BYU professors afraid of crackdown on Clark Gilbert’s version of LDS orthodoxy

[@danielmartarano7251]

The Church has never said that same-sex marriage is “okay”… the Family Proclamation and recent addresses from President Nelson and others have been very clear about the doctrine.

[@plporter]

The church has not said that Plural Marriage is "okay" since before 1890 October General Conference. However, more than 1/2 of the Apostles took additional Sanctioned wives until the 2nd Manifesto in 1904. So if you are looking for the church to be consistent, honest, and open about marriage, you are looking at the wrong church.

[@jflash19]

@@plporter what in the world does BYU’s hiring practices have to do with plural marriage?

[@lisasmith8517]

@@plporter Plural marriage is being married IN THIS LIFE to more than one spouse at the same time. Very different idea, and a nice try with conflation that failed due to strawman fallacy.

[@richardduerden9526]

But the Church has said that disagreeing with its position on same sex marriage is okay. "There hasn't been any litmus test or standard imposed that you couldn't support that if you want to support it," [Elder D. Todd] Christofferson said, "if that's your belief and you think it's right." Any Latter-day Saint can have a belief "on either side of this issue," he said. "That's not uncommon." (Stack, Peggy Fletcher. “We all can be more civil on LGBT issues, Mormon leader says.” The Salt Lake Tribune. Jan 27 2015.)

[@sputnik604]

She’s trying to create a controversy where there isn’t one. BYU is a private school tied to a church and its beliefs. It makes sense that it expects teachers at the school to rightly represent the teachings of the church (unlike Peggy). If anyone doesn’t like that arrangement it’s their prerogative to work at and attend school somewhere else. A religious institution should predictably be different from a non-religious one. Please stop trying to remove religion from society in such a disingenuous manner. Rita Skeeter couldn’t be prouder

[@worldkeyvideo9080]

Elder Gilbert is one of the kindest and best people I have ever met. I am so grateful for the work he is doing. He helped keep BYU-Idaho the amazing place it is and is continuing that great work through the rest of the church education system. I couldn't be prouder of the work he has done to help support discipleship and the prophets of the Lord

[@brianblack7116]

Seems reasonable that professors at a church-sponsored university believe in the basic principles taught by that church.

[@benekins4861]

Amen

[@plporter]

When Professors at BYU first started teaching about Evolution, many church leaders were on the wrong side of Science...... It seems reasonable that the church should stay out of higher education and stick to Seminary, and Institute. Since BYU is starting a Medical School, would you trust a Doctor who spent more time in Religion classes than they did in Nutrition classes?

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

Definitely, but Commissioner Gilbert is going far beyond "belief in the basic principles taught by [the church]." If you interview for a position at BYU, you are interrogated as to (among other things) whether you have any friends who are gay. If you are honest and admit that you do (inasmuch as most people who are not living under a rock as of 2025 do know at least a few gay people), you will not be hired. That you do not approve of the gay lifestyle (much less that you would never think to endorse it as an option for students) doesn't matter. I hate to acknowledge this reality. I would not even believe that it was happening were it not for multiple unimpeachable sources. It was not like this ten or twenty years ago, but this is the system that Gilbert has created. Honestly I struggle to believe that Pres. Nelson or Pres. Eyering would approve of it.

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

Mrs. Stack would agree with you on that. You should watch the video again.

[@troycline92]

Watch the video again. The problem is that the basic principle of the church is that members can hold whatever personal beliefs they choose on issues of gay marriage and other LGBTQ rights. This basic principle is NOT being applied to BYU professors.

[@jaredgardner5275]

I love all the shots of generic Security Cameras. Trying real hard to give Big Brother vibes. lol

[@brb5506]

The difference between Church members and faculty members is that faculty have a pulpit, figurative or literal, that allows them to influence students, some of whom are very impressionable. Therefore, BYU faculty are held to a stricter standard, closer to that of someone being called to a leadership position in the Church. On the other hand, speaking out against Clark Gilbert's statements and being penalized -- if this has happened -- comes across as Clark Gilbert on an ego trip. I'm not saying he's egotistical. Maybe, it was reported with the intention to make him appear that way.

[@jflash19]

I was of the understanding that BYU is a private university, and therefore should be able to do what they want. She's grasping here.

[@djwolffrankfurt]

Sure, the church is able to do what it wants, but when what it leads to a reduction in the quality of teaching and research and mutes the spirit of open enquiry required for a great university, is it good? Is it wise?

[@jflash19]

Depends on your perspective. It is still a private university, the tribune is trying to dictate to BYU how they think it should be run. A religious university being shunned because they are too religious? That’s crazy.

[@polyglot6542]

There is a long standing policy that professors are given the right to think free. That is at the core of knowledge acquisition.

[@incognito137]

If they don't like it go somewhere else. Parents and students should expect a religious tone and presidence if a religious school is chosen.

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

BYU should be able to do what the First Presidency, under inspiration want. The question is whether certain overly zealous people at lower levels are trying to score points by taking actions that are not in the best interest of the school or the Church long term. Mrs. Stack is not making the case that BYU has any legal downside in demanding that the professors be purer than pure; merely that it's not a good direction in terms of the school's standing, the cause of academic freedom or the welfare of the student body. No one should imagine that Mrs. Stack is attempting some unwarranted "hit" piece against the Church. On the contrary, she wishes the best for the Church and BYU. Her paternal grandfather was Harvey Fletcher, the father of stereophonic sound was, in his day, BYU's leading physics professor. Her uncle Jim Fletcher was the head of NASA. Her maternal grandfather, Wallace Bennett, was the Republican Senator from Utah for decades; while her uncle Robert Bennett later was also a Utah Senator from 1993 to 2011. I knew all of these people personally except for Senator Bennett, pere. They were, every one of them, brilliant and utterly devoted to the Restored Gospel.

[@ThoseOneGuysInc]

Great policy for BYU. I’m excited for the future. I hope the professors that are antagonistic to the church’s beliefs find good jobs at secular schools where they can be more comfortable.

[@incognito137]

💯

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

This is not about protecting "professors that are antagonistic to the church’s beliefs." In eight years at BYU, I never met or even heard of such a person. This is about "looking beyond the mark" in order to achieve an unhealthy level of conformity on issues where members can reasonably differ.

[@jordan5113]

You haven't heard of any professor at BYU in the last 8 years being antagonistic to the Church? I'd say either that means you agree with those who are antagonistic and thus don't think it's antagonistic, or you have ignored every 'controversy' in that time.

[@caitlinwhite237]

@@Comm.DavidPorter there definitely are professors that are antagonistic towards the church at BYU. Remember that professor that tore up the family proclamation on camera? He had a right to his own beliefs and positions in his private life. But he doesn’t have the right to openly oppose the doctrine in his capacity as a professor. There’s an honor code. And all BYU professors which are members are required to have ecclesiastical endorsements and hold a Temple recommend. One of those temple recommend questions pertains to holding views contrary to the gospel. Another pertains to sustaining the general officers of the church. So if someone is actively teaching and promoting things that go against the teachings of the church they’re in violation of the contracts they signed when becoming staff at BYU. These teachers in their capacity as staff do not have the right to speak out against church teachings or try to subvert or change them to fit their own agendas. It’s ridiculous that we’ve even gotten to this point.

[@oakletproductions8851]

"if it's best and brightest faculty choose not to go there, it will definitely limit its accomplishments". This is the conclusion the Trib has after interviewing disgruntled faculty who do not want to follow the faith requirements. Those who consider themselves "the best and the brightest" do so out of pride. Not humility. The University is in no danger if they are left with the humble and faithful.

[@myhomein]

What do you expect from The Salt Lake Tribune? Real journalism? They are just being consisent with their intial charter from their beginning!

[@andrewjosepholson]

There is a world of difference between what is expected of Church members (who, on average, are very new to the Church), and what is expected of Church employees (who should be very mature in the Church, and who derive their incomes from the tithes of members). But beyond that, professors at Church-owned and operated, private universities need to be held to an even higher standard because, unlike other Church employees, they are charged with teaching the doctrines of the Church accurately, and not to teach their own personal opinions, or the popular opinions in culture broadly. A similar document and pledge at the State-funded, (read “taxpayer”), secular University of Utah, would be scandalous. But at the 3 BYU’s and Ensign College? Meh, not so much.

[@raphaelmordo3022]

It’s a private school, they can decide whatever requirements they choose! It may be extreme, it may seem harsh and if a person perceives it to be that then you have the option to choose to go to one of a thousand other universities!

[@incognito137]

💯

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

The requirements actually should not be extreme or harsh as they relate to a religion which proclaims that "the Glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth."

[@lisasmith8517]

@@Comm.DavidPorter They are actually just requiring the truth according to their own doctrine.

[@richardduerden9526]

As Hamlet says, "It is not, nor it cannot come to, good. But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue." No one who understands the idea of a university could believe that repression belongs in one. Anyone who knows about Jesus knows that he questioned and challenged ecclesiastical leaders and that questioning is a good.

[@LatterDaisySaint]

Jesus was going up against religious leaders and scribes who professed a butchered understanding of scripture. He was correcting, clarifying and had the AUTHORITY to do so. College professors who teach their own butchered understanding to students - teachings which go against core doctrine - is nowhere NEAR the same as Jesus Christ - GOD- putting the grossly misinformed scribes and pharisees in their place.

[@LatterDaisySaint]

Jesus was going up against religious leaders and scribes who professed a butchered understanding of scripture. He was correcting, clarifying and had the AUTHORITY to do so. College professors who teach their own butchered understanding to students - teachings which go against core doctrine - is nowhere NEAR the same as Jesus Christ - GOD- putting the grossly misinformed scribes and pharisees in their place.

