Inside the Wilkinson Diaries: BYU’s Hidden History and Mormon Education

Brigham Young University has always been more than just a college—it’s been a testing ground for the priorities, fears, and ambitions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this in-depth exploration, historian Benjamin Park dives into Educating Zion: The Diaries of Ernest Wilkinson (1952–1971), revealing how BYU became the church’s central battleground over orthodoxy, education, and politics.

Through exclusive commentary and a compelling interview with editor Gary Bergera, this episode uncovers the political and cultural tensions that shaped BYU’s modern identity—from the 1966 faculty spy scandal to the shaping of the Honor Code and the ideological clashes still echoing on campus today. Whether you’re a Mormon history enthusiast or just curious about how religion and education collide, this is one story you can’t miss.

Newsletter link for giveaway: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331

Books:
American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16
Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw

New book on the Wilkinson diaries: https://amzn.to/3YyNlb8

Bergera’s previous co-authored book on BYU: https://amzn.to/4pG5hvF

Thomas Simpson’s book on Mormonism and higher education: https://amzn.to/4sDXQHV

Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:00 Why BYU Matters
02:00 Cycles of Controversy
03:00 The Wilkinson Diaries
04:00 BYU’s Early History
05:00 Academic Freedom Battles
06:00 Rise of Ernest Wilkinson
08:00 Politics and Power
09:00 The Spy Ring Scandal
11:00 Inside the Diaries
13:00 Church Leadership Conflicts
17:00 Why Wilkinson Wrote It All Down
19:00 Church Hierarchy in Action
22:00 Wilkinson vs. His Critics
25:00 Student Spying Fallout
30:00 Wilkinson’s Legacy
32:00 Honor Code Origins
35:00 Wilkinson’s Surprises
37:00 Final Reflections
38:52 Why This Still Matters

#MormonHistory #BYU #ErnestWilkinson #churchhistory

About This Channel:
Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past.

This channel participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Views expressed on this channel are those of the presenter and not his employer.