Responses to Franklin Spalding - N.L. Nelson

In 1912, Bishop Franklin Spalding published his pamphlet, Joseph Smith, Jr., As A Translator. While it was meant to destroy faith in the Book of Mormon, it was much more effective in raising non-Mormon awareness of the Book of Abraham and redirected much of the Latter-day Saint's attention to addressing issues raised by Spalding. Both the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham were translated by the Prophet from various forms of Egyptian writing. The Reverend's attempt to disprove Joseph's ability as a translator would, by inference, destroy confidence in him as a Prophet. The responses by Latter-day Saints acknowledged Bishop Spalding's seemingly courteous approach, but also identified the deceit that he employed in masking his true intentions in attacking Latter-day Saint scriptures. While non-Mormons believed that the publication was immensely successful, most Latter-day Saints found it to be unconvincing. Spalding's pamphlet was published in November 1912. Forthcoming responses appeared in the Deseret News and were subsequently printed in the Improvement Era. Subscribers to the periodical were notified of pending responses in the January 1913 issue (IE 16/3:280), as follows:

 

In the February 1913 issue, responses by B.H. Roberts, Janne Sjodahl, Frederick Pack, Junius F. Wells, John Henry Evans, Levi Edgar Young, and the Prophet Joseph F. Smith were all included to address some of the issues raised by Spalding and the Egyptologists. Notice was also posted regarding follow up responses in the subsequent issue (IE 16/4:404):

 

In the March 1913 issue of the Era, responses included Robert C. Webb (alias for J.E. Homans), Elder John A. Widtsoe, and Richard W. Young. These articles were summarized thus (IE 16/5:530):

Subsequently, in the April 1913 issue of the Era (IE 16/6), responses were published from Osborn J.P. Widtsoe, N.L. Nelson, as well as Spalding's response to Elder John A. Widtsoe, and Elder John A. Widtsoe's response to Spalding, and an article on Kolob by Janne M. Sjodahl. The following extract is from N.L. Nelson: