As a graduate of BYU, I am always grateful to see my alma mater behave like a great university by encouraging critical thinking and honest, faithful inquiry. The courage shown by mathematics Professor David Cardon in his recent exhortation to students is commendable. He urged students to recognize a modern Korihor, Nehor, Gadianton, and wicked King Noah (all in one) when they see such a man in real life, rather than only on a page of scripture. These four Book of Mormon bad boys don’t hold a candle (much less sword, rifle, or nuclear code) to the most powerful man in the world today.
Professor Cardon tacked a note on his office door denouncing Donald Trump, saying “by almost all objective standards” he is “an evil man.” The professor warned that if a majority of people choose an evil leader there will be terrible consequences, and he listed Trump’s extensive wrongdoings and referred to Mosiah in the Book of Mormon: “And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you, yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction.”
“Now that you’ve made this choice,” Professor Cardon told those who had voted for Trump, “you should expect this prophecy to be fulfilled.”
Some students took umbrage and criticized Cardon. Their condemnation was amplified by an unofficial conservative student-run paper, The Cougar Chronicle, which claimed, “[this] blatant hostility shown to Trump voters thus creates a risk of sowing the seeds of dissension and conflict among his students.” It’s hard to see any “blatant hostility” in Brother Cardon’s reference to scripture, even if it is a verse teaching a hard truth like this one.
Actually, Professor Cardon’s assessment of Trump has little to do with political parties or liberalism versus conservatism but, rather, about morality, integrity, and Brother Trump’s contempt for the rule of law. All of these, he flouts, belittles, or ignores. For good people anywhere, religious or not, such issues matter, or they should.
In these times of extremism and divisiveness, often fueled by misleading disinformation, the faithful turn to scripture as an unerring source that can be trusted. So it would seem that Brother Cardon’s use of this verse might be instructive rather than offensive to those who believe it as a trusted source. He responds, in fact, quite directly, saying that if this verse “offends you, then you should also be offended by the Book of Mormon,” adding that if it bothers you, “perhaps you don’t believe in it.”
Has all the disinformation and deception confused even the faithful, causing anger and resentment to overshadow humble, sincere seeking for understanding? If we immediately blame others as blatantly hostile, instead of patiently trying to understand something that doesn’t immediately agree with us, aren’t we guilty of what Mosiah is warning of? Another scripture urges us to “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” (1Ne 19:23) That kind of “likening” presupposes careful thought and study, which requires considerable effort, and a willingness to learn and to change, if need be.
Thank you, Dr. Cardon, for your honest and impressive courage to speak out in righteous indignation, the way the prophets of old always did. We need leaders today, in the church and the university, to declare evil when they see it, without concern for political party. The First Presidency’s recent directive to study issues and candidates and vote for honorable and decent people above party was ignored by too many, because it was a bit subtle, perhaps too diplomatic.
Universities, even religious ones like BYU, best serve students by valuing diverse perspectives on important matters, especially regarding morality and the rule of law. I am most grateful for David Cardon and others who aren’t afraid to declare a hard truth. Great leaders always have.
Giles Florence, Salt Lake City
