Comments on: An Open Letter to Latter-day Saint Detractors of W. Cleon Skousen and His Works

By: Bruce Darley

Bruce Darley — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:36:51 +0000

I feel priveliged to have met Dr. Skousen and heard him speak on several occaisions. I’ve read a number of his books and heard a number of his lectures. I have never been disapointed. To the contrary, I have always been impressed. I find it interesting that there should be criticism from a few fellow LDS “saints”. Having had some personal exposure to Dr. Skousen (he and his son in law stayed at our home while speaking at some Freeman Institute seminars on the founding fathers formula in our constitution) and reading much of his work and hearing a number of his speeches I don’t need to rely on the opinion of others to form an opinion about Dr Skousen. I know already for myself what kind of man he is. For me, these critsisms say much more about those who belittle than about thier target. If I didn’t have personal knowledge about Dr Skousen and his work then I might be influenced by these critics. I’m just thankfull to have had personal contact with him and to have personaly read much of his work so I could not be misled by the critics. Like Joseph Smith both good and bad has been spoken of him. And like Joseph Smith he made a difference in this world. I like the comments from Johnny U. above who said “If the ‘Hounds of H-ll’ are not barking at your works; you are not doing good – nor are you acting out the will of the Lord!”
Dr Skousen will stand with a clear conscience bofore God because he has fought the good fight. He won’t be accused of standing on the sidelines. I conclude with the remarks from Thadore Roosevelt when he said… “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Brother Skousen – I wish you well as you continue your good works on the other side of the veil. I look forward to meeting you again.

By: John Earl Carpenter

John Earl Carpenter — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:32:29 +0000

I write today from my apartment overlooking the Great Kremlin Palace in the Central District of Moscow, Russia. I am John Earl Carpenter.

Dr. Willard Cleon Skousen taught me of our founding fathers. I never learned about them in highschool or university courses where I attended.

I personally believe that George Washington was a Prophet Warrior like unto Moroni; that Captain Moroni who is told of in ancient American history as recorded by one of the “Keepers of the Record” (that book known as The Book of Mormon), named Alma.

Washington was a prayerfilled “Patriot and believer in “The Creator” to whom he once referred as “the Divine Author of our blessed religion!” That religion is often referred to in the Founders’ writings as “The Religion of America.” Had it not been for Dr. Skousen, I and tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands and hopefully millions of others would have never realized that.

I know that Dr. W. Cleon Skousen, a magnificient author himself, as of today, this 26th day of September, 2011, some 5 1/2 years since his death, is General and President George Washington’s true friend and a true friend of that “Divine Author” as well. He wrote of Christ. He taught of Christ. He lived as a true emmisary of Christ.

From 1964 until his death, I knew Dr. Skousen and his works. I have been in his home. I have tasted of his particular sense of hospitality; been chauffered miles by him; been tutored by him; taught, instructed, encouraged and inspired by his purpose and his works. I have been lifted and enlightened from The Freeman Institute to the National Center of Constitutional Studies. He has counciled me in moments of greatest concern. His council was and still remains pure. Dr. Skousen has forever and always reverted to this Divine Author, that Washington refers to in his prayer. Skousen loved the men who loved and followed God.

I came to know Dr. Skousen through those who called and call him Father and grandfather. I have seen his true character flood into his family. It is all good. I have worked side by side with several his sons and one particular son-in-law. If I were making a choice, only from what I know now, I would have loved to have called him my own Father as well. In deed, in fact I do. He treated me as if I were his own son since that day in 1964 when a business associate, Dr. Skousen’s eldest son, Rick, took me to the family home in Salt Lake City to introduce me to his Father. If by thier fruits ye shall know them, the Skousen fruit is a legacy to our nation and the entire earth.

Dr. Skousen doesn’t need to be defended. To know him and his works is to love truth. It’s that simple.

I find satisfacton in a saying of which I have no idea who originated. It goes like this.
Beware the guys who criticize and mimimize the enterprize of other guys who try to rise above the guys who criticize and minimize. As for Dr. Skousen, he never tried to rise above any, but he knew plenty of those who continually did.

Am I a disciple of W. Cleon Skousen? I am. Or at least I have hoped to be worthy of such an accusation. Likewise I am a disciple of the Father of our Country. Today, I declare myself as a disciple of Christ.

