“In the mid-twentieth century as the LDS Church slid into increasing xenophobia and anti-intellectualism, Sterling McMurrin, Obert Tanner, and Lowell Bennion raised underappreciated but eloquent voices. With robust liberalism, tough integrity, and loyalty to principle, they steadfastly called Mormonism back to its best self. The need for such voices now, in the disillusionment, violence, and fear of the early twenty-first century, is intense. These sparkling and insightful essays come at the right moment.”
—Lavina Fielding Anderson, editor, Salt Lake City
“Inspiring stories about three remarkable friends, teachers and mentors whose Mormon roots deeply influenced their commitment to culture and community. They succeeded in carving out a place within the LDS Church and yet beyond its reach.”
—Grethe Peterson, Emeritus Director of the Tanner Lectures on Human Values
“Conscience and Community is a delightful addition to the somewhat neglected field of Utah’s intellectual history and is a fascinating window into the lives of three men who shepherded Utah through a transition period from ideological isolationism into Utah’s full participation in the national marketplace of ideas.”
—Utah Historical Quarterly “This collection of essays is a rich treat for historians interested in twentieth-century Mormon thought.…The questions raised by this volume and its contributions to our understanding of liberal Mormonism will reward the reader. The combination of scholarly analysis and personal reminiscences remind us that McMurrin, Tanner, and Bennion had a tremendous impact upon their students, friends, and family. Their lives represent a meeting place between non-Mormon and Mormon thought and reveal the creative process by which those strands are merged.”
—Journal of Mormon History
