Studies of the Book of Mormon [Paperback]

Brigham D. Madsen (Author), Brigham H. Roberts (Author), Sterling M. McMurrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1992

BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR, JOHN WHITMER HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Available for the first time fifty years after the author's death, Studies of the Book of Mormon presents this respected church leader's investigation into Mormonism's founding scripture. Reflecting his talent for combining history and theology, B. H. Roberts considered the evident parallels between the Book of Mormon and Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews, a book that predated the Mormon scripture by seven years. If the Book of Mormon is not historical, but rather a reflection of the misconceptions current in Joseph Smith's day regarding Indian origins, then its theological claims are suspect as well, Roberts asserted. In this and other research, it was Roberts's proclivity to go wherever the evidence took him, in this case anticipating and defending against potential future problems. Yet the manuscript was so poorly received by fellow church leaders that it was left to Roberts alone to decide whether he had overlooked some important piece of the puzzle or whether the Mormon scripture's claims were, in fact, illegitimate. Clearly for most of his colleagues, institutional priorities overshadowed epistemological integrity. But Roberts's pathbreaking work has been judged by the editor to be methodologically sound--still relevant today. It shows the work of a keen mind, and illustrates why Roberts was one of the most influential Mormon thinkers of his day. The manuscript is accompanied by a preface and introduction, a history of the documents' provenances, a biographical essay, correspondence to and from Roberts relating to the manuscript, a bibliography, and an afterword--all of which put the information into perspective.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here for the first . . . time a Mormon [leader] and first-rate historian is wrestling with the most sensitive subject possible for his church: to what extent is the Book of Mormon a nineteenth-century product and/or an actual record of some of the peoples of ancient Mesoamerica. . . . Roberts's work points the way that an intellectually honest faith most go, and for that we must still read these now sixty-year-old studies, as others will do in another century. --Western Historical Quarterly, Richard Sherlock

The Roberts manuscripts represent a compelling case study of the age-old tension between religious faith and rational thought. The Roberts era of Mormon history is instructive of the way in which successful religious movements eventually seek . . . to consolidate, systematize, and rationalize the inconsistencies of the founding beliefs. --Sociological Analysis, Gordon Shepherd

About the Author

Brigham Henry Roberts, born in England in 1857, was president of the LDS First Quorum of the Seventy and assistant church historian. His numerous historical (A Comprehensive History of the Church; Joseph Smith, The Prophet-Teacher; Life of John Taylor; The Missouri Persections; The Mormon Battalion, Its History and Achievements; Outlines of Ecclesiastical History; The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo; Succession in the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and theological works (A New Witness for God; The Mormon Doctrine of Deity: The Roberts-Van der Donckt Discussion; The Seventy's Course in Theology; Studies of the Book of Mormon; The Truth, The Way, The Life: An Elementary Treatise on Theology) which are still considered authoritative, earned him the epithet "defender of the faith." He died in 1933. Brigham D. Madsen is an emeritus professor of history at the University of Utah. He is the author of eight books: Against the Grain: Memoirs of a Western Historian, The Bannock of Idaho, Corinne: The Gentile Capital of Utah, Exploring the Great Salt Lake: The Stansbury Expedition of 1848-50, Glory Hunter: A Biography of Patrick Edward Connor, The Lemhi: Sacajawea's People, The Northern Shoshoni, and The Shoshoni Frontier and the Bear River Massacre. He is the co-author of: North to Montana! Jehus, Bullwhackers, and Mule Skinners on the Montana Trail. He is the editor of three works: A Forty-Niner in Utah with the Stansbury Exploration of Great Salt Lake: Letters and Journal of John Hudson, 1848-1850, The Now Generation: Student Essays on Social Change in the Sixties, and Studies of the Book of Mormon. He has also authored several monograph-length studies and contributed to such books as The Feminine Frontier: Wyoming Women, 1850-1900.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Signature Books (September 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560850272
• ISBN-13: 978-1560850274
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B. H. Roberts....Seeker of the Truth, August 17, 2000

By 

Crack Reviewer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Studies of the Book of Mormon (Paperback)

This book is a collection of a series of writings by B.H. Roberts who died in 1933, but attained rank as an LDS General Authority before he died. B.H. Roberts was the very antithesis of a dogmatic, inflexible, religious fanatic. B.H. wrote a great deal throughout his life on the Church. It must be remembered that he wrote "The Truth, the Way, the Light" and a "Comprehensive History of the Church". Anyone who reads the book should make certain they review the introduction written by the late Sterling McMurrin. McMurrin points out that B.H. wrote many books defending the LDS faith and this collection of writings has to be viewed in the context. However, after reading "Studies of the Book of Mormon" one really has to ask what Roberts believed about the Church when he died. The answer may not be simple, but in my view its unimportant.

In one series of writings, Robert tries to scientifically answer questions such as whether horses could have been in the Americas at the time the Nephites and Jaredites (look in your Book of Mormon) were supposed to have lived here. He tries to answer whether steel swords and metallurgy could have part of the culture in these continents at these times. The answers are inconclusive, but strongly suggest "difficulties" with the Book of Mormon.

