By Ethan Fausett
Yesterday, Peggy Fletcher Stack, a writer for the Salt Lake Tribune, reported on X, “BYU now requires profs to have a "testimony" of the church's stance on "marriage, family and gender" … Is the LDS school becoming Liberty U?”
Stack is not reporting on a new policy, but one which has been in place since 2022. Stack’s new article shares stories from former BYU faculty who are critical of changes to employment practices within the Church Education System and its head, Elder Clark G. Gilbert.
In the article former BYU professor, Jason Bergman, called the new employment standard a “loyalty oath” suggesting that adhering to and supporting church doctrines on marriage and the family is, “un-Christlike.” He went on to conclude that BYU is “not safe for anyone who doesn’t fit the orthodox mold.”
Professor Taylor Petrey added, “The guidelines about what is — and isn’t — church doctrine can be ambiguous… What Clark Gilbert and some church leaders think is fixed and unquestionable church doctrine is not what others think.” Petrey went on to discuss the different points of doctrine which he believes are not established such as: LGBTQ+ issues, feminism, Heavenly Mother, and Brigham Young’s history with slavery.
Some professors reportedly expressed confusion because of the recent hiring of a religion professor who has written an anti-evolution book. Why is he hired without issue when those who advocate for socially progressive ideas such as feminism are seen as suspect?
The article also describes the process which a prospective hire at BYU goes through, including an interview with a general authority. In the past, spouses were invited to that interview. According to some interviewed by the Tribune, bringing their spouse to the general authority interview, “[Has] now has become required.” Petrey found this “unprecedented” saying that he has never heard of any other school requiring this.
Stack also shares in her article that one longtime professor she interviewed said that Elder Gilbert is, “the most proactive and interventionist commissioner we have ever had. We’ve never seen anyone this aggressive.”
Elder Gilbert declined to comment on Stack’s article. After it was published he posted on X “BYU’s mission is different … Some will see such a vision as compelling. Others will disagree and even criticize. Those of us who support BYU can engage critics with love, humility and patience.”
Gilbert's post linked an article by Hal Boyd, chief of staff for BYU President Shane Reese. Boyd writes in his article that, “[BYU] has a long way to go … there is a unified desire to continue taking the necessary steps to become the Christ-centered, prophetically directed university of prophecy … [BYU’s leaders] are doggedly committed to advancing BYU’s efforts to be a world-class university unwaveringly committed to BYU’s spiritual mission.”
Boyd continues, “BYU is supported and guided by a Church Board of Education, chaired by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as BYU’s executive committee, consisting of Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, both members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Michael T. Ringwood … and Sister Camille N. Johnson.
BYU’s leadership knows what the institution is and what it must become. Of course, not every student or faculty member is the right fit for an explicitly religious university that overtly supports and upholds the values, positions, policies and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
That’s OK.”
Public reaction to Stack’s article varies. Some like @BlackTino_Rican resonated with the article, “... This is incredibly disappointing but not surprising. Shame on BYU and the Church.”
However most on X responded similar to Kevin Smidt saying, ”It's almost like it's a private religious university."
The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent the position of Ward Radio News. Ward Radio News is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church) and does not officially represent the Church.