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Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:20 am
by _palerobber
We all know and could easily name many highly intelligent and well educated people who are active believers in the Mormon Church today.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:56 am
by _sunstoned
I have brought up a good question. I know that the conversions I saw on my mission were mostly marginal people. Folks living day to day, with not much education. I don't recall seeing any professional type folks joining the church. Our mission president told us this was because the rich and successful usually do not have the humility to accept the gospel. Ya, right.
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:54 am
by _Bazooka
It's a four way tie - Tobin, Droopy, ldsfaqs and why me.
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:05 am
by _Chap
Isn't Daniel C. Peterson some kind of convert, at least in a technical sense? Not that he came from a background devoid of Mormonism, but I don't think he got baptized until some way into his teens, if I recall correctly.
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:08 am
by _Bazooka
palerobber wrote:We all know and could easily name many highly intelligent and well educated people who are active believers in the Mormon Church today.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
Take your pick.....
http://mormonscholarstestify.org
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:33 pm
by _palerobber
Chap wrote:Isn't Daniel C. Peterson some kind of convert, at least in a technical sense? Not that he came from a background devoid of Mormonism, but I don't think he got baptized until some way into his teens, if I recall correctly.
i'm looking for someone who was baptised when an
adult.
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:37 pm
by _Bob Loblaw
From the people I know, Equality is the most intelligent person I know who converted as an adult. And Kevin Graham converted as an adult, If I recall correctly. Oh, wait, do they have to still be members or believers?
In that case, maklelan comes to mind. And no I'm not kidding. He's a bright, intelligent guy who converted as an adult and is still a believer.
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:51 pm
by _gramps
This guy:
I mean, he is a nuclear engineer, right?
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:01 pm
by _Markk
palerobber wrote:We all know and could easily name many highly intelligent and well educated people who are active believers in the Mormon Church today.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
Albert Einstein, wasn't he baptized in proxy?
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:18 pm
by _Ceeboo
Don Bradley!
Although I do not know him personally (only through these boards and/or videos, interviews, etc) I have been both fascinated and perplexed by his departure then full return to the LDS fold.
I should mention that I fully recognize that these boards are clearly not the best source to really "know" someone. I think that is largely true for all of us!
Peace,
Ceeboo