Roberts was struggling and searching for ways to justify the inconsistencies found in. Reflecting his talent for combining history and theology, b. Roberts studies of the book of mormon introduction by brigham d. Madsen is professor emeritus of history at the university of utah, salt lake city. Alexander, professor of history and director of the. Roberts considered the evident parallels between the book of mormon and ethan smiths view of the hebrews, a book that predated the mormon scripture by seven years. In the 1920s, latterday saint general authority and author b. H roberts book 27 editions published between 1892 and 2018 in english and held by 166 worldcat member libraries worldwide. Roberts was additionally recognized as the mormon churchs most accomplished scriptorian of his day.
Available for the first time fifty years after the authors death. Roberts s study which was published posthumously in 1985 as studies of the book of mormon. A mormon general authoritys doubts about the authenticity. Roberts continued to affirm his faith in the divine origins of the book of mormon until his death in 1933. Robertss study which was published posthumously in 1985 as studies of the book of mormon. The project gutenberg ebook of the mormon battalion, by b. Roberts was the greatest intellect ever produced by the latterday saint tradition, and his long life stamped him as one of its most remarkable defenders and expounders of mormon history and belief. Publication date 1985 topics book of mormon criticism, interpretation, etc publisher urbana. Roberts told his daughter, elizabeth skolfield, that a book of mormon study was written for presentation to the twelve and the presidency, not for publication 18 as with book of mormon difficulties. Ten prophets in the book of mormon, as roberts s own notebook records, encountered the living god in vision.
Find thousands of lds books, movies, music and more. Prompted by a letter apostle james talmage had received from william riter, the first presidency asked roberts to develop a response to various difficulties and. Roberts was the greatest intellect ever produced by the latterday saint tradition, and his long life stamped him as one of its most remarkable defenders and expounders of. Roberts, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints most prolific writer and arguably its most effective defender, abandoned his belief in the book of mormon and the prophet joseph smith during the last decade of his life. Roberts indepth studies of book of mormon origins led him to doubt the authenticity of the book. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982, 732. He published a popular sixvolume history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and also wrote studies of the book of mormonpublished posthumouslywhich discussed the validity of the book of mormon as an ancient. This book should be a requirement for anyone studying the book of mormon.
Roberts asserted that the authenticity of the restoration must stand or fall on the truth of joseph smiths claim that the book of mormon was the history of an ancient people inscribed on a cache of gold plates. Roberts, spurred by rileys theory, began a concerted study of book of mormon criticisms. Roberts has already stated that the first edition of the book of mormon was singularly free from typographical errors and that the printer could not be blamed for the many mistakes that are found in the book of mormon. Madsen is professor emeritus of history at the university of utah, salt. Roberts was preparing, writing, presenting, and publishing materials on the book of mormon. B h roberts and the book of mormon truman g madsen introduction by its own account the book of mormon is for doubters it an nounces on its title page a clear purpose for all the hard labor of preserving records to the convincing of thejewahejewthejew and gentile that. Published as the mormon doctrine of deity, this debate forms one of the most engaging and complete considerations of the topic ever compiled.
The nook book ebook of the studies of the book of mormon. A study, roberts wrote many things in a book of mormon study that are obviously not his views, but are given as. Roberts state that it was possible for joseph smith to have come up with the book of mormon on his own. Ten prophets in the book of mormon, as robertss own notebook records, encountered the living god in vision. Brigham henry roberts march, 1857 september 27, 1933 was a historian, politician, and leader in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism.
Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988, 297314. The mormon texts project free, highquality ebooks of. This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews, published seven years before the book of mormon is thought to be source material for joseph smiths book of mormon. Studies of the book of mormon by b h roberts, 9781560850274, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. If the book of mormon is not historical, but rather a reflection of the misconceptions current in joseph smiths.
Roberts similarly interpreted the text, pointing out that it assumes throughout that there were no other inhabitants in all that land. Roberts 18571933, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which examine the validity of the book of mormon as a translation of an ancient american source. Madsen introduction by its own account, the book of mormon is for doubters. Brigham henry roberts was a mormon leader, historian, and politician who published a sixvolume history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and was denied a seat as a member of united states congress because of his practice of plural marriage. Roberts, studies of the book of mormon, 2nd edition salt lake city. A mormon general authoritys doubts about the authenticity of. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at.
Its history and achievements classic reprint, and the rise and fall of nauvoo, and more on. Roberts and the book of mormon book of mormon central. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988, 297314 less than a year after b. B, h, robertss studies of the book of mormon the dialogue journal. Brigham henry roberts march, 1857 september 27, 1933 was a historian, politician, and. No, he continued expressing his testimony of the book of mormon throughout his life. Although roberts continued to testify to the truth of the book of mormon, a foundational work of. But prophets are not mystics in this extreme sense.
