Matters of Conscience: Conversations with Sterling McMurrin on Philosophy, Education, and Religion

This is a book of primarily local and regional interest. For those who are unaware, Sterling McMurrin was a professor of philosophy at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City during the 50's, 60's, 70' and 80's. Sterling was considered one of the most scholarly and capable professors at the University and held a variety of important academic positions. In fact, during the John F. Kennedy Presidential administration, Sterling was United States Commissioner of Education (the position that was the forerunner of the cabinet level post, Secretary of Education).Those who do not live in the Mormon culture in Utah may not be able to appreciate large segments of the book. Sterling describes his years teaching Mormon Seminary in the Church Educational System and his subsequent history in the church. The most fascinating part of the book for me was when Sterling ran afoul of church leaders Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee for honestly informing them he did not believe in the most basic Mormon teachings. The subsequent story of him *almost* being brought to trial in a church court and being excommunicated is very interesting and entertaining. Apparently, than church President David O McKay personally intervened and prevented this from occurring. McMurrin met personally with McKay and the details of their conversation are highly interesting. It also furnishes an important insight as to why the LDS Church failed to open the priesthood to African Americans until 1978. (McKay favored doing it, but many people underneath him did not)After finishing the book, I was proud. I am proud that the University of Utah had such a distinguished professor for so many years. I am proud that the Mormon culture of which I am a part is capable of producing free-thinkers and intellectuals like McMurrin. Sterling McMurrin died in 1996. However, he left behind a legacy of fearless intellectual freedom and inquiry that will long prevail at the University of Utah.