Stretching the Heavens

The Life of Eugene England and the Crisis of Modern Mormonism

By: Terryl L. Givens

Narrated by: Fiona Givens

Eugene England (1933–2001) — one of the most influential and controversial intellectuals in modern Mormonism — lived in the crossfire between religious tradition and reform. This first serious biography, by leading historian Terryl L. Givens, shimmers with the personal tensions felt deeply by England during the turmoil of the late 20th century. Drawing on unprecedented access to England's personal papers, Givens paints a multifaceted portrait of a devout Latter-day Saint whose precarious position on the edge of church hierarchy was instrumental to his ability to shape the study of modern Mormonism.

A professor of literature at Brigham Young University, England also taught in the Church Educational System. And yet from the '60s on, he set church leaders' teeth on edge as he protested the Vietnam War, decried institutional racism and sexism, and supported Poland's Solidarity movement — all at a time when Latter-day Saints were ultra-patriotic and banned Black ordination. England could also be intemperate, proud of his own rectitude, and neglectful of political realities and relationships, and he was eventually forced from his academic position. His last days, as he suffered from brain cancer, were marked by a spiritual agony that church leaders were unable to help him resolve.

©2021 Terryl L. Givens (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

Excellent!

Wonderful account of a good man's complicated decision-making as he actively engaged the principles most fundamental to his existence.

Great inspiration

I am inspired as when I first heard the words “an unreasoned life is not worth living”. In examining the life of Eugene England, I am encouraged to examine my own. Even in death, he seems to be teaching by example.

NOT QUITE AS RIVETING AS I HOPED

I'm a fan of the Givens writings and have heard a lot about Eugene England while still not knowing a whole lot about him. The story of his life was not quite the page turner I had hoped it would be, but I am glad I read it. I thought Givens did a fantastic job at telling the story of conflicts and controversy without being preachy or pushy one way or the other. Great job at giving both sides and letting us decide our own thoughts.

Inspiring and thought provoking

Made me consider flat spots in my own faith and development. Grateful for the push to question and explore the gospel in our process of learning and growing. Never heard of Eugene England before but I admire him.

This read introduced me to Levi Peterson- the Backslider was different than anything from deseret book but brought interesting aspects of personal growth into focus.

Eugene England's legacy is so relevant to today

Eugene England was ahead of his time! What he wrestled with is what the LDS church is grappling with today.

Thought provoking.we’ll written. Challenging

I so enjoyed this reading. It made me re-evaluate my life. It restored my faith as a Latter-day Saint. It inspired me to keep going. It gave me opportunity to repent and practice forgiveness. I love to read about the journey of very intelligent brothers and sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in all religious faiths. Thank you for this wonderful book. It was a joy to listen to Fiona read.🥰

Not for the faint of heart - but excellent!

I found myself frustrated in the beginning and middle of the book with Eugene England and his seeming inability to see or his dishonesty toward council and criticism. Reading the entire book left me feeling that he was sincere and faith promoting in his desires and approaches. I feel a kinship with his love for and testimony of the Book of Mormon and God’s prophets, seers, and revelators, and his frustration toward the inadequacies of authoritarian administrative policies and cultural fractions within the church. Not knowing much about Eugene England beforehand I felt that Givens did a remarkable job with the biography.

Inspiring

The world is a better place because of Gene. I know that now. And I’m grateful for this rich and insightful look at his life.

faithful intellectual honesty

I loved this book. Although part of me wishes I had listened to this book when it was first produced, listening to it at this time was a good time for me. All I knew about Eugene England was that he was a very smart faculty member at BYU and not much more. Many of the issues
discussed in this book I began grappling with more than 50 years ago. I had some good mentors that helped me to find many LDS historical works that are now referred to as the "new Mormon history." My father was a biologist with
an international reputation and a believing Latter-day Saint at the same time. He helped me work through issues of science and religion. I seem to have always have had a lot of questions. Terryl Givens book on Eugene England and his thinking have provided me with insight on topics that have been on my mind of late. This book has helped me to look at
recent concerns I have had more thoughtfully.
I am grateful for that so thank you for this wonderful book.

Needy England

Full disclosure: I am a member of England's church. I must admit that from the beginning of the book, I could not understand England's constant, overwhelming, and vexing need for approval of his work from the most senior leaders of the Church as well as from those he is reported to have served. I kept thinking of counsel the first presidency has provided members over decades to take their concerns of doctrine to local leaders such as the stake president. The intense anxiety he faced toward the end of his life seemed to possibly be the introspective realization all of us feel thru, "the enticing of the Spirit" (Mosiah 3:19)