[@LatterDaisySaint]

Jesus was going up against religious leaders and scribes who professed a butchered understanding of scripture. He was correcting, clarifying... and had the AUTHORITY to do so. College professors (particularly at a CHURCH University) who teach their own butchered understanding to students - teachings which go against core doctrine - is nowhere NEAR the same thing as Jesus Christ - *GOD* - putting grossly misinformed scribes and pharisees in their place.

[@leightonanderson]

Jesus didn't "question" ecclesiastical leaders; he rebuked them. And he did so on the basis that he, not they, had the right and authority to declare true doctrine. Matt. 12:8; Mark 2:27-28 (Jesus declares that he is the lord of the sabbath). Nothing in Jesus' ministry or anywhere in scripture does it tell you that questioning or challenging divinely-inspired doctrine "is a good." That's BS. In his second epistle to his disciple Timothy, Paul famously wrote (NIV), "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." "Scripture" for this purpose refers to the inspired ("God-breathed") words of prophets, recorded for future reference and transmission to the church. Such teachings are in all cases ("all scripture," Paul said) useful for teaching and rebuking others, all as part of "training in righteousness." Nothing about that is subject to challenge or tells you that challenges of established doctrine "is a good."

[@codeman966]

Well then, if you don't like the standards of a PRIVATE university, then leave

[@incognito137]

💯

[@saipuakivikaupias]

and people sadly are... until BYU experiences a "miraculous" change in policy

[@holmanwealth]

Peggy seems to be more involved in activism than journalism.

[@dylanroberts8478]

I'm not clear on why personal opinions on politics and social issues seem to be so important to faculty who reportedly are really scared of this form. Example, if I'm teaching accounting, why would I need to voice my personal views on social issues. Even if I'm teaching political science, I'm going to be teaching from case studies and research. When do students benefit from my personal views...?

[@kelibbysmom]

That’s exactly the point. Most faculty are just trying to lend their years of training and research to teach their subject matter in an accurate and honest way. Most don’t want their personal views to become part of the discussion. This is why BYU’s actions are extra egregious and compromise the integrity of the faculty and the principle of academic freedom.

[@Lorilovesyou5385]

I don’t think it’s about if they share it in class, but that the professors have to agree on political/social issues full stop.

[@Sabra1776]

Peggy Fletcher Stack has made a 50 year career at the Trib criticizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I remember being at lunch with her back in the late 70’s when she whined about the church through the whole meal. She sounded exactly the same during this pathetic effort to pick away at an institution she just can’t leave alone.

[@troycline92]

@@Sabra1776 Gee, a journalist holding the powerful and influential accountable?! Sounds exactly like what a good journalist is supposed to do.

[@blizzard2oo]

This discussion is reminiscent of the "September seven" of several years ago. Seven BYU faculty members were subject to disciplinary action for being in violation of University instructional policy. Those seven lost church membership and lost faculty positions. It is interesting to note that my recent information indicates that only one of the seven has returned to Church membership.

[@nealljones]

Are you confusing this with the September 6? I don't think all of those were BYU professors.

[@MontanaMomma1]

A private university can make up any rules they need. Just don’t accept government money to run the place. Good luck with your campaign to start a medical school, you’re going to need it when it’s time to get accredited.

[@cierralynseventeen2298]

I'm sure they will be just fine.

[@sputnik604]

The medical school is going to raise up doctors that serve underprivileged citizens of the world, it’s going to be fantastic! Can’t wait for my children / grand children to go there

[@pauljustensen2147]

This is definitely an opinion "journalist". There is less reporting in this piece and more advocacy for her desired result. BYU is a private university and the reporter's opinion of the doctrine matters much less than the facts of the situation. The church can make whatever honor code or other standards it wants for faculty and students who go to a school that it sponsors and pays for, and as long as they are fairly applied, an outside "journalist" with an agenda should not get a voice on the matter.

[@incognito137]

💯

[@plporter]

Are you a Journalist? Are you a BYU Alumni? You seem to have no problem offering your "opinion".... As Mormons, we tend to not see the irony that very non-Momon sees 20-20.

[@blizzard2oo]

Yes, I am a BYU alum.

[@RunShootSki]

Not extreme. And if “good faculty” don’t want to live to a higher standard, then they can leave. Many many bright professors would love to work there

[@tybaltmarr2158]

So... liberal faculty at BYU feel the same fear that conservative faculty have felt for decades at liberal universities?? 🤷‍♂️ getting fired for not towing an ideological line. Feeling anxious around colleagues in case they report you for wrongthink.

[@timmiestabrnak]

This is a false equivalence fallacy. BYU is taking a stand against facts. Conservatives oppose facts, conservatives are not victims, simply because universities say that the entire purpose is the study and spread of information.

