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PrevPrevious EpisodeCurt Bench’s Role in the Hofmann Bombings Court Case
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Should LDS Leaders Have Detected the Hofmann Fraud?

Table of Contents: Should LDS Leaders Have Detected the Hofmann Fraud?

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Let’s talk about the Mark Hofmann bombings & forgeries.  There are some critics of the LDS Church who ask the question, why weren’t church leaders able to discern, using the spirit of prophecy the Hofmann fraud?

Curt Bench:  I’ve heard that countless times.

GT:  How do respond to that?

Curt:  Well, the way I respond is that we’re all in good company, because we all got fooled.  His family got fooled, his own wife and his parents, his friends and neighbors, other family, experts that tested his materials.  He fooled everyone, including General Authorities.  So I guess I’m prone to grant them, or give them a lot of slack because they’re human just like we are.  As Dallin Oaks said later, unless we’re given a reason not to trust, we trust people.

Others note that it seems like Church bought anti-Mormon material, or material unflattering to the church’s narrative in order to hide them from the public and prevent discovery of them.  Is that a fair characterization?

Curt:  I mean that bothered people I think when that came to light.  From President Hinckley’s perspective if I were in his shoes I would understand better the motivation I think but like I said, everything is 20/20 now in our vision.  But I can understand why that would be a difficult thing for people because it does give people the impression of trying to hide things and put things in the best light possible so I can certainly understand that perspective.

Curt Bench goes into further detail on these questions.  We’ll also talk about how Mark’s family reacted, as well as the family of Steve Christensen, (Steve was killed in the first bombing.)  Check out our conversation…  (Don’t forget to check out (parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!)

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Gospel Tangents Podcast
Rick B

A 360-degree view of Mormonism. We interview the best Mormon scholars, scientists, and clergy from all restoration branches, including LDS, Community of Christ, Strangites, Bickertonites, Temple Lot, Remnant, etc.

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Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Hofmann Bombings/Forgeries
  • Historical Mentions Mark Hoffman, Mormon History
  • Tags: Curt Bench, Gospel Tangents, GT Podcast, Hoffman bombings, Hoffman forgeries, Hofmann fraud, iTunes, LDS General Authorities, Mark Hoffman, Spirit of Discernment, Spirit of Prophecy

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PrevPrevious EpisodeCurt Bench’s Role in the Hofmann Bombings Court Case
Next ExpisodeHofmann Bombings Effect on Mormon HistoryNext

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  1. Pingback: Hofmann Bombings Effect on Mormon History - Gospel Tangents
  • Date: June 3, 2017
  • Hofmann Bombings/Forgeries
  • Historical Mentions Mark Hoffman, Mormon History
  • Tags: Curt Bench, Gospel Tangents, GT Podcast, Hoffman bombings, Hoffman forgeries, Hofmann fraud, iTunes, LDS General Authorities, Mark Hoffman, Spirit of Discernment, Spirit of Prophecy
  • Posted By: RickB

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