Mormon Writer Suspended by the Church

A retired Mormon educator who wrote a book questioning whether the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints misrepresented his authority as a prophet was suspended from the church Sunday.

Grant Palmer, 64, who wrote “An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins,” could have been excommunicated. Instead, he said the church “disfellowshipped” him, which meant he would retain his membership but lose certain privileges, such as being able to go into temples or serve in an official church capacity.

The length of such a punishment varies by case, and Palmer would not comment more specifically.

The fourth-generation Mormon said he still loved the church and wanted to remain a member because he believed in its fundamental message.

Church spokesman Dale Bills declined to comment.

Palmer, a church director and educator for 34 years who has a master’s degree in history from Brigham Young University, said his research stemmed from an inability to reconcile discrepancies between history and his church service.

In the book, Palmer suggested that church founder Joseph Smith revised church scripture to his advantage.

The book said Smith did not actually translate the Book of Mormon “by the gift and power of God” from an ancient set of golden plates, as the church’s followers believe. Palmer suggested Smith wrote it himself, leaning heavily on the King James Bible and personal experiences.