Without Disclosing My True Identity
not original; others have argued the same case for well over a decade. And,
indeed, Mr. Spencer’s arguments have long since been answered (although
his brochure betrays no awareness of that fact).^3Thus, it is assumed that the LDS/Mormons have satisfactorily and correctly answered the
five questions. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.
The fact is, given sufficient time, archaeological energy, and luck, a plausible
response could be obtained to these five questions from a purely scientific investigation.
Such questions will always be asked, not only concerning the Book of Mormon, but about an
infinite number of topics, including the origins of the Universe and this earth all the way to
how humans can properly inhabit the earth. The real problem associated with these
questions, therefore, was in HOW to obtain an answer. The reality of this problem for the
LDS/Mormons is expressed in the descriptive exposé contained in the treatise presented by
James R. Spencer:
Roberts studied the questions for four months without replying to William
Riter. Riter finally wrote to him, asking if he had completed his response.
On Dec. 28, 1921, Roberts wrote back saying he was studying the
problems, had not yet reached a conclusion and would soon respond. The
next day Roberts wrote an open letter to President Heber J. Grant, to Grant’s
counselors, to the Twelve Apostles and to the First Council of Seventy,
requesting an emergency meeting with all them to discuss the matter.Roberts told the General Authorities: “I found difficulties (raised by the
five questions) more serious than I thought...it is a matter that will concern
the faith of the Youth of the Church now (and) also in the future.”
President Grant responded immediately to Roberts’ request for an emergency
meeting of the Church’s top leadership. Within a week the brethren
assembled for an intense two-day conference at which Roberts delivered a
141 page report entitled, “Book of Mormon Difficulties, a Study.” Roberts
appealed to the collective wisdom of the brethren and said he was seeking
the inspiration of the Lord in order to answer the questions.DisappointedIt is fair to say the General Authorities “stonewalled” Roberts at the meeting.
After two days, he came away disappointed and discouraged. In a letter to
President Grant four days after the meeting he said: “I was greatly
disappointed over the net results of the discussion...There was so much said
that was utterly irrelevant, and so little said that was helpful.”Roberts continued to discuss the matter through letters with President Grant and
continued for some months to meet with a committee formed out of the larger
group comprised of one of Grant’s counselors, Talmage, and Apostle John
Widsoe [sic] [#5 and #6, respectively, on the “Top 10 List of LDS ‘Intellectuals’”^4 ].
But, Roberts never was satisfied with the response of the brethren.