Top 10 LDS 'Intellectuals' | Deseret News

[_aussieguy55]

It was interesting that three of these intellectuals had problems with the leadership or LDS theology. Prince tells us that Pres Mckay had to intervene in the attempted dismissals of McMurrin and Bennion. Years ago when I was having issues with some of the church teachings and scriptures (such as the Negro/priesthood issue and the Book of Abraham) I wrote to Lowell Bennion who graciously replied. This was in 1972 some six years before the priesthood change. He wrote:

"I do wish to respond briefly to your tough but legitimate questions.
1) I know nothing about Egyptian and can from my own knowledge not make a value judgement on the Book of Abraham. I haven't heard of the 6 intellectuals who have left the church because of the papyri -Nibley is bright, but I find him at times dramatic and a bit erratic. he doesn't develop his concepts carefully or fully so that people like me can follow him or judge his logic and sources - Sorry!

2) The Black-priesthood issue has troubled me for 30 years. Withholding the priesthood from "African" blacks is to me a practice or policy of the Church, not a doctrine. Varioud Presidents, including D O McKay and Bro Lee have said the time would come when they would receive it. This alone confirms my point. We would not expect basic doctrines to change. My heart will not be at peace until either I learn why a black man cannot hold the priesthood or until the policy is changed. In the meantime , I pray for the prophet whose responsibility it is to consider the problem for the church. It is not for me to tell the Church what to do - But I hope to live to see the change or know why it shouldn't be. Sometime I may try to spell out my whole feeling & thinking on this issue.
In the meantime, best wishes and blessings to you in your thoughtful search & study -I trust you will not expect perfection of the church or yourself Sincerley Lowell L Bennion"

An interesting and thoughtful Mormon intellecual. Why does the Deseret item have commas around the word intellectuals?

[_TrashcanMan79]

It is true that antiwhite racism now exceeds, by far, antiblack racism in this country. Same with sexism against males vs. sexism against females.

Oh, you.

[_Kishkumen]

Pretty slim pickings. Joseph Smith Jr. at #3? Is this the new apologetic, that he was a great intellectual? Once you subtract the doctrine, which one assumes comes from God for the average LDS, what is left that can be called intellectual?

Ah, Aristotle. +1

[_CaliforniaKid]

The first page explains, "In 1969 Leonard Arrington asked 50 prominent Mormons to identify the 'five most eminent intellectuals in Mormon history.' The following list is taken from his list first published in the LDS journal Dialogue. If you disagree with the list feel free to send me emails with your own list." Presumably the list is a composite from the responses of these 50 prominent Mormons. The fact that the list was compiled in 1969 helps explain the omission of recent thinkers such as Eugene England, and the fact that the respondents were "prominent Mormons" rather than "prominent Mormon scholars" helps explain the predominance of TBM leaders.

[_harmony]

Packer would be appalled. If I recall correctly, he hates intellectuals and considers them the worst of the worst.

[_Daniel Peterson]

That's not true.

[_just me]

The first page explains, "In 1969 Leonard Arrington asked 50 prominent Mormons to identify the 'five most eminent intellectuals in Mormon history.' The following list is taken from his list first published in the LDS journal Dialogue. If you disagree with the list feel free to send me emails with your own list." Presumably the list is a composite from the responses of these 50 prominent Mormons. The fact that the list was compiled in 1969 helps explain the omission of recent thinkers such as Eugene England, and the fact that the respondents were "prominent Mormons" rather than "prominent Mormon scholars" helps explain the predominance of TBM leaders.

Thanks for pointing that out!

[_harmony]

That's not true.

I wondered if that would bring you out of hiding. You are, of course, both correct and incorrect. You know the speech I'm referring to, of course. There is little to quibble about though... unless scholars and historians are not intellecutuals.

[_TrashcanMan79]

It was only the 'so-called' intellectuals and scholars with whom Packer took exception. Bonafide intellectuals (such as, per the DN list, Joseph Smith, Jr) are a-okay.

[_harmony]

It was only the 'so-called' intellectuals and scholars with whom Packer took exception. Bonafide intellectuals (such as, per the DN list, Joseph Smith, Jr) are a-okay.

I guess I just don't understand how one person can be both an intellectual and ignorant at the same time.