How could I ever place Skousen on the same plane with Washington? Easily. Very easily. As George Washington, I believe, was a Prophet with “Not Yet the True Priesthood of God when he walked the earth”, Dr. W. Cleon Skousen was a man of the Priesthood who walked among Prophets and did all he did believing he was doing their bidding. As others have already said, “He never deviated from that calling.” His writings are legend. I have been increased by every book he authored. I revere him. I love him for all he “STANDS FOR!” He taught that the Constitution is for all flesh and for all mankind. Heaven help us make it available to all.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:48:15 +0000

“Paul, your comments were great. One cannot be a LDS member and support Obama and the current ignoramuses in the legislative branch. A latter day saint, if supportive of the policies of Obama, needs to repent and better understand the principles of the gospel.”

A willfully ignorant, Amero-centric opinion. If that is the case, then every LDS member living and thriving under a moderately socialist government (even Canada) has cause to repent.

By: Michael L. McKee

Michael L. McKee — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:36:53 +0000

I have read far too many disparaging and contextually inaccurate comments about this worthy servant of our Lord Jesus Christ who was known as W. Cleon Skousen. I am always reminded of a comment made by Elder Lee to a student who had made a remark concerning Elder J. Reuben Clark which goes something like….”Yes, I suppose it would be difficult for a pygmy to get the viewpoint of a giant. When I go to hear World Authority…I go to learn and not to criticize.” W. Cleon Skousen was a towering giant intellectually compared to those who profess to be the enlightened of the world. Fortunately for these folks his legacy will bless their lives in spite of their spiritual ignorance.

By: Shane Luck

Shane Luck — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:10:28 +0000

I only wanted to say that I got to know Cleon a year or two before he passed. I had read many of his books and listened to his tapes, but I was introduced to him personally by a dear friend and we went to his home to visit a few times and talk. He was such a gentle and kind person. He always had a smile. We were welcome in his home. The missionaries came by while we were there just to talk. I had a chance to ask Cleon many questions that I had always wanted to ask and he answered them for me. I feel that Cleon gave so much more than most will ever understand or know. What a wonderful man. He changed my life in so many good ways. Bless all who knew him and carry on with his life dream.

By: Luke Franklin

Luke Franklin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:47:02 +0000

Some wonderful comments here. As Pres. Monson said: Everyone he spoke to, everyone he taught, is closer to Christ than before they met Cleon Skousen.”. This is true. My life has been blessed and enhanced by Cleon Skousen. I love the recorded conversation that he had with friends in his home in 2005 where he covered all of the gems that he had taught over the years before: the Atonement, the Book of Mormon, Intelligences and Element, the Cleansing of the Church, Secret Combinations and the International Banking cabal etc. He was a gift to the church and the world.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:08:23 +0000

I was greatly blessed to have met with Cleon Skousen a few times and to probe the well of his vast knowledge. I continue to benefit from his books and talk tapes. He like President Ezra Taft Benson were lightning rods for opposition because of there stances and not backing down. Truth will always prevail.

By: Ernie

Ernie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:07:36 +0000

I was previleged to attend Cleon Skousen’s seminars and meet the man in person; I say he was a Saint. There is no question in my mind that Bro Skousen and I worship the same God; the God of Abraham, Moses, and yes, the same God that Joseph Smith and all of the latter day prophets worship. It is my opinion and belief that it takes more than just membership in the Church of Jesus Christ to qualify one as a Saint. I am indeed grateful to Cleon Skousen for all of the work that he did in our behalf, God bless him.

By: Spencer W. Morgan

Spencer W. Morgan — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:26:11 +0000

Unfortunately a false religion has replaced true worship in the hearts of most American members of the Church. It is the doctrine of conventionalism at all costs, and thus the true doctrines of the Church, and those who would draw all of the implications thereof have to take a back seat to it.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:45:02 +0000

“You who are young will see many things that will try your courage and test your faith. All of the mocking does not come from outside of the Church. Let me say that again: All of the mocking does not come from outside of the Church. Be careful that you do not fall into the category of mocking.”

BOYD K. PACKER, Lehi’s Dream and You, January 16, 2007