[@D-Flin]

⁠@@timmiestabrnak “conservatives oppose facts” I think you’re proving his point

[@diannemaurer1688]

Looks like Clark Gilbert is doing a great job!

[@mcwatsington1646]

This comment section is missing the point. Of course BYU is a private institution and can make its own rules. She never says otherwise. The issue here is that most distinguished, highly-educated academics tend to skew more liberal-leaning. If you don’t allow a space for these kinds of thoughts, you will lose many of the good professors that boost BYU’s rankings. You will also lose a lot of interest from highly-regarded potential professors. No one will want to work there. Not to mention that the younger generations tend to skew liberal too (whether you agree with them or not, it is a fact). BYU’s interest to prospective students has already taken a nose-dive in the last decade. Do you think only having very conservative professors is going to help that? Bottom line, BYU will lose valuable professors until it no longer becomes an admirable, highly-sought after university. The student body will shrink significantly, and it won’t have the reputation it once had to potential employers. This is bad, no matter how you slice it.

[@caitlinwhite237]

Respectfully, I think you might be missing the point. Higher academia is being absolutely *savaged* right now by professors that are more activists than actual educators. So many students at universities today aren’t being educated but rather indoctrinated to toe party lines. That isn’t a good thing. BYU has put its foot down and said “not here.” Which they absolutely have a right to do. It’s a private religious institution. Why should they be held hostage by bad faith actors who actively promote things that violate the mission statement of the very institution that pays their bills? These people are upset because they feel entitled to spread their beliefs wherever they want. Even in spaces where it is inappropriate to do so. And wherein they are specifically under contract not to. I don’t think BYU is missing out by not coddling these people. There are plenty of extremely qualified and faithful teachers out there who are professional enough to actually obey the parameters of their employment contracts while still providing a world class education to the students. It doesn’t matter what a staff members politics are. What matters is that they’re doing their job professionally and not using the position of authority afforded by their employment to push their politics. The fact that this has become such a common problem in our country speaks to greater societal issues.

[@sherriedix5837]

This lady acts like she’s uncovering something nefarious but she’s really just confirming that you need to have integrity in the workplace. If I smack talked my boss and got my coworkers to become activists against our company……. I’d be fired as well.

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

Do you have any examples of people who have "smack talked" the church or encouraged anyone to "become activists against" it? That's actually not at issue in the article. I agree that BYU should not hire or retain any professor who would do such things. The author's concern relates to a more subtle level of mind control that conflicts with what a university should be, going back to the Enlightenment and beyond.

[@nicholasmecham6281]

There is no controversy here.

[@andrewrobertwells]

I interviewed with Clark Gilbert when I applied to work at BYU-Idaho. I believe he is an honorable man, and I trust his judgement. He will make BYU a better place!

[@FLanklinBadge]

I am a huge Clark Gilbert fan. Totally support him and what he's doing.

[@tothemoon4776]

He's like all the rest I'm sure. Business guy or lawyer who was rich and got promoted to be a General Authority.

[@TheYgds]

The fact this has ticked off Peggy tells me it was the right call. Our tithing money funds that school and pays the faculty's salary. The Proclamation to the World on the Family is part of this year's curriculum in "Come Follow Me" being put up with the D&C. I wonder if the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve will propose it for canonization this year? I hope so. The middle ground is no longer any option.

[@ThoseOneGuysInc]

Tribs gonna trib.

[@JS-ls6ky]

LOL I was raging for a min about this video and then I read your comment. Thank you for putting this into perspective lol.

[@hobgoblin1976]

Excellent use of the English language.

[@LatterDaisySaint]

IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME.

[@LatterDaisySaint]

👉 To those bringing up Jesus... Jesus was going up against religious leaders and scribes who professed a butchered understanding of scripture. He was correcting, clarifying and had the AUTHORITY to do so. College professors teaching their own personal butchered understanding to students - teachings which go against core doctrine (at a CHURCH University) - is nowhere NEAR the same as Jesus Christ -*GOD* Himself - putting the grossly misinformed scribes and pharisees in their place.

[@incognito137]

💯

[@idwtgymn]

This video is a joke. The whole thing is her complaining that you have to support church doctrine to teach at a church school. What did you expect? Obivously that is a requirement. Then the many repeated complaints that the standard is higher than that of a temple recomend, well of course church employees are held to a higher standard than the basic member standard. Or her complaints of "this isn't even doctrine" - everything she said is doctrine, she clearly does not know church doctrine well (for example, church members are expected to oppose same sex marriage, she is just dead wrong there). The best part was her accusing a church of "intruding into a person's beliefs" - what do you think a church is? If you have this sort of perspective, why do you want anything to do with a church school in the first place?

[@TheYgds]

This is the most encouraging thing I've heard come out of BYU. There is hope yet. This silliness from her is utterly ridiculous. At one time everyone understood what the recommend question about our outside sympathies meant, now, BYU is just asking its Professors to clarify about one particular out of the host of opposing ideologies to the Church. It also isn't hard to pass the Temple Recommend questions. The bar is pretty low.

[@plporter]

Things have changed since I last attended BYU in 1980, so can you list what those "outside sympathies meant"? I would really like to know what has changed.

[@function0077]

If they demand that they support church doctrine, then the LDS church needs to clearly state what its doctrine actually is. Good luck with that! They are going to have to do a little bit better than pray, pay, and obey.

[@lisasmith8517]

Regarding race, marriage, and gender... they have, very very clearly.

[@wondermut3226]

This is inaccurate. The characterization is laughable. Yes, I agree a purging is indeed happening, but it is long overdue. It you want to teach at the private owned school of the lds church, you can have your own opinions, but you shouldn't be publicly teaching and or advocating against the Church or its positions. If you insist on opposing their positions, go teach somewhere else. BYU is a private university. Get in line, or move on.

[@bloviax]

Nobody can tell ME what to do... unless I choose to work at a private religious university, then yes, they totally can.

[@haroldwhite5761]

How does this school still have accreditation?

[@BushBaby801]

Wow. I want my 6 minutes and 16 seconds back....what a nothing-burger "story."

[@evanhill9890]

I went to BYU with Clark Gilbert (91-94) and overlapped with him at the Harvard Business School (96-98). I have always known Clark to be a stand up guy with high integrity, intellect and honesty. Very capable. Great family guy as well. I am sad to see that Clark appears to be following Mr. Holland down the rabbit hole. Church history is littered with these cycles, repeatedly being on the wrong side of important social issues while firmly believing God is whispering the misinformation in their ear. Mr. Holland will set BYU back several decades for future church leadership to dig out and repair. It saddens me to see Clark trade away compassion and integrity for dogma and rigidity. Had I known how freely the value of my diploma would be sold out from under me, I'd have gone elsewhere. I cannot, in good conscience, support BYU as an institution. The best and brightest will surely go somewhere else while leadership goofs around with fake inspiration and fear of progress and real learning. They do it in the name of Jesus, just as they will eventually have a revelation reversing this foolishness and fix it in Jesus' name, without apology or real contrition, missing the whole repentance process as they are currently missing central points of their own gospel.

[@PresidentBrighamYoung]

You would have hated my leadership.

[@Ty-fe1ob]

It's tough to take you seriously when you state a lie in the first minute of the video. "All faculty already had to have a temple recommend" is not an accurate statement. Why not simply state the truth?

[@JeffTiberend]

This is why I have always been supportive of the University of Utah. The more I’ve heard about BYU over the years the more creepy it gets. I think it will be interesting to see to see how many long term faculty members leave teaching at BYU as their freedom to teach is reduced, scrutinized, and controlled.

[@goodtoGoNow1956]

As I understand it, Peggy Fletcher Stack worked hard and rejoiced when she was able to get people who thought differently from her -- fired. So now she complains when its officials who do it?

[@plporter]

Source ?

[@goodtoGoNow1956]

@@plporter would it actually make a difference?

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

Who would that be? Are you talking about other reporters / editors for the Tribune?

[@mattsmiscelaney7966]

TLDR: Peggy Fletcher Stack wants BYU to be a secular university.

[@JerryWashburn-l7p]

What a mealy mouthed bunch of nonsense!!!

[@StormCrow77]

No data, just conjecture

[@tothemoon4776]

There's no data the events of the Book of Mormon happened.

[@KidFreshie]

The church and Elder Gilbert are free to refute anything said here. But they won't. And we all know why.

[@plporter]

Who's fault is it that Elder Gilbert did not provide "data" or respond to the reporter's request for information?

[@lisasmith8517]

@@tothemoon4776 And it doesn't make accusations like this piece does either.

[@HumanCentered]

This is an excellent piece! Peggy Fletcher Stack bends over backwards to be fair and measured, but this job must be extremely difficult.

[@senorbaconhawk11]

Peggy Fletcher Stack is a Utah treasure.

[@incognito137]

🤣

[@goodtoGoNow1956]

You have to be trolling

[@stefanylclark7419]

It's about time! BYU Professors should be held to a higher standard! They are free to think, study and research as they wish, just not over the classroom pulpit! Parents are fed up with woke Profs abusing classroom authority to promote and preach personal agendas. Get a job at Berkley!

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

Do you have any examples of any "woke Professors abusing classroom authority to promote and preach personal agendas"? If it's happening now, it would be an extreme departure from my time as a student there. I was asked basically that question by Pres. Benson when my roommate and I had dinner with him in his home in 1972. We were pleased to report that to our experience the faculty were loyal to the Church nearly to a fault, and never preached anything contrary to its teaching. I had one professor who was not a member, but who actually did more to promote the Church's moral standards in the course of her lectures than almost anyone else under whom I studied (not counting religion professors, of course).

