new employment, without murmuring, for two years – during which time he both saw and experienced, that, by resigning his pastorial vocations in that city, and engaging in the humble occupation of a tanner, he had lost many who once professed the greatest friendship, and who manifested the greatest love for his society – that when he was seen by them in the garb suited to the employment of a tanner, there was no longer that freedom, courtesy and friendship manifested – that many of his former friends became estranged and looked upon him with coolness and indifference – too obvious to admit of deception. To a well regulated and enlightened mind – to one who soars above the arbitrary and vain lines of distinction which pride or envy may draw, such conduct appears ridiculous – while at the same time it cannot but cause feelings of a peculiar nature, in those who, for their honesty and integrity of heart, have brought themselves into situations to be made the subjects of it. After laboring for two years as a tanner, he removed to Bainbridge, Geauga, county, Ohio, where it was known that he had been a preacher, and had gained considerable distinction as a public speaker, and the people soliciting him to preach, he complied with their request.”
(Times & Seasons, May 15, 1843)
http://sidneyrigdon.com/features/tannery1.htm