Home : Book details : Book description

Description of  B. H. Roberts: A Life in the Public Arena

Without question, Mormonisms most influential scholar during the first half of the twentieth century was B. H. Roberts (18571933), historian, theologian, public intellectual, and member of the First Council of Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Outside of his official church duties and his passion for research and writing, Roberts was an active figure in partisan politics, having run for Congress twice, elected once, but due to opposition from both political parties over polygamy, was never seated. This biography by prize-winning historian John Sillito, the fullest and most scholarly assessment to date of the controversial church leader, examines Robertss entire life, with particular attention to the public figure who remains influential, even today. Born in England to LDS convert parents, Roberts served as a missionary and several years after his call as a general authority, at age sixty, began serving as a chaplain during World War I. From 192227 he presided over the churchs Eastern States Mission. Although a hero to many even today for his scholarly outputa feat still rare among those called to church leadershipmodern assessments recognize antiquated views on race and womens suffrage. Yet Roberts remains a deeply compelling figure worthy of study. Read more