[@leightonanderson]

Stack is being stunningly intellectually and journalistically dishonest here; why am I not surprised. To provide assurance of fidelity to Church teachings on marriage and family IS clearly WITHIN the scope of temple worthiness, which Stack here denies.

[@plporter]

The Proclamation to the Family was written by a committee, plus a bunch of lawyers. It is NOT a revelation and furthermore, it goes against the established doctrine in D&C 132. Is Plural Marriage a true church doctrine or a false church doctrine?

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

No, she doesn't. She specifically says that the "assurance of fidelity to Church teachings on marriage and family" as set forth in temple worthiness interviews are not problematic. It's where Commissioner Gilbert and his team are going beyond those standards that the problems evidently arise.

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

@@plporter If so, that committee and "those lawyers" did an excellent job. Indeed, I would hold that they had the benefit of revelation in order to arrive at the final form of the document. Plural marriage went out over a hundred years ago. The debate as to whether it is or was a "true church doctrine" is mainly academic. The only people obsessed with it are those who deny the inspiration behind the 1890 Manifesto, and who have constructed unto themselves various apostate organization that resemble mafia operations more than bona fide religious bodies.

[@cierralynseventeen2298]

It's about time. I have been wanted the church to separate from BYU because the teachings at byu haven't lined up with the church for a while. I'm glad they are doing something about it. The teachers need to stop teacher their personal agenda. Go teach at a different school. Why would you want to teach at a religious school if you don't agree with that religion? Same with the students, why go to a religious school if you don't like religion.

[@bloviax]

Seriously, teachers' unique new ideas to change the future of the Church might not be the most welcomed thing at BYU, that's fine. I hope my kids can go there and that it will be AS SQUARE AS CAN BE.

[@ddben4267]

We as parents uphold these critical guidelines for teachers. Teachers should always have a higher standard because they are shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation. There should be no labels for righteous living and beliefs, like ‘orthodox’. We should all be striving for excellency. If there are any offended, then that is a weeding out process that might need to be done.

[@michaeldame]

The Salt Lake Tribune is not a fair and balanced source for reporting on LDS church subjects from what I have read over the course of the past several years. It shouldn't be any surprise that BYU is a PRIVATE University, and that its faculty should all be willingly onboard to agree to the standards and demands set forth. If they aren't then of course they should leave and not feel compelled to stay and conform. Its called agency. Bottom line this is all pretty silly from my vantage point.

[@plporter]

If you were a faculty member, with tenure, you may feel differently. When Elder Gilbert is replaced, and the goal of BYU returns to be that of a University rather than Seminary 2.0 it would have been a mistake to leave.

[@cub3head]

SLC Tribune Newsflash: Disciples of Christ should believe and act like disciples of Christ! In other news: water is wet!

[@alexblake5743]

Oh no, BYU doesn't want woke professors.

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

One must hope that it doesn't. But this goes beyond a mere concern about wokeness.

[@brycefairbourn7358]

Zero sources cited. No opposing views given. Weak reporting/video.

[@KidFreshie]

I guess you just closed your eyes to the part about reaching out to the church and Mr. Gilbert for comment just like you close your eyes to all the evidence the church is a lie.

[@plporter]

Who's fault is it that Elder Gilbert did not provide "data" or respond to the reporter's request for information?

[@Metalhead_P]

Welcome to "Journalism 2025," where facts are anathema, intelligence is grounds for dismissal, and integrity is considered to be a hate crime.

[@brycefairbourn7358]

@@plporter It is not the subject's job to report the news and there are many ways to gain a source other than the subject themselves. Good reporting has a credible source (multiple sources if its great reporting) and also provides both views of an argument so that we the consumers can judge for ourselves where the truth lies. When a reporter becomes the judge, jury and executioner it is no longer news, it's propaganda. Videos like this are why reporters and news outlets in general are loosing credibility.

[@rkn2800]

The constant control tactics of the Church over its members, including its employees, is extremely annoying (according to this member) and consistent with cultish behavior.

[@bloviax]

SO DON'T WORK THERE. I've worked there for two stints, why would anyone not committed to the cause even bother? The pay is sub standard, benefits are good.

[@silveriogarcia2431]

Gilbert is an awesome guy. Making him look scary is ridiculous.

[@bloviax]

He is such a great guy. So glad he has the job.

[@rachelkrueger2958]

I am grateful for Peggy’s work. She’s bringing up important conversations. Though as a private institution BYU, they can dictate their hiring process, the question is, are all their policies for hiring ethical. Universities are supposed to challenge belief, broaden horizons. I hope things pan out well for BYU

[@BunnyWatson-k1w]

When I interviewed at a university that was Christian Reformed I was asked about religious beliefs. I had to sign a statement I would not discuss LDS core beliefs in the classroom and stick with the school's religious views. I probably wasn't the right kind of "Christian" in their eyes, since I was denied a job there. Incidentally, a friend in the same PhD program as mine applied there. He was a Christian Reformed church member his whole life and was still denied a position at the university. He thinks his answers to questions in interviews may have been to "liberal" for the institution.

