B. H. Roberts: Warhorse of the Church, A Beginner’s Guide

Preorder now! Available December 1, 2026.

Meet the mind behind the “warhorse of the Church.” B. H. Roberts believed that religious conviction deserved serious thought. A Church leader, historian, missionary, and prolific writer, he defended the Restoration while asking searching questions about its history and teachings. His writings invite readers to bring both faith and intellectual honesty to their study of the gospel. B. H. Roberts: Warhorse of the Church, A Beginner’s Guide introduces this influential Latter-day Saint thinker through his own words. Compiled and edited by Chad L. Nielsen, the book pairs a chronology and biographical sketch with selections organized by subject, making Roberts’s extensive writings approachable for readers encountering him for the first time. Explore Elder Roberts’s teachings on:

• Jesus Christ and the Atonement: the Fall, redemption, justice, and mercy.
• The nature of God and the plan of salvation: the Godhead, premortal life, agency, and eternal progression.
• Faith and discipleship: repentance, ordinances, temple work, prayer, and service.
• The Restoration and prophetic leadership: Church history, Joseph Smith, prophetic fallibility, priesthood, and common consent.
• Scripture and revelation: the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the continuing pursuit of spiritual understanding.
• Learning and intellectual inquiry: education, science, and the responsibility to examine difficult questions.

Nielsen also introduces the conflicts and convictions that shaped Roberts’s life, including his private investigations of Book of Mormon questions and his efforts to reconcile religious belief with scientific knowledge. With a foreword by Stephen O. Smoot, historical context, source references, and suggestions for further reading, this volume offers a starting point for exploring Roberts’s contributions to Latter-day Saint thought. Read it from beginning to end or turn to a subject that interests you.

The first volume in FAIR’s In Their Own Words series—exploring lives and writings across the Restoration.

In Their Own Words introduces influential Latter-day Saint voices through their lives and writings. Each volume pairs accessible historical context with selected excerpts, inviting readers to explore the faith, ideas, and questions that have shaped the Restoration.

About the Editor

Chad L. Nielsen is an independent historian and writer specializing in Latter-day Saint history, theology, music, and documents. He is the author of Fragments of Revelation and A Barn Full of Angels. His work has appeared in the Journal of Mormon History, Element, and Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, as well as on Times and Seasons and From the Desk. He works professionally in biotechnology.