George Mitton, Mopologist Lieutenant, Dies at 97

[Doctor Scratch]

In case you have not heard the news: George Mitton, the longtime contributor to FARMS and Interpreter, has died. I offer my sincere condolences to his loved ones.

Mitton was largely a “behind-the-scenes” presence: a “foot soldier” who was necessary to carrying out the Mopologetic leadership’s plans. But he seldom ever found himself in the spotlight. Perhaps his main “moment of fame” came some 15 years ago or thereabouts, when Kevin Graham misidentified him as “Mitchell” (after he had shown up at a conference alongside a few other Mopologists in order to heckle a Church critic). DCP and Hamblin, in response to this, began to repeat, over and over again—on the old FAIR message board—“Heil Mitchell! Heil Mitchell!”, apparently in imitation of the Nazi salute. One wonders if Dr. Peterson will raise his arm in an imitative “Nazi salute” at Mitton’s actual funeral—provided that his busy, non-stop travel schedule permits him to attend, that is.

In the usual venues, Mitton is being praised for “contributing to the kingdom,” with his service to Interpreter being adduced as the key example—as if editing Interpreter book reviews “counts” as “service” to the Church of Jesus Christ.

I admit that, apart from his connection to Mopologetics, I did not know the man. Still, I find myself scratching my head over the Mopologetic summation of his life. I assume that he did more worthwhile things in his life beyond overseeing smear articles, but to read the Mopologists’ eulogies, you’d think this was the highlight of the man’s accomplishments. It’s as if he did not have a meaningful life outside of Mopologetics.

In any case, his passing marks a critical milestone in the history of Mopologetics.

[drumdude]

He was so important that no one from Interpreter has yet bothered to write anything on his funeral website:

https://www.nelsonmortuary.com/obituaries/george-mitton

I hope they soon correct this oversight.

[Kishkumen]

I am sorry to hear of Brother Mitton’s passing. It looks like he lived a full and rich life. May his family celebrate his memory in a satisfying way. Losing a family member is difficult, for sure.

I will mark the occasion by reading something Mitton wrote.

[Tom]

Two co-authored book reviews immediately come to mind:

Hamblin, William J., Daniel C. Peterson, and George L. Mitton. "Mormon in the Fiery Furnace: Or, Loftes Tryk Goes to Cambridge." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): 3-58.

Mitton, George L., and Rhett S. James. "A Response to D. Michael Quinn's Homosexual Distortion of Latter-day Saint History." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 1 (1998): 141-263.

He was introduced as an associate editor of the FARMS Review of Books here (see pp. xxiii-xxiv).

[Kishkumen]

Two co-authored book reviews immediately come to mind:

Hamblin, William J., Daniel C. Peterson, and George L. Mitton. "Mormon in the Fiery Furnace: Or, Loftes Tryk Goes to Cambridge." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): 3-58.

Mitton, George L., and Rhett S. James. "A Response to D. Michael Quinn's Homosexual Distortion of Latter-day Saint History." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 1 (1998): 141-263.

He was introduced as an associate editor of the FARMS Review of Books here (see pp. xxiii-xxiv).

Those are all good recommendations, Tom, but I was going to read his 2023 piece in Interpreter.

[Tom]

Two co-authored book reviews immediately come to mind:

Hamblin, William J., Daniel C. Peterson, and George L. Mitton. "Mormon in the Fiery Furnace: Or, Loftes Tryk Goes to Cambridge." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): 3-58.

Mitton, George L., and Rhett S. James. "A Response to D. Michael Quinn's Homosexual Distortion of Latter-day Saint History." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 1 (1998): 141-263.

He was introduced as an associate editor of the FARMS Review of Books here (see pp. xxiii-xxiv).

Those are all good recommendations, Tom, but I was going to read his 2023 piece in Interpreter.

I think that's the right choice.

[Don Bradley]

A good man.

I got to meet him a year ago.

He was insightful on the relationship of early Mormon scripture with the later Nauvoo temple endowment, and was very kind to me when we met.

I had hoped he would reach 100.

Don

[Don Bradley]

Ah, I forgot about his response to Quinn, which was problematic, and his response to Brooke, which used needless mockery.

Looking past the foibles in that long-past work, I found his recent demeanor dignified and kind and his recent work insightful.

See, most recently, "Joseph Smith at the Veil: Significant Ritual, Symbolism, and Temple Influence at Latter-day Saint Beginnings" https://journal.interpreterfoundation.o ... eginnings/ .

Don

[Dr. Shades]

. . . to read the Mopologists’ eulogies, you’d think this was the highlight of the man’s accomplishments. It’s as if he did not have a meaningful life outside of Mopologetics.

Will you please post a link/links to these eulogies?

[Doctor Scratch]

. . . to read the Mopologists’ eulogies, you’d think this was the highlight of the man’s accomplishments. It’s as if he did not have a meaningful life outside of Mopologetics.

Will you please post a link/links to these eulogies?

My apologies, Dr. Shades. Here is the link:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeters ... rvant.html