Stretching the Heavens (2021)

UNC Press

Gene England (1933–2001)—one of the most influential and controversial intellectuals in modern Mormonism—lived in the crossfire between religious tradition and intellectual reform. England gained renown among progressive scholars and resentment among church leadership for decrying Vietnam, criticizing the Priesthood ban, lamenting institutional sexism, and publishing the first major independent LDS journal. Though well-intentioned and unfailingly kind, even to enemies, England could be stubborn, self-righteous, and blind to the realities of organizational politics, which ultimately led to his pressured resignation from BYU in 1999.