Paul Harold Dunn (April 24, 1924 – January 9, 1998) was a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Dunn was widely considered one of the most dynamic speakers among the general authorities in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1991, Dunn stated that he had "not always been accurate" in his speeches and writings[1] after it was reported that he "made up many of the stories about baseball and battle he told as personal experiences".[2]
In 1976, Dunn became a member of the newly constituted First Quorum of the Seventy. Dunn was a member of this quorum until he was designated an emeritus general authority on October 1, 1989. Additionally, Dunn served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy from 1976 to 1980. Dunn wrote over 50 books during his time as a general authority.
Dunn married Jeanne Alice Cheverton on February 27, 1946, and they were the parents of three daughters. Dunn was named Utah's Father of the Year in 1972. He died of cardiac arrest in Salt Lake City while recovering from back surgery in 1998.
Scandals
AFCO Enterprises, Inc fraud involvement
Dunn was a director of AFCO Enterprises, Inc., a property development company in the 1970s and early 1980s.[3] In 1982 the company went bankrupt and in September 1983 the principal owner, Grant C. Affleck, was arrested for defrauding investors out of between $20–$50 million.[4] Dunn's image was a prominent part of the promotional material provided to potential investors. Dunn said that he resigned from the company in 1978 because AFCO was exploiting his connection to the LDS Church.[3] However, AFCO continued to provide Dunn with a new car every year until 1982, and Dunn continued to regularly attend AFCO board meetings until the company went bankrupt.[5] In a sworn deposition Dunn stated his only role had been to deliver prayers and inspirational messages; however, evidence at Affleck's trial showed that Dunn had backdated his resignation from the company, and had continued to seek new investors and called creditors on the company's behalf into the 1980s.[3][6]
Falsified experiences
During his time as a general authority, Dunn often included in his speeches and books extraordinary "real life" experiences that he claimed were from his past. In the late 1980s, a number of investigators, including Arizona Republic reporter Lynn Packer and church critics Jerald and Sandra Tanner, accused Dunn of fabricating or embellishing many of these events. Among Dunn's claims that came to be questioned were:
that Dunn was one of only six in his 1,000-man combat group who survived World War II, and was the only one of the six survivors who wasn't wounded;[8]
that Dunn was the sole survivor among 11 infantrymen in a 100-yard race against death, during which one burst of machine-gun fire ripped his right boot off, another tore off his ammunition and canteen belt and yet another split his helmet in half—all without wounding him.[8]
that Dunn's best friend died in his arms from serious injuries sustained in a battle on Okinawa.[9]
When confronted with evidence that several of his stories were either completely falsified or substantially embellished, Dunn admitted that the stories were not completely true, yet continued to defend his use of the stories: "I haven't purposely tried to embellish or rewrite history. I've tried to illustrate points that would create interest. [I was] simply putting history in little finer packages."[2][10] Dunn compared his stories to the parables of Jesus—although they were not true stories, they were nevertheless valuable means of teaching gospel principles.[2]
I have been accused of various activities unbecoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I confess that I have not always been accurate in my public talks and writings. Furthermore, I have indulged in other activities inconsistent with the high and sacred office which I have held.
For all of these I feel a deep sense of remorse, and ask forgiveness of any whom I may have offended.
My brethren of the General Authorities, over a long period of time, have conducted in-depth investigations of the charges made against me. They have weighed the evidence. They have censured me and placed a heavy penalty upon me.
I accept their censure and the imposed penalty, and pledge to conduct my life in such a way as to merit their confidence and full fellowship.
In making these acknowledgements, I plead for the understanding of my brethren and sisters throughout the Church and give assurance of my determination so to live as to bring added respect to the cause I deeply love, and honor to the Lord who is my Redeemer.
The exact nature of this "heavy penalty" imposed upon Dunn is unclear. It is clear that Dunn was not excommunicated from the church, though it is not known whether or not he was placed under some other form of church discipline, such as disfellowshipment or probation.
Notes
^ abPaul H. Dunn, "An open letter to members of the Church", Church News, October 26, 1991.
^ abcShupe, A. D. (1991). The darker side of virtue: Corruption, scandal, and the Mormon empire. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books. page 55-57
^"Authorities Arrest Suspect in Fraud" Salt Lake Tribune, September 4, 1983
^Victor F. Zanana, "Leaders of Mormonism Double as Overseers of a Financial Empire," Wall Street Journal, November 9, 1983
^United States of America vs. Grant C. Affleck, United States District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division, Salt Lake City, September 26, 1983, Reporter's Transcript, vol. 17, p. 3180 and final volume pp. 16, 18
^Paul H. Dunn, You and Your World, 128; Paul H. Dunn (1973), Discovering the Quality of Success, Deseret Book: Salt Lake City, 38.
^ abPaul H. Dunn, "The Message: 'If Thou Art Willing'", New Era, August 1975, pp. 4–5.
^Jerald & Sandra Tanner, "Dunn in the Name of God!: Confessions by Emeritus General Authority of the Mormon Church Raises New Questions about the Origins of Mormonism", Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 78, June 1991.
"Elder Paul H. Dunn Passes Away", Ensign, March 1998, p. 74.
Jerald and Sandra Tanner, "Dunn in the Name of God!: Confessions by Emeritus General Authority of the Mormon Church Raises New Questions about the Origins of Mormonism", Salt Lake City Messenger, No. 78, June 1991.