[@damianarteta447]

Sounds like the church is going to make another big, negative push to push on this topic again.

[@LeoMichalek]

Wow.. So BYU a religious school wants it's faculty to adhere to and promote the Churches basic teachings.. Crazy.. great journalism!

[@Metalhead_P]

Requirements SHOULD be stricter for faculty at BYU. They have the potential to influence heavily thousands of students. That aside, this woman is spouting nothing but spin and half-truths, abandoning context, and displaying a spectacular ignorance of actual LDS Church doctrine and policy. Typical anti-Mormon blabbering, of course. The attempt to pose as an intellectual is comical. Her use of the "Oh, this is so sad and tragic! I'm so pained!" tone of voice is particularly funny. Emotion is the go-to tactic of the dull-witted, and this woman is clearly of that ilk. Although, to be fair, I will admit that she might not really be a moron. It's possible that she's just pretending to be a moron for some reason. And I do have to say, I'm impressed at the excellent job she's doing of it! Bravo!

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

Your comment achieves nothing beyond establishing your own ignorance and biases. Peggy Stack has never uttered a single "anti-Mormon" word in her entire life. And undoubtedly has a much greater knowledge than you do of "actual LDS Church doctrine and policy."

[@hunterlavallee8122]

Think of the UN!

[@laurenra7]

BYU is a private institution funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They have a specific, declared mission to educate students in accordance with church doctrine. Hiring teachers who adhere to that policy makes sense. The only controversy here is from people who'd rather impose their view of certain doctrines on their students. Go teach at a different school if that bothers you.

[@bradtrowell282]

Well, it is a private university. Due to that they can run the school as they seem fit. Just like any other private university. If any individual doesn’t like that they can teach or enroll at some other university.

[@llamalinguist3250]

So this lady thinks the Church should pay people to openly rail against its doctrines? Anyone else find that ridiculous?

[@caitlinwhite237]

I kind of hope BYU sues the tribune for libel.

[@richardduerden9526]

Silencing dissent and compelling compliance--what clearer way to tell all the world that a church has given up on truth, love, kindness, and pure knowledge?

[@AxelQC]

You can't run a university with faculty afraid to speak their minds.

[@function0077]

At the very latest, that happened when Brigham Young was alive.

[@leightonanderson]

Oh come on. A religious institution that fails to expect adherence to the tenets of the faith very quickly loses coherence as a religious institution. Truth, love, kindness, and pure knowledge are all expressed in and by those tenets; to expect the institution to deny that is to expect it to disclaim those very tenets as canonical. Which is exactly what the "dissenters" want and why they refuse (as reported here) to express allegiance to them.

[@sputnik604]

Jesus, who many believe was the WAY the TRUTH and LIGHT, who was the embodiment of LOVE, taught what is being implemented here - he said, if ye are not ONE ye are not mine. His teachings led man out of the depravity of all ages prior, and into the kindness and stability of the western world. I’ll think the chances of success probably go up for a person and institution the more they sincerely commit to His teachings and practices.

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

Same old Salt Lake Tribunal. Always trying to malign the church and the members. And is it just me, or does this woman look like something out of the Walking Dead?

[@mattsnyder1629]

This seems more of a personal opinion piece by Peggy. Not a factual or fair portrayal by any means. Any person that represents any organization in the world (religious or not) will be expected to do things that others aren't.

[@zachgarver7922]

My guess is there are no statues or halls honoring John Stuart Mill at BYU

[@alamoclayton0306]

So not freedom of religion, but following Lucifer's plan? Forcing people to believe and punish them if they do not follow? Interesting!

[@function0077]

Yeah, we have the 1st amendment. People are free to believe and do silly things. And other people are free to criticize it.

[@lisasmith8517]

Nope... you can't behave like Lucifer and expect to stay in heaven. Shocker.

[@khamphaeng714]

Is the Family: A Proclamation to the World not doctrine?

[@plporter]

NOPE, it was written by a committee, plus a bunch of lawyers. Not a revelation and it goes against the established doctrine in D&C 132.

[@KidFreshie]

Not only it is not doctrine, it was written by lawyers SPECIFICALLY as a dishonest secular legal maneuver for the church to gain amicus status for a legal case they were not involved in.

[@khamphaeng714]

@KidFreshie Nah. I’m pretty sure it’s doctrine.

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

@@KidFreshie Specifics?

[@lisasmith8517]

The document itself has yet to be determined as doctrine, but the information stated within it has long been doctrine.

[@jonjahr3403]

Personally, i do wonder if the removal of Dr. Kevin J. Worthen as University President had anything to do with this.

[@polyglot6542]

When any organization uses methods to silence one's free thought it proves to be dangerous!

