[Howard W. Hunter] said that he felt the church was mature enough that our history would be honest.  our faith should not overpower our collective memories and documented experiences.  he did not believe in suppressing information, hiding documents, or concealing or withholding minutes for "screening."  He thought we should publish the documents of our history.  Why should we withhold things that are a part of our history?  He thought it in our best interest to encourage scholars--to help and cooperate with them in doing honest research.  Nevertheless, Hunter counseled me to keep in mind that church members reverenced leaders and their policies.  To investigate too closely the private lives of leaders and the circumstances that led to their decisions might remove some of hte aura that sanctified church policies and procedures.  If hte daylight of historical research should shine too brightly upon the prophets and their policies, he cautioned, it might devitalize the charisma that dedicated leadership inspires.

-Leonard J. Arrington, Adventures of a Church Historian (pg. 84)