The translation process of the book of mormon thoughts of b. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th. Mormon apologists claim that this book was written so the brethren would know the weaknesses of the book of mormon. Book of mormon studies regarded as the foremost mormon theologian of his day, roberts was given a letter with questions about the book of mormon from a skeptic to answer.
B h roberts and the book of mormon truman g madsen introduction by its own account the book of mormon is for doubters it an nounces on its title page a clear purpose for all the hard labor of preserving records to the convincing of thejewahejewthejew and gentile that jesus is the christ the eternal god that statement presupposes that there would be serious and searing doubt in the world and. We offer here a growing collection of resources for studying the book of mormons origins, claims, and teachings. Critics of mormonism claim that roberts lost his belief in the book of mormon after. If you read the book you can clearly see that this is not the case. Roberts 18571933, an lds general authority widely considered mormonisms greatest apologist and historian, 1 expressed the grave doubt that the book of mormon is a translation of ancient. Among readers who came to the book of mormon with hard, skeptical assumptions, b. Roberts became convinced that view of the hebrews was the ground plan for the book of mormon. In these papers, elder roberts bluntly lists many book of mormon. By appreciative readers, elder brigham henry roberts has often been called the great defender of the book of mormon.
Roberts and the book of mormon studies of the book of mormon by b. The project gutenberg ebook, the mormon battalion, by b. This he broughtfor more than a half century to the book of mormon as he did to his work in history, never letting go, never fully satisfied with what he had written or said, and never unwilling to consider afresh the latest spate of difficulties. Roberts was one of the most respected and wellknown lds historians. Under the assumption that the majority of native americans descend from the peoples. Hogan, of the faculty of the university of utah, obtained a copy and had it. This book presents a manuscript written by president of the first quorum of the seventies and church historian b. Roberts encouraged latterday saints to answer the questions of critics carefully and seriously. He also was a member of the first council of seventy 18881933. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982.
He published a popular sixvolume history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and also wrote studies of the book of mormon published posthumouslywhich discussed the validity of the book of mormon as an ancient. Robertss book of mormon activities, public and private, from 1922 when his problems study was complete until his death on 27 september 1933, reveals that every week of every month of those eleven years b. Volume 2 has been available for a while too ebook, post on its contents. Roberts the book of mormon is in the fullest sense a matter of life and death. Roberts was a latterday saint general authority and intellectual who drafted several writings in 1922 dealing with alleged problems in the book of mormon see brigham d. Smith from a discourse delivered on the 15th of november, 1868. Roberts that he wrote to answer a young members questions about the book of mormon in, i believe 1930. It announces on its title page a clear purpose for all the hard labor of preserving records.
Roberts, edited and with an introduction by brigham d. Prompted by a letter apostle james talmage had received from william riter, the first presidency asked roberts to develop a response to various difficulties and anachronisms within the book of mormon narrative. It announces on its title page a clear purpose for all the hard labor of. To this, roberts penned an even more comprehensive rejoinder. When tasked by the church to investigate the common complaints against the book of mormon, b.
Critics of the book of mormon persistently claim that b. Signature books, 1992, 377 pages, paperback, isbn 1560850272 incredible as it may seem to many latterday saints, brigham h. The life of john taylor, third president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints by b. He was capacitated by temperament and equipped by study for penetrating analysis. Roberts from the improvement era book of mormon grammar by president george a. He was appointed church historian and in his day was considered the most accurate and unbiased authority for early mormon history and was regarded as a great defender of the faith. Roberts was one of the 26 general authorities of the mormon church from 1890 to 1933. There is no mention or assumption of coming in contact with any other people. Volume 2 has been available for a while too e book, post on its contents. Roberts, just published by signature books, this controversial mormon leader recounts his life in his own words, accompanied by a eulogy by mormon scholar sterling mcmurrin and commentary by editor gary james bergera. When they say they saw and heard god, they saw and heard god. Roberts was struggling and searching for ways to justify the inconsistencies found in the book of mormon. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th century though not published until 1985 by b. But on his other side was his capacity for constant, patient study.
Roberts studies of the book of mormon and mckays no man knows my history are the definitive works on early mormon church history. The book of mormon reinstates all authentic modes of religious awareness. Roberts studies of the book of mormon this book contains manuscripts of roberts who was a general authority, author, and church historian in which he expresses some serious doubts about the authenticity of the book of mormon and frankly admits that joseph smith had a vivid enough imagination and the source material available to produce the book of mormon. It not only showcases two brilliant, quickwitted theologians, it also surveys authoritative historical sources for both the mormon doctrines. Roberts returned from presiding over the eastern states mission, he was asked by an editor of a national magazine, why does. Roberts and the book of mormon, in book of mormon authorship. Moreover, at many junctures of his life he had profound personal reasons and emotional and.