Comments on: Revisiting President Packer on “Scientific Neglect” and Meetings

By: Raymond Takashi Swenson

Raymond Takashi Swenson — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 06:34:40 +0000

Boyd K. Packer was a military pilot who was stationed in Japan during the initial period of the US Occupation. He did not get rotated home for diuscharge as soon as hethought he should be, but it meant that he was still there when Tatsui Sato and his wife were ready to be the first Japanese to.be baptized Into the LDS Church since the mission in Japan closed in 1924. Brother Packer baptized Sister Sato,and began an association that continued until he spoke at Brother Sato’s funeral in Salt Lake fifty years later. Brother Sato had updated the translation of the Book of Mormon, and completed translations of the D&C, Pearl of Great Price, standard texts like Jesus the Christ by Talmage, and the temple ordinances. I think the Japanese members in Japan and Salt Lake knew Elder Packer a little better than average because of that.

By: Terry H

Terry H — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:10:02 +0000

One thing I remember was his focusing on the Rule first and then the exception. This story shows there were exceptions and that he recognized them. That being said, the public persona and comments in the bloggernacle certainly would back up your feeling. You know, I had that experience when I was much younger with Brigham Young. Then I read Arrington’s American Moses and I gained an entire new appreciation for him. Perhaps someday someone will do that for President Packer.

By: crr

crr — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:43:54 +0000

I really appreciate this story. Thanks.

Kinda reminds me of when he said that “If we are not very careful, we will think we are giving comfort to those few who are justified and actually we will be giving license to the many who are not.” I guess – and I’m mind-reading here – he felt that private counsel could be different than public counsel. I only ever saw his public persona, and so I got the feeling he was a bit of a hard-nosed guy. Maybe that was not the full picture.

By: BenjaminS

BenjaminS — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 05:24:02 +0000

President Packer was one of the most unfairly maligned general authorities in recent memory. Thanks for sharing this story. It fits with my understanding that he was the driving force behind changes in the handbook allowing less than fully worthy fathers to bless and baptize their children. He definitely was more compassionate than he gets credit for though he undoubtedly said some things over the years that he probably wished he never said.RIP

By: ji

ji — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 03:50:37 +0000

He was a wonderful teacher and a great man — and a committed and compassionate Christian. The Church is better because of him.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 02:38:33 +0000

Thanks for the story, Ben — that’s a compassionate and understanding side of Elder Packer that was not always evident in his public discourses. His Spiritual Crocodiles talk in Conference back in 1976 might have the longest life of any such talk. Nothing like a good story and metaphor.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/04/spiritual-crocodiles?lang=eng