It is risky and in the long run counterproductive to substitute myth of historical truth.

history and faith reflections of a mormon historian

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Discouraging inquiry is yet another way of denying dissonance. I refer not only to the formal and informal restraints on academic investigation with which recent LDS history is spotted but to the general inhibition of free discussion in the educational programs of the church.

history and faith reflections of a mormon historian, p. 130

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The study of history in general, and church history in particular, is faith testing. It will, in my view, almost certainly weaken faith if faith is defined as certitude. It may strengthen faith if faith is defined as commitment. Certitude is a state of mind; commitment is a state of living.

history and faith reflections of a mormon historian, p. 131

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I have found that history gives more information than answers. It is a better tool for identifying error than for validating truth; it gives one more certainty about what was not and is not than about what is or may be.

history and faith reflections of a mormon historian, p. 132

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If everything we read agrees with us, we should enlarge the scope of our reading.

history and faith reflections of a mormon historian, p. 57

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