two words...
Salamander Letters
Church leaders, especially Gordon B. Hinckley, continued to field criticism for some time for “being duped” and being “unable to discern the evil intentions of a man like Hofmann”.
Hinckley later noted: “I accepted him to come into my office on a basis of trust.... I frankly admit that Hofmann tricked us. He also tricked experts from New York to Utah, however.... I am not ashamed to admit that we were victimized. It is not the first time the Church has found itself in such a position. Joseph Smith was victimized again and again. The Savior was victimized. I am sorry to say that sometimes it happens.”[10]