[@blizzard2oo]

BYU is NOT "any organization." BYU is a private University. BYU must maintain integrity of LDS faith. With thousands of our young people attending BYU, no teachings of any discipline should be allowed by any faculty member which opposes principles of the Church. It becomes a slightly different situation in the event the faculty member states certain ideas or philosophies are at odds with teachings of the LDS Church.(and DOES NOT promote said ideas)

[@chrisalthoff3286]

I think a “private university” still falls under the umbrella of “any organization” as it’s used here, considering it is a type of organization and “any” implies all. But go off, king.

[@TheGfrancom]

This video came up on my feed, so I watched it. It's the biggest nothing burger I've ever eaten.

[@sputnik604]

She’s trying to create a controversy where there isn’t one. BYU is a private school tied to a church and its beliefs. It makes sense that it expects teachers at the school to rightly represent the teachings of the church (unlike Peggy). If anyone doesn’t like that arrangement it’s their prerogative to work at and attend school somewhere else. A religious institution should predictably be different from a non-religious one. Please stop trying to remove religion from society in such a disingenuous manner. Rita Skeeter couldn’t be prouder.

[@incognito137]

💯

[@plporter]

The teaching of the church has evolved considerably since I graduated from BYU in 1980. What someone signed up for as a new employee 10 years ago is changing, how is that not a problem?

[@sputnik604]

@@plporterthe doctrine of the church hasn’t changed. I can’t speak to how hiring has changed, but yes, it probably has, like it has for most organizations over the same time period.

[@Moksha-Raver]

Elder Gilbert is trying to show why BYU does not belong in the PAC-12 Conference of Universities which upholds the rigorous standards of education and free thought. Even Baylor is way too liberal for BYU. Elder Gilbert may well have the faculty signing a pledge that the Earth can be no more than 6000 years old and that it worshipped Joseph Smith.

[@jaredshipp9207]

BYU isn't in the PAC-12, genius.

[@telestial_mormon]

Great article and video. Times are a changin at byu it appears

[@jacobmayberry1126]

Data on the political affiliation of the student body and faculty at BYU shows that it is one of the most politically balanced universities in the country. These measures the church is taking are simply keeping it from becoming a woke echochamber that other universities have become.

[@plporter]

There are plenty of liberal-thinking people that know that "Woke" can go to far. What about those people?

[@jacobmayberry1126]

@plporter those people should have nothing to fear.

[@swissbergs]

Talented and bright faculty have already left (communication disorders department for example). 😢😠

[@incognito137]

🎉

[@lisasmith8517]

I would argue about the talented and bright part if they were violating their contract to work there.

[@brianblack7116]

@@swissbergs being talented and bright isn’t enough. They must also be committed to the mission of the university and church that owns it.

[@mpccengineer]

Nobody has ever accused the Salt Lake Tribune of great journalism. Most of the US does not even know it exists. Just about the only good thing in Salt Lake City is the church. The rest is a dump.

[@plporter]

So I am guessing you are NOT a Ute fan?

[@Metalhead_P]

It's hard to believe that the Salt Lake Tribune isn't satire. It makes The National Enquirer seem like serious reporting by comparison.

[@kil-roy]

BYU shouldn't be accredited as a university

[@ThoseOneGuysInc]

BYU has excellent academics and produces graduates that excel in their fields.

[@cierralynseventeen2298]

Why? Is it because they have different beliefs than most?

[@debbieshrubb1222]

Is BYU being used to money launder tithing donations from other countries eg Canada?

[@Comm.DavidPorter]

No. That is, in any event, a ridiculous statement. There is no prohibition in the tax code against the use of charitable contributions from members in other countries to support the organization's schools in the US. Notably, BYU has a great many student from other countries, as do most eminent educational institutions in the USA.

[@debbieshrubb1222]

@Comm.DavidPorter what percentage are from overseas? What percentage of money from overseas goes into BYU coffers and is it proportionate to the number of students from a given country.

[@rbrobyn1]

BYU is not a university. It's merely a seminary.

[@ameyers67]

Adios

[@voltage12345]

I don't think that there's enough information provided in this video that explains the temple recommend questions well enough to give an appropriate stance on BYU's policies and procedures. It's been made pretty clear by church authorities over the past decade that the doctrine is that God's definition of Marriage solely exists between a man and a woman. All BYU professors have been hired with active temple recommends and so it kind of sounds like if someone isn't complying with the Church Commissioner's explanation of the doctrine, (who I remind you meets with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on a monthly basis) , it's their own fault and negligence. I also felt like this editorial targeted a single person when really it shouldn't have.

[@timmiestabrnak]

So culty

[@dr_maes484]

😂

[@melissabodily3675]

Homes are the most sacred place❤

[@plporter]

Yes Patric M. is sacred, but Josh Allen is better.

[@t5l239]

Oh well boo hoo BYU Football should be investigated.

[@plporter]

why?