The Library Hom Page

front cover "This thoroughly documented foray into some of the tensions which have bedeviled the history of BYU provides a balance to previous accounts of the 'Lord’s University' and adds a much needed dimension to the history of education among the Mormons … The history of the struggle between secular values and religious values at the 'Y' is a microcosm of the issues faced by any group that wants to be in the world, but not of the world."
—Frederick S. Buchanan, Associate Professor of Educational Studies, University of Utah

"A remarkable piece of research that has produced an amazing battery of instructive and interesting facts." —Sterling M. McMurrin, former United States Commissioner of Education, author of The Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion

"The authors have provided many interesting details, making the book enjoyable and honest. I read this volume with a great deal of interest."

—Caroline Eyring Miner, class of 1929, co-author of Camilla: A Biography of Camilla Eyring Kimball

"Controversial in both content and method, this vast collection of new information about BYU’s past will nonetheless become a useful reference for those who seek to understand the nation’s largest church-related university. Its topical chapters describe difficulties that always arise when the innate curiosity of students and scholars encounters the instinctive orthodoxy of religious authorities. The resulting conflict is inevitable; if it ever ceases, the Mormon church and Brigham Young University will both suffer an irreparable loss." —L. Jackson Newell, Professor of Higher Education and dean of Liberal Education, University of Utah, and co-editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought

About the authors
Gary James Bergera graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and again in 1982 with a master’s degree in public administration. He is the author of several articles appearing in the Utah Historical Quarterly, Dialogue, and Sunstone magazine and received a Best Article award from the Mormon History Association in 1980. Ronald Priddis graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in food manufacturing. He is one of the founders of the now extinct Seventh East Press.


title page

Brigham Young University
A House of Faith

Gary James Bergera and Ronald Priddis

Signature Books


copyright page

Copyright 1985 by Signature Books
Salt Lake City, Utah
All Rights Reserved

ISBN 0-941214-34-6

Printed in the United States of America

book design by Diane Valantine
cover illustration by Diane Valantine

photographs courtesy of Brigham Young University Archives and BYU Public Communications


dedication page

To George and Camilla



|Joseph Smith | Book of Mormon | Mormon Temples | Mormon Polygamy | contact us |

Copyright © Signature Books, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this text or graphics may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from Signature Books, LLC