Studies of the Book of Mormon, Brigham D. Madsen, ed. (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1985) is a collection of previously unpublished manuscripts, written by LDS General Authority B.H. Roberts (1857–1933) at the beginning of the 20th century, which concern the validity of the Book of Mormon, a scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Roberts "served in the innermost circles of Mormonism" and for decades "used his great oratorical and writing skills, as well as his scholarly and research abilities, to defend the Book of Mormon and give it intellectual respectability." According to BYU scholar Marvin S. Hill, controversy over the book "has focused not upon the historical issues which Roberts raised but rather on whether or not he lost his testimony of the book and the church."
Critics of Mormonism claim that Roberts lost his belief in the Book of Mormon after completing the study, even though he continued to publicly affirm the supernatural character of the book. According to religion writer Richard N. Ostling, LDS apologists were faced with one "of the most delicate situations" after publication of the book and "went into high gear" to make responses to it because "Roberts could not be dismissed as an outsider or an anti-Mormon."
Read more about Studies Of The Book Of Mormon: Roberts’ Purpose and Conclusion, Overview, Controversy About Roberts' Parallels, Controversy About Roberts’ Ultimate Beliefs, Controversy Within The LDS Church After The 1985 Publication
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