The bold-faced above is a hilarious attempt by Lds authorities (and this Utah columnist) to downplay Roberts' doubts about the Book of Mormon.
So, rather than just rely upon Madsen, upon columnist Gibson, or upon even the journal-ist I cited in my initial post, why don't we just let Roberts speak for himself:
“One other subject remains to be considered in this division... viz. – was Joseph Smith possessed of a sufficiently vivid and creative imagination as to produce such a work as the Book of Mormon from such materials as have been indicated in the proceeding chapters... That such power of imagination would have to be of a high order is conceded; that Joseph Smith possessed such a gift of mind there can be no question.... “In light of this evidence, there can be no doubt as to the possession of a vividly strong, creative imagination by Joseph Smith, the Prophet, an imagination, it could with reason be urged, which, given the suggestions that are found in the ‘common knowledge’ of accepted American antiquities of the times, supplemented by such a work as Ethan Smith’s View of the Hebrews [published in Palmyra in 1825], it would make it possible for him to create a book such as the Book of Mormon is.” - Studies of the Book of Mormon, by B.H. Roberts, p. 243, 250
“There were other Anti-Christs among the Nephites, but they were more military leaders than religious innovators... they are all of one breed and brand; so nearly alike that one mind is the author of them, and that a young and underdeveloped, but piously inclined mind. The evidence I sorrowfully submit, points to Joseph Smith as their creator. It is difficult to believe that they are a product of history, that they came upon the scene separated by long periods of time, and among a race which was the ancestral race of the red man of America.” - Studies of the Book of Mormon, by B.H. Roberts, p. 271
“If from all that has gone before in Part 1, the view be taken that the Book of Mormon is merely of human origin... if it be assumed that he is the author of it, then it could be said there is much internal evidence in the book itself to sustain such a view. “In the first place there is a certain lack of perspective in the things the book relates as history that points quite clearly to an underdeveloped mind as their origin. The narrative proceeds in characteristic disregard of conditions necessary to its reasonableness, as if it were a tale told by a child, with utter disregard for consistency.” -Studies of the Book of Mormon, by B.H. Roberts, p. 251
place marker
As an LDS apostle, he wanted to prove the authenticity of the BOM, but was unsuccessful. He ended up in a compromise position of saying that it was...something unique... but...hard to swallow as a serious piece of history or literature. The hundreds of thousands of dead in a single day in the final battle of the BOM was a wall he could not intellectually scale.
Another weak cut-and-paste job. Keep saving those souls. lol
Bah!
Who really cares about the Book of MORMON?
It contains NO Temple Rituals; it contains practically NONE of the things that makes up MORMONism.
WHERE is the folks that ‘defend’ the Book of ABRAHAM?
Where are the people who CORRECTLY read and follow the Word of Wisdom found in DOCTRINE AND COVENANTs SECTION 89 ??