Top 10 LDS 'Intellectuals' | Deseret News

[_moksha]

That was an interesting order of ranking:

1. B.H. Roberts - The smartest
2. Orson Pratt
3. Joseph Smith, Jr. - this blows the ignorant farm boy legend
4. Sterling McMurrin

Interesting they left off Dr. Henry Eyring (deceased) of the University of Utah. Perhaps Elder Roberts grew in intellectual stature after hearing so many testimonies in answer to his inquiries.

[_sock puppet]

That's not true.

What's not true? That JSJr was an intellectual?

[_harmony]

That's not true.

What's not true? That JSJr was an intellectual?

That Packer hates intellectuals. (I should probably have qualified that as "scholars" and "historians", but oh well...)

[_Daniel Peterson]

That Packer hates intellectuals. (I should probably have qualified that as "scholars" and "historians", but oh well...)

Wrong in any case.

[_why me]

Kinda complicates the "ignorant farmboy" angle, 'twould seem.

Not really. I think that most Mormons would claim that Joseph Smith grew into his role and received a lot of help to grow intellectually into his unique role as prophet and leader of the LDS church. But I do believe that for a person without formal education, he did quite well in his calling. But did not do quite well outside his calling. He had poor business acumen.

[_Themis]

That Packer hates intellectuals. (I should probably have qualified that as "scholars" and "historians", but oh well...)

Wrong in any case.

It would be more accurate that he hates intellectuals that would question the church or it's leaders. Not unlike some other religions.

[_Obiwan]

Kinda complicates the "ignorant farmboy" angle, 'twould seem.

It always shakes my head in wonderment about peoples intellectual skills and common sense..... all the while thinking they are intelligent and actually saying something "smart".

Joseph Smith "Growing up" a basically ignorant farm boy is not the same as LATER ON becoming a great intellectual thinker. Hello..... McFly.....

Anyone that has actually read most early LDS history, especially Joseph's own words, in contrast to anti-mormon drive-by media know very well that he was very intelligent, wise, and good, and that this was developed through study and faith, not growing up with it, save almost entirely with the scriptures alone.

[_sock puppet]

Kinda complicates the "ignorant farmboy" angle, 'twould seem.

It always shakes my head in wonderment about peoples intellectual skills and common sense..... all the while thinking they are intelligent and actually saying something "smart".

Joseph Smith "Growing up" a basically ignorant farm boy is not the same as LATER ON becoming a great intellectual thinker. Hello..... McFly.....

Anyone that has actually read most early LDS history, especially Joseph's own words, in contrast to anti-mormon drive-by media know very well that he was very intelligent, wise, and good, and that this was developed through study and faith, not growing up with it, save almost entirely with the scriptures alone.

Which of the other 9 on the list were regarded as ignorant when they were 14 year old boys? I'm guessing each was considered rather precocious.

[_Themis]

Joseph Smith "Growing up" a basically ignorant farm boy is not the same as LATER ON becoming a great intellectual thinker. Hello..... McFly.....

I would agree with you.

Anyone that has actually read most early LDS history, especially Joseph's own words, in contrast to anti-mormon drive-by media know very well that he was very intelligent, wise, and good, and that this was developed through study and faith, not growing up with it, save almost entirely with the scriptures alone.

I think Joseph was intelligent. Wise is debatable. I would say he was wise in some areas and very unwise in others. Good is also debatable if you read church history with a more objective view point. Some things he did were good and others definately not. It's not a surprise that 50 LDS would include Joseph Smith on their list, but I suspect that Scientology would do the same with L Ron Hubbard. Jospeh had a lust for knowledge of all kinds. He picked up the seer stone in a hat thing fairly well early on and showed a desire to learn things like hebrew as well. Like L Ron Hubbard he to saw that creating your own religion was a good way to make money and fame. He got both.

[_Droopy]

That's not true.

Clearly, given Elder Packer's own fine and disciplined intellect.

Methinks our own beguiling harmony may not be in the best of positions to determine who is properly to be termed an "intellectual" and who isn't, or what the requirements may be.