BYU’s Most Controversial President - Ernest Wilkinson w/ Gary Bergera | Ep. 2147

In this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Ernest L. Wilkinson, president of Brigham Young University from 1952 to 1971. Known for rapidly expanding BYU into a major religious university, Wilkinson was also a deeply polarizing figure whose leadership raised serious questions about race, politics, academic freedom, and loyalty within the Church.

Joined by historian and longtime Signature Books publisher Gary Bergera, we explore Wilkinson’s diary collection and what it reveals about his ambitions, fears, and decisions.

From alleged “spy ring”activity among faculty, to clashes with Apostle Boyd K. Packer, to his views on black students, LGBTQ+ students, and the role of capitalism in the gospel, this conversation uncovers a complex portrait of a man who helped shape modern BYU –while leaving behind a legacy still debated today.

Gary Bergera has spent decades shaping Mormon historical scholarship and was a key figure in Signature Books. His work has helped bring forward documents and perspectives that continue to challenge and inform conversations today.

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Show Notes

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