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I have been curious since viewing one of John Dehlin's Mormon Stories podcasts of Dr. Ted Lyons, late of BYU and current Temple President in Chile, that the children and grandchildren of General Authorities are granted automatic admission to BYU, thus sidestepping the rigorous academic requirements applied to the rest of the students. They also apparently receive this education free of charge, while other students must fork over money.

My question is why this policy of disparity exists?

I'm surprised at your lack of faith, moksha. This is a gospel principle. The sealing of families extends certain spiritual privileges over the whole family. You know, sort of like how the families of girls who married Joseph Smith got instant salvation. I like to think of it as celestial nepotism.

I know that the royalty in Mormonism concept has been discussed, but I know of no Mormons who claim that the GAs have become royalty and that their progeny have inherited royal privileges.

moksha wrote:I have been curious since viewing one of John Dehlin's Mormon Stories podcasts of Dr. Ted Lyons, late of BYU and current Temple President in Chile, that the children and grandchildren of General Authorities are granted automatic admission to BYU, thus sidestepping the rigorous academic requirements applied to the rest of the students. They also apparently receive this education free of charge, while other students must fork over money.

My question is why this policy of disparity exists?

Moksha,

Do you have a direct reference to this? This should be broadcast from the housetops if it is true - or has even happened once.


My father was a contributing alumni for many years. My grades were pathetic. After being rejected (for good reason), my father threatened the then president of BYU (1983, I can't remember his name) that he would cease contributing. He also reminded him they were childhood buddies and that he was entitled to his children attending because of his alleged contributions over the years. I was accepted (under condition of academic probation which I made good on). I overlooked it at the time because I knew I could step up. In retrospect, it was wrong headed.

moksha wrote:I know that the royalty in Mormonism concept has been discussed, but I know of no Mormons who claim that the GAs have become royalty and that their progeny have inherited royal privileges.

Do you know any relatives or progeny of GAs?

;-)

My observation is that for some of the Mormon elite, there is a very strong sense of having the "Blood of the Prophets" in one's family.

Mok, think, Gods and Goddesses, Kings and Queens, etc. etc. Everyone who has had their C&Ems are indeed already Kings and Queens in their minds and in the mind of the church leaders.

~dancer~

Inconceivable wrote:My father was a contributing alumni for many years. My grades were pathetic. After being rejected (for good reason), my father threatened the then president of BYU (1983, I can't remember his name) that he would cease contributing. He also reminded him they were childhood buddies and that he was entitled to his children attending because of his alleged contributions over the years. I was accepted (under condition of academic probation which I made good on). I overlooked it at the time because I knew I could step up. In retrospect, it was wrong headed.

This happens all the time at virtually all private universities. Children of big contributers, especially alumni who are big contributers, move to the head of the line. There's nothing unusual about this, it's simply good business. What Moksha is talking about is something different. Money isn't buying these children an education; their pedigree is.

Children of employees of BYU get the same treatment.

It is pretty typical that children of faculty get special treatment in admission at universities. Children of alumni often get preferential treatment. I also believe that in several states, state employees get special treatment for state universities. So this kind of stuff isn't that weird. However, when you mix this sort of perk in with priesthood office, it raises an eyebrow for some.

Since the Church owns BYU, and the GA's run the Church, it seems to make sense.

Also, with 30k+ students, the problem can't be statistically significant.

Inconceivable wrote:Moksha,

Do you have a direct reference to this? This should be broadcast from the housetops if it is true - or has even happened once.

On video for you from one of Dr. Lyon's presentations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJKLELq8Dno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzCcCacfnfU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcj4sCfh7_o