However, the most fascinating part of the book is when Roberts attempts to draw parallels between a book written a few years before the Book of Mormon was translated (View of the Hebrews) and the Book of Mormon. The parallels are interesting, and at times, startling. He also explores--and answers affirmatively--the question whether Joseph Smith might have had the imagination to have written the Book of Mormon

In the end, though, one can't really answer what B.H. Roberts believed towards the end of his life. However, I concluded that would have made him most happy was the knowledge that people tried to investigate and answer for themselves, the questions that he raised. In that respect, he qualifies as a true scholar who possessed immense honesty. He's someone who both Latter Day Saints and non-Latter Day Saints should admire.

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LDS Historian's Discovery of Book of Mormon background, January 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Studies of the Book of Mormon (Paperback)

B. H. Roberts was one of the 26 general authorities of the Mormon Church from 1890 to 1933. 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. He was a thorough researcher and prolific writer. Among his many books was the seven volume "Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." I consider his "Studies of the Book of Mormon" the most reliable and interesting backgound information on the Book of Mormon.

Roberts wrote the material on his studies just a few years before his death but never published it. About 1985 his family finally released the manuscript for publication. He made an excellent study of the environment and source material available to Joseph Smith in the 1820's.

Divided into three parts the first part of "Studies of the Book of Mormon" Roberts deals with his quandry in attempting to answer five questions which were asked by a Doctor who had read the Book of Mormon given to him by a friend. These questions were of archeological and linquistic nature and when his study could not provide adequate answers he wrote 141 pages to the general authorities of the Mormon Church presenting the problem. A two day meeting was held in the Salt Lake Temple to get their input and to ask for help from the Lord but no resolution was forthcoming. Shortly thereafter Roberts was called to preside over the Eastern States Mission.

In the second section of "Studies of the Book of Mormon" Roberts gives a report of his research while traveling around the Eastern States visiting libraries looking for what was being published in the newspapers and books in the days of Joseph Smith. He found a book "View of the Hebrews" by a minister, Ethan Smith, published 8 years previous to the Book of Mormon. There are many parallels between the two books. One example is six chapters of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon was previously used by Ethan as proof of his point that the American Indians were part of the lost 10 tribes of Israel. Ethan preached this idea in some of his sermons stating that we should treat the Indians as equals not as animals as was done by many in those days.

Roberts found in the Manchester, NY newspaper of August 1823 where Joseph Smith's family lived that Ethan Smith was advertising his coming lecture and presentation of his book.

Furthurmore, Roberts found that Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith's cousin and later scribe, lived in the same town where Ethan was minister and that Cowdery's Mother and Sister were members of his congregation. Cowdery also was a traveling book saleman in the summer time for the bookstore/publisher of "View of the Hebrews."

The last section of Roberts' "Studies" is a side by side column comparison of passages from the Book of Mormon and "View of the Hebrews."

Roberts' books have always been regarded as great source material but few Mormons are even aware of his last writing and invaluable source material. Having been an active Mormon myself I found this book very facinating, enlightening and well documented. I recommend it to all Mormons and Non-Mormons alike as a book which is well written, easy reading and will hold your interest.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Required Read, December 29, 2006

By 

James I. Huston (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Studies of the Book of Mormon (Paperback)

This book should be a requirement for anyone studying the Book of Mormon. B.H. Roberts was the first Mormon apologist, President of the First Quorum of Seventies and Mormon Church Historian. B.H. Roberts was additionally recognized as the Mormon Church's most accomplished scriptorian of his day. Apostle Talmage gave Roberts five questions that had been asked by a member. B.H. Roberts researched the questions and went to the Twelve and First Presidency and said he could not give satisfactory answers to the questions. He asked for the Brethren to pray about the questions and get the answers from God. Each of the Brethren stood, bore their testimony of the Book of Mormon and the meeting was over. Roberts was then asked to come up with the best answers he could. These answers were given to the member who originally asked the questions.

This started Roberts on the mission of proving or disproving the Book of Mormon. He reviewed the book for inconsistencies in technology, zoology and anthropology. He presents a study of the technology of steel, glass, the wheel, metal coins and other advances that were questionable. He also covered the problems with horses, elephants, oxen, cattle and other problems. He covered the linguistics and anthropological information available at the time in trying to reconcile an Israelite migration to North America. In all, his conclusions are consistent with the current scientific community. He proposed, and then rejected, what Mormons know today as the Limited Geography Theory. He then undertakes a review of Joseph Smith and the literature available to Joseph Smith and concludes that there are significant parallels to "View of the Hebrews" by Ethan Smith. He did not at the time have the information that Oliver Cowdrey's family were parishioners of Ethan Smith. He concluded that with the structure of "View of the Hebrews", the 1796 version of the King James Bible and Joseph Smith's imagination, he would have no trouble writing the book.

The book is analytical in nature, reviewing all possible options. Mormon Apologists claim that this book was written so the Brethren would know the weaknesses of the Book of Mormon. If you read the book you can clearly see that this is not the case. Roberts was struggling and searching for ways to justify the inconsistencies found in the Book of Mormon. By the end of the study it is clear that he no longer has a testimony of the Book of Mormon. The book was not published for 60 years and finally released in 1985. The Mormon Church has had this information since 1930, but never released it. The problems discussed in this book are the same problems that Mormon apologists struggle with today. The answers that the apologists give are no more satisfactory today than they were at the time of B.H. Roberts.

This book is a necessary read for any budding apologist. It is also a book that can be given to a believing Mormon, because it was written by a recognized General Authority. B.H. Roberts was the editor of the "Comprehensive History of the Church" and the "Mormon Doctrine of Deity."