Posted by:
steve benson
(
)
Date: November 12, 2013 11:29AM
--My Blood is Better Than Your Blood: Out-Prophet-Blooding McConkie's Critics==
I first heard the following story about Joseph Fielding McConkie from a good friend and source who related it to me from memory, as it had been told to him. It was later confirmed by the following narrative of events centering on which bloodline prophetically possessed the gospel truth when it came to declaring official LDS doctrine to Mormonism's mutt-masses. Ultimately, the McConkie wing of Mormonism's wing-nut warriors played their ace, as described by the lesser-heritage-endowed crowd on the competing end:
"On 13 September 1979, [BYU] Professor [Eugene] England was scheduled to speak to BYU honors students [in a entitled] . . . 'The Lord’s University?' . . .
"The evening before the scheduled lecture, England received a phone call at home from Joseph Fielding McConkie, a BYU religion professor. Professor McConkie had read an earlier version of 'The Lord’s University?' and told England he thought his father, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, would strongly disapprove of its content.
"After a lengthy conversation, England invited Professor McConkie to the lecture so he could share with the audience what he felt his father’s objections might be. After hanging up the phone, England discussed the conversation with his wife, Charlotte, who expressed her concern that the interaction could become negative and advised against inviting McConkie to participate. England, however, thought it would be beneficial for students to see the respectful exchange by faculty members of differing opinions.
"After giving his lecture, England invited Joseph McConkie to respond. In his response, McConkie stated that his father, Elder McConkie, and grandfather Joseph Fielding Smith, taught of a god that is not progressing and whose perfection is absolute. 'Though I accord a man the privilege of worshipping what he may, there is a line--a boundary--a point at which he and his views are no longer welcome.'
"Joseph [McClinkie] concluded: 'I do not see the salvation of BYU in the abandonment of absolutes, and with the prophets whose blood flows in my veins, I refuse to worship at the shrine of an ignorant God.' As audience members sat stunned at the combative and superior tone of Professor McConkie’s remarks, England attempted to ease the tension in the crowded lecture hall and restore collegiality by expressing his appreciation for Brother McConkie’s response and acknowledging the educational value for students to hear such an open and honest exchange of ideas.
"This Eugene England and Joseph McConkie exchange might have remained a much-discussed disagreement between BYU professors that would fade with memory. However, nine months later, on 1 June 1980, Elder Bruce R. McConkie delivered at a BYU Devotional, a lecture entitled 'The Seven Deadly Heresies.' The primary 'heresy' Elder McConkie warned against was the belief that 'God is progressing in knowledge and is learning new truth. This is false, utterly, totally, and completely.' He further stated that we cannot be saved unless we believe that the 'truth as revealed to and taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith is that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.' McConkie belittled those who think otherwise as having 'the intellect of an ant and the understanding of a clod of miry clay in a primordial swamp.'"
("A Professor and Apostle Correspond: Eugene England and Bruce R. McConkie on the Nature of God." by Rebecca England [daughter of Eugene England], at:
http://www.eugeneengland.org/a-professor-and-apostle-correspond-eugene-england-and-bruce-r-mcconkie-on-the-nature-of-god)
_____
Bloodline, Shmudline. It's offensively over the line.
And, hey, that goes for you McConkies, too (even thpugh one my relatives is married to one of you).
:)
That duly noted, R.I.P.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/2013 11:30AM by steve benson.