Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 2026
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:48 pm
Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
We all know and could easily name many highly intelligent and well educated people who are active believers in the Mormon Church today.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:12 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
I have brought up a good question. I know that the conversions I saw on my mission were mostly marginal people. Folks living day to day, with not much education. I don't recall seeing any professional type folks joining the church. Our mission president told us this was because the rich and successful usually do not have the humility to accept the gospel. Ya, right.
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 10719
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 4:36 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
It's a four way tie - Tobin, Droopy, ldsfaqs and why me.
That said, with the Book of Mormon, we are not dealing with a civilization with no written record. What we are dealing with is a written record with no civilization. (Runtu, Feb 2015)
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 14190
- Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:23 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Isn't Daniel C. Peterson some kind of convert, at least in a technical sense? Not that he came from a background devoid of Mormonism, but I don't think he got baptized until some way into his teens, if I recall correctly.
Zadok:
I did not have a faith crisis. I discovered that the Church was having a truth crisis.
Maksutov:
That's the problem with this supernatural stuff, it doesn't really solve anything. It's a placeholder for ignorance.
I did not have a faith crisis. I discovered that the Church was having a truth crisis.
Maksutov:
That's the problem with this supernatural stuff, it doesn't really solve anything. It's a placeholder for ignorance.
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 10719
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 4:36 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
palerobber wrote:We all know and could easily name many highly intelligent and well educated people who are active believers in the Mormon Church today.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
Take your pick.....
http://mormonscholarstestify.org
That said, with the Book of Mormon, we are not dealing with a civilization with no written record. What we are dealing with is a written record with no civilization. (Runtu, Feb 2015)
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 2026
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:48 pm
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Chap wrote:Isn't Daniel C. Peterson some kind of convert, at least in a technical sense? Not that he came from a background devoid of Mormonism, but I don't think he got baptized until some way into his teens, if I recall correctly.
i'm looking for someone who was baptised when an adult.
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 3323
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:26 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
From the people I know, Equality is the most intelligent person I know who converted as an adult. And Kevin Graham converted as an adult, If I recall correctly. Oh, wait, do they have to still be members or believers?
In that case, maklelan comes to mind. And no I'm not kidding. He's a bright, intelligent guy who converted as an adult and is still a believer.
In that case, maklelan comes to mind. And no I'm not kidding. He's a bright, intelligent guy who converted as an adult and is still a believer.
"It doesn't seem fair, does it Norm--that I should have so much knowledge when there are people in the world that have to go to bed stupid every night." -- Clifford C. Clavin, USPS
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:43 pm
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
This guy:

I mean, he is a nuclear engineer, right?

I mean, he is a nuclear engineer, right?
I detest my loose style and my libertine sentiments. I thank God, who has removed from my eyes the veil...
Adrian Beverland
Adrian Beverland
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 4745
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:04 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
palerobber wrote:We all know and could easily name many highly intelligent and well educated people who are active believers in the Mormon Church today.
But who is the most intelligent person living today who converted to Mormonism as an adult?
Who is the brightest light among us who embraced Mormonism without having "believed implicitly in the maxims that he had imbibed at his mother's knee", but rather after the sort of fully informed and unbiased consideration that only an adult outsider could really hope to give. And furthermore, as we're all aware of the way love and loyalty can complicate life decisions of this sort, I would also rule out for purposes of this thread any convert who was married to, or seriously dating, a member of the LDS faith at the time of their conversion.
I don't have anyone in mind myself and look forward to any suggestions. Feel free to define "intelligent" any way you see fit.
Albert Einstein, wasn't he baptized in proxy?
Don't take life so seriously in that " sooner or later we are just old men in funny clothes" "Tom 'T-Bone' Wolk"
-
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 7625
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:58 am
Re: Most Intelligent Living Convert to Mormonism?
Don Bradley!
Although I do not know him personally (only through these boards and/or videos, interviews, etc) I have been both fascinated and perplexed by his departure then full return to the LDS fold.
I should mention that I fully recognize that these boards are clearly not the best source to really "know" someone. I think that is largely true for all of us!
Peace,
Ceeboo
Although I do not know him personally (only through these boards and/or videos, interviews, etc) I have been both fascinated and perplexed by his departure then full return to the LDS fold.
I should mention that I fully recognize that these boards are clearly not the best source to really "know" someone. I think that is largely true for all of us!
Peace,
Ceeboo