Contradictions Between John C. Bennett's and John Rigdon's Versions Concerning Nancy Rigdon and Joseph Smith

  

Contradictions Between John C. Bennett’s and John Rigdon’s Versions
Bennett’s Version	Rigdon’s Version
Prior to Joseph’s attempt, Nancy Rigdon was tipped off once regarding his plot.	Prior to Joseph’s attempt, Nancy was not tipped off.
Nancy played along with Joseph’s plot in order to catch him in the act.	Nancy was taken completely by surprise by Joseph’s plot.
In 1842, Joseph asked to meet Nancy . . .	In 1843 or 1844, Joseph asked to meet Nancy . . .
On April 9 . . .	At latter part of the one year or the first part of the next . . .
On a Saturday . . .	On a Sunday . . .
While at funeral of Ephraim Marks.	While at a regular Church service at the Temple Grove.
Meeting was arranged by twenty-six-year-old Marinda Hyde . . .	Meeting was arranged by unknown “old lady” . . .
Who lived with her two children . . .	Who “lived alone” . . .
In part of the Printing Office.	In her “own home.”
They met at Printing Office.	They met at old lady’s home.
Nancy walked alone to Printing Office.	Nancy walked with old lady to her home, where they took off their bonnets.
First meeting attempt failed. So Apostle Willard Richards asked Nancy to reschedule.	First meeting attempt succeeded. No mention of notable Apostle Richards being involved at all.
Actual meeting occurred five days later—on Thursday.	Actual meeting occurred that very same day—on Sunday.
Willard Richard and Marinda Hyde named as key players (and inferred they also were having an affair).	Willard Richard and Marinda Hyde not named (and no affair inferred).
Joseph arrived first evidently alone.	Nancy arrived first with the “old lady.”
Nancy entered room where Joseph was waiting.	Joseph entered room where Nancy was waiting.
Joseph took her to a second, more private room and locked the door.	“old lady” left the room, where Joseph and Nancy remained.
Joseph immediately suggested they have an affair.	Joseph immediately proposed marriage.
Joseph only secondarily offered marriage.	Joseph mentioned no secondary offer.
Marriage was offered only if affair made Nancy uncomfortable.	No mention of affair.
Joseph locked the door to detain Nancy.	No mention of locked door, nor of Nancy being detained.
Nancy detained until she threatened to scream to “alarm the neighbors if he did not open the door and let her out immediately.”	Nancy nonchalantly “took her bonnet and went home.”
Joseph departed first, leaving Nancy behind.	Nancy departed first, leaving Joseph behind.
Joseph left Nancy in the Printing Office.	Nancy left Joseph “at the old lady’s house.”
Before he departed, they agreed Joseph would write Nancy a “doctrinal letter” of explanation.	No such significant factor was mentioned.
After the meeting, Nancy was instructed by twenty-six-year-old Marinda Hyde.	Before the meeting, Nancy was instructed by an unnamed “old lady.”
No mention of Joseph ever going to Rigdon home to make amends.	Joseph went to Rigdon home twice to make amends to entire Rigdon family (father, mother, brother, sister, and more).
As promised, Joseph dictated an important doctrinal letter to Nancy . . .	No mention of such important letter.
Which Apostle Willard Richards personally delivered to Nancy.	No mention of Richards ever being involved during any portion of entire episode.
Letter became known as the famed essay on “Happiness.”	No mention of the famed essay on “Happiness.”

 

Table taken from:

 

Richard Price and Pamela Price, Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy, 3 vols. (Independence, Miss.: Price Publishing Company, 2018), 3:331-33