Peterson, who often fends off LDS critics on Internet forums, said many of those critics and disaffected Latter-day Saints have seen the book as "something of a godsend that they could give to relatives and friends that would be nonthreatening and have the same or more impact."

In fact, he said, some of the recent speculation on the Internet about Palmer's possible excommunication is "that it will deprive them of what would have been a pretty good tool" for criticizing the LDS Church.

The book has been roundly criticized in reviews done by the Foundation for Ancient Research in Mormon Studies (FARMS), comprised of LDS scholars and BYU faculty members who review scholarly work concerning the church.

James Allen, a retired BYU historian and former assistant LDS Church historian, wrote a FARMS review of the book and said he and some colleagues at BYU have discussed it.

"I think the consensus is that we feel bad he came to those conclusions and are sorry for it," Allen said. "We share, very honestly, a totally different opinion. We feel you can come to a testimony of truth regarding Joseph Smith's vision and a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and Palmer doesn't. We feel bad about that."

Palmer said his possible excommunication from the faith "I love is the hardest thing that's ever occurred in my life," above and beyond the death of his wife and dealing with cancer.

"It's so much a part of my life. My ancestors are fifth-, sixth-generation Mormons. I was a very successful missionary and held church employment for 34 years. I describe myself as loving the church too much because I feel only the truth is good enough for the Latter-day Saints. I don't expect everyone to agree with me."

He said he wants to remain a member of the church and is confident that members of the church's First Presidency were not involved in his summons to appear before the disciplinary council.

The press release announcing the possible excommunication says Palmer's stake president approached him a year ago after receiving information from "the church's 'Strengthening Church Members Committee.' " It called the group "comparable in some ways to the Taliban's 'Department of Vice and Virtue.' "

Palmer said he hadn't seen the press release and was "appalled" by the characterization.

The church excommunicated six prominent LDS scholars in September 1993 after they publicly questioned the faith's official doctrine.

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com