GEO. W. MIDDLETON, M.D.

1022 EAST FIRST SOUTH

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

Nov. 9, 1931

Pres. B. H. Roberts:

My Dear Friend:

My study of the Book of Mormon has brought up so many unanswerable problems, so far as I am concerned, that I am appealing again to you, as the one of our people most versed in that story, to see if you can help me out.

There are such a multitude of these problems, that I shall center for the moment on one only, and perhaps have the privilege, with your permission, of discussing some others at a later date.

It will be wisdom, of course, that this be a confidential matter between you and me.

In the 9th chapter of III Nephi we read, 3rd verse: Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.

Following this statement, there is a long list of cities described as being sunk in the ocean, buried in the earth, submerged completely with all the inhabitants, annihilated completely without mercy.

Now, this is all told in the first person: "I did it."

Later in the same chapter, verse 15, we read, "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the son of God."

The point at issue in my mind is, how are we going to reconcile these reports with the command of the Master, "Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you."

When Jesus taught in Galilee, he manifested no disposition to inflict bodily injury upon those who refused to receive him. To friend and foe, his was a message of love, and not of destruction of life, and his disciples were enjoined to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

This chapter seems to put Jesus in such a monstrous guise, that I am entirely unable to reconcile it with the account we have of him in the New Testament.

Can you furnish me any light on this matter?

My kindest personal regards to you.

Sincerely,

Geo. W. Middleton