MAD's "Great LDS Intellectuals" Thread

[_Mister Scratch]

Has anyone else read this laff-fest? I can't decide whether the thread is uproariously funny, or if it is a tragic embarrassment. The thread was begun by "Lamanite", who lists these folks in his "1st Presidency" of LDS Intellectuals:

President: Richard Bushman
1st Counselor: Leonard Arrington
2nd Counselor: Eugene England

The thread continues, and what's striking is how many GAs are listed as "intellectuals." Aren't these men supposed to be admired primarily for their spiritual gifts, rather than their (to paraphrase BKP) "so-called" intellectualism? (Further, some of these selections seem like a stretch. I mean, John Taylor? Come on, now.) Joseph Smith and BY each get multiple mentions, as does GBH. The poster called "Thinking" had this provocative observation:

Is it possible that the greatest Mormon intellects are not LDS anymore?

Others included BH Roberts, Hugh Nibley, and (ulp...) Lou Midgley. What's noticeable is the remarkable absence of women from the list (Calmoriah included her mother, and Lamanite said, later in the thread, "Ann Madsen.") Check out this classic from Hammer:

I would add the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost and Jesus are among the greatest Mormon intellectuals of all time. Yes; I'd be interested in reading Prof. Christ's doctoral dissertation.

Anyways, what a bizarre thread! One wonders just how, exactly, these folks are defining the term "intellectual". It seems that they equate it more with faith and obedience to the Church than anything else. Further, I just found the whole thread to be rather depressing. Aren't there more noteworthy Saints amongst the rank-and-file? Why do the GAs need to be placed on a pedestal for everything?

[_GoodK]

Has anyone else read this laff-fest? I can't decide whether the thread is uproariously funny, or if it is a tragic embarrassment. The thread was begun by "Lamanite", who lists these folks in his "1st Presidency" of LDS Intellectuals:

President: Richard Bushman
1st Counselor: Leonard Arrington
2nd Counselor: Eugene England

The thread continues, and what's striking is how many GAs are listed as "intellectuals." Aren't these men supposed to be admired primarily for their spiritual gifts, rather than their (to paraphrase BKP) "so-called" intellectualism? (Further, some of these selections seem like a stretch. I mean, John Taylor? Come on, now.) Joseph Smith and BY each get multiple mentions, as does GBH. The poster called "Thinking" had this provocative observation:

Is it possible that the greatest Mormon intellects are not LDS anymore?

Others included BH Roberts, Hugh Nibley, and (ulp...) Lou Midgley. What's noticeable is the remarkable absence of women from the list (Calmoriah included her mother, and Lamanite said, later in the thread, "Ann Madsen.") Check out this classic from Hammer:

I would add the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost and Jesus are among the greatest Mormon intellectuals of all time. Yes; I'd be interested in reading Prof. Christ's doctoral dissertation.

Anyways, what a bizarre thread! One wonders just how, exactly, these folks are defining the term "intellectual". It seems that they equate it more with faith and obedience to the Church than anything else. Further, I just found the whole thread to be rather depressing. Aren't there more noteworthy Saints amongst the rank-and-file? Why do the GAs need to be placed on a pedestal for everything?

Sorry to be so vulgar, but it's like a retard circle jerk over there sometimes..

[_Jason Bourne]

Oh what the heck is his name

The guy who invented the TV. He was LDS.

[_The Nehor]

Did I get left out?

[_Mister Scratch]

Oh what the heck is his name

The guy who invented the TV. He was LDS.

Philo T. Farnsworth. And yes, he *did* get a mention.

[_Sethbag]

Philo Farnsworth?

Was he really an intellectual? Or more of a very smart tinkerer? I haven't read much about him.

edit: oops, Scratch and I cross-posted

[_moksha]

Oh what the heck is his name

The guy who invented the TV. He was LDS.

Philo Farnsworth.



What about the triumvirate of Bruce McConkie, Ezra Taft Benson and Boyd K. Packer? Or the Other triumvirate of Daniel C. Peterson, David Bokovoy and Bill Hamblin?

or even Juliann, Pahoran and Selek?

[_Mister Scratch]

Philo Farnsworth?

Was he really an intellectual? Or more of a very smart tinkerer? I haven't read much about him.

edit: oops, Scratch and I cross-posted

A good question, and I believe it cuts to the twin-fisted heart of my OP. (1) How does one go about defining an "intellectual"? and (2) Is intellectualism---however you define it---really tolerated in the Church?

Based on that aptly named MADthread, I would have to say that the bulk of TBMs equate "intellectualism" with devotion to the Church. The more devoted one is, (e.g., a GA such as Henry Eyring), the more "intellectual" the person. That appears to be their position, in any case.

[_Mister Scratch]

Oh what the heck is his name

The guy who invented the TV. He was LDS.

Philo Farnsworth.



What about the triumvirate of Bruce McConkie, Ezra Taft Benson and Boyd K. Packer? Or the Other triumvirate of Daniel C. Peterson, David Bokovoy and Bill Hamblin?

or even Juliann, Pahoran and Selek?

DCP was mentioned. None of the others, though (AFAICR...)

[_The Dude]

Who do you think were the strongest Mormons of all time?

Joseph Smith liked to wrestle and bully, so he's gotta be up there.
GBH was known for his wiry little muscles, but Monson is taller so he's probably stronger as well.
But Christ and the Holy Ghost were the strongest of all time, for sure. They have to be, 'cause they are the top dogs: the fastest, smartest, most intellectual, most super-hero-like Mormons of all time. That's the way it works when you assign "good" qualities to the people you idolize.