The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-12

Prof. Joseph Peterson Of the faculty
of the Brigham Young university at
Provo has rendered his resignation to
the presidency of the school, asking
that it take effect at the end of the
present school year. 1t is persistently
rumored, but not definitely confirmed.
that the designations of Prof. Henry
Peterson and DR.. r. V. Chamberlain
will be presented to the school presi
dency within the next three days and
that the same request will be made.
All this grows out Of a decision
reached by the board of trustees of the
B. Y. y. at meeting held in Salt
Lake City on the twentieth day of last
month when, by unanimous vote of
those present, it was decided that no
teacher in the university should be al
lowed to promulgate doctrines not in
harmony with the revealed doctrines of
the Mormon religion.
And this meeting was held to pass
upon 4 report that had been made by
Prof. II. II. Cummings, superintendent
of church schools, to the effect that he
had found, upon careful investigation,
that the teachings of the Professors
Peterson and Dr.. Chamberlain were not
in accord with the Mormon doctrines.
Members of the presidency Of the
school, Prof. G. II. Brimhall, the presi-
dent, and Professors Hinckley and
keeler, when interviewed III Provo last
night, all stated that no official action
had been taken in the matter, although
not denying that the cases of the three
educators had been informally dis
cussed. Prof Hinclsley admitted that
the resignation of Prof, Joseph Peter
son had been prepared and presented,
but refused TO say whether or not it
would be accepted,
Many Are Evolutionists.
Incidental TO this complicated situa-
{! tion in the B. Y. L., which among the
church schools of the state is rivaled
only by the l.. D. S. university of this
city, it is stated upon good authority
that large majority of the faculty
Of the B, Y. U, are in sympathy with
the views held and expressed by Profs,
! Peterson and DR. Chamberlain. One
well informed citizen of Provo said last
night: Four-fifths Of the faculty are
! himself, one of the presidency of the
school, declared: 81 am an evolution
ist. first. last and all the time
This is particularly significant in
view of the publicly expressed views
of the general board Of education of
the church that the doctrine of evolu.
tion was not IN harmony with the
teachings of the scriptures and the
Book of Mormon.
That there will be shakeup in the
faculty which may result in the volun-
tary or enforced resignation Of other
members Of the teaching corps is an
opinion freely expressed.
Calls Editorial Misleading.
Prof Joseph Peterson, when seen in
Provo last night. after admitting that
| he had rendered his resignation, said
| the editorial which appeared i'll the Sat
urdav issue of the DeSeret News, en-
titled ''On Evolution,'' was entirely
misleading and was inclined, whether
purposcly or ignorantly. to keep the
people in the dark regarding the known
facts of science. Hc merely added that
the question Of what was or was not III
harmony with Mormon doctrine had
been left dragging along without reach.
ing any definite conclusion.
Prof, j. E. keeler. when questioned
hcsitated TO discuss the question in any
phase. When asked point blank if the
school presidency had taken any action
said: 81 think not: there is nothing
new and would say no more.
School Presidency Sole Judge,
1t will lie remembered that at the
time of the meeting of the board OF
trustees of the b, Y. u, held in Salt
Lake City February 30, the authority
To determine what teachings were OF
were not orthodox was conferred on the
Brimhall, keelcr and llnckley, There
was evident disposition on the part
Continued on Page Three.