Item Detail
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32528
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0
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4
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English
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James E. Talmage's Paleontological Solution for a Theologic Controversy
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Mormon Historical Studies
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2021
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22
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2
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Salt Lake City, UT
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Mormon Historic Sites Foundation
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73-80
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"In 1927, Elder B. H. Roberts was granted permission to take an extended leave of absence from his duties as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy in order to write a book, titled The Way, the Truth, the Light, that would interpret and expand understanding of gospel principles. Prior to seeing little more than the prospectus for the book, Apostle David O. McKay predicted that the book would be of great value to the Church. Elder Roberts completed forty-three of his projected fifty-three chapters by the fall of 1928 and submitted them for Chruch review. The First Presidency appointed a review committee consisting of three future Chruch presidents-- George Albert Smith, who served as committee chariman; David O. McKay; and Joseph Fielding Smith-- plus Stephen L. Richards and Melvin J. Ballard. Elder Roberts hoped for early approval of and publication of his manuscript. However, because he was well acquainted with all the committee members, he might have recognized that a final decision would take longer than he had hoped. In addition, Elder Ballard may have attempted to draw John A. Widtsoe into the discussion, and Widtsoe's full involvement could have caused even further delay. The committee's review process did not go well. Elder Roberts's manuscript referred to life before Adam several times, something that Elder Smtih thought was antiscriptural contradictory to Church doctrine. Elder Smith gave a talk condemning Elder Roberts's ideas and then had the talk published. As could be expected, this activity resulted in a negative response from Elder Roberts. Elder Smith's next move was a lengthy reply to Elder Roberts; in this reply, Elder Smith included extensive use of an almost universally discredited geology book whose main purpose was to discredit all accepted geologic thought. Elder Smtih's enthusiastic use of this book offended Elder Talmage, who then joined the debate in full support of Elder Roberts. This article presents a summary of Elder Talmage's actions and his paleontologic contributions to the controversy." [Author]
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