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Paul Harold Dunn April 24 1924 January 9 1998 was a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints LDS Church Dunn was widely considered one of the most dynamic speakers among the general authorities in the 1970s and 1980s In 1991 Dunn stated that he had not always been accurate in his speeches and writings 1 after it was reported that he made up many of the stories about baseball and battle he told as personal experiences 2 Paul H DunnEmeritus General AuthoritySeptember 30 1989 1989 09 30 January 9 1998 1998 01 09 Called byEzra Taft BensonFirst Quorum of the SeventyOctober 1 1976 1976 10 01 September 30 1989 1989 09 30 Called bySpencer W KimballEnd reasonGranted general authority emeritus statusPresidency of the First Quorum of the SeventyOctober 1 1976 1976 10 01 February 22 1980 1980 02 22 Called bySpencer W KimballEnd reasonHonorably releasedFirst Council of the SeventyApril 6 1964 1964 04 06 October 1 1976 1976 10 01 Called byDavid O McKayEnd reasonPosition abolishedPersonal detailsBornPaul Harold Dunn 1924 04 24 April 24 1924Provo Utah United StatesDiedJanuary 9 1998 1998 01 09 aged 73 Salt Lake City Utah United StatesResting placeWasatch Lawn Memorial Park40 41 52 N 111 50 30 W 40 6978 N 111 8417 W 40 6978 111 8417 Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park Contents 1 Biography 2 Scandals 2 1 AFCO Enterprises Inc fraud involvement 2 2 Falsified experiences 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBiography EditBorn in Provo Utah to Joshua Harold Dunn and Geneve Roberts Dunn was baptized a member of the LDS Church at the age of eight Dunn earned a bachelor s degree from Chapman College in 1953 and master s and doctorate degrees in educational administration from the University of Southern California In 1952 Dunn began his professional career as a seminary teacher for the Church Educational System in Los Angeles On April 6 1964 LDS Church president David O McKay called Dunn as a general authority and member of the First Council of the Seventy While in this position Dunn was the president of the church s New England Mission from 1968 to 1971 In 1976 Dunn became a member of the newly constituted First Quorum of the Seventy Dunn was a member of this quorum until he was designated an emeritus general authority on October 1 1989 Additionally Dunn served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy from 1976 to 1980 Dunn wrote over 50 books during his time as a general authority Dunn married Jeanne Alice Cheverton on February 27 1946 and they were the parents of three daughters Dunn was named Utah s Father of the Year in 1972 He died of cardiac arrest in Salt Lake City while recovering from back surgery in 1998 Scandals EditAFCO Enterprises Inc fraud involvement Edit Dunn was a director of AFCO Enterprises Inc a property development company in the 1970s and early 1980s 3 In 1982 the company went bankrupt and in September 1983 the principal owner Grant C Affleck was arrested for defrauding investors out of between 20 50 million 4 Dunn s image was a prominent part of the promotional material provided to potential investors Dunn said that he resigned from the company in 1978 because AFCO was exploiting his connection to the LDS Church 3 However AFCO continued to provide Dunn with a new car every year until 1982 and Dunn continued to regularly attend AFCO board meetings until the company went bankrupt 5 In a sworn deposition Dunn stated his only role had been to deliver prayers and inspirational messages however evidence at Affleck s trial showed that Dunn had backdated his resignation from the company and had continued to seek new investors and called creditors on the company s behalf into the 1980s 3 6 Falsified experiences Edit During his time as a general authority Dunn often included in his speeches and books extraordinary real life experiences that he claimed were from his past In the late 1980s a number of investigators including Arizona Republic reporter Lynn Packer and church critics Jerald and Sandra Tanner accused Dunn of fabricating or embellishing many of these events Among Dunn s claims that came to be questioned were that Dunn had played major league baseball with the St Louis Cardinals 7 that Dunn was one of only six in his 1 000 man combat group who survived World War II and was the only one of the six survivors who wasn t wounded 8 that Dunn was the sole survivor among 11 infantrymen in a 100 yard race against death during which one burst of machine gun fire ripped his right boot off another tore off his ammunition and canteen belt and yet another split his helmet in half all without wounding him 8 that Dunn s best friend died in his arms from serious injuries sustained in a battle on Okinawa 9 When confronted with evidence that several of his stories were either completely falsified or substantially embellished Dunn admitted that the stories were not completely true yet continued to defend his use of the stories I haven t purposely tried to embellish or rewrite history I ve tried to illustrate points that would create interest I was simply putting history in little finer packages 2 10 Dunn compared his stories to the parables of Jesus although they were not true stories they were nevertheless valuable means of teaching gospel principles 2 In 1991 Dunn asked the church s First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for permission to issue an open letter to all Latter day Saints The church agreed and on October 26 the following letter was published in the Church News a supplement section of the Deseret News a newspaper owned by the LDS Church October 23 1991 I have been accused of various activities unbecoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints I confess that I have not always been accurate in my public talks and writings Furthermore I have indulged in other activities inconsistent with the high and sacred office which I have held For all of these I feel a deep sense of remorse and ask forgiveness of any whom I may have offended My brethren of the General Authorities over a long period of time have conducted in depth investigations of the charges made against me They have weighed the evidence They have censured me and placed a heavy penalty upon me I accept their censure and the imposed penalty and pledge to conduct my life in such a way as to merit their confidence and full fellowship In making these acknowledgements I plead for the understanding of my brethren and sisters throughout the Church and give assurance of my determination so to live as to bring added respect to the cause I deeply love and honor to the Lord who is my Redeemer Sincerely Paul H Dunn 1 The exact nature of this heavy penalty imposed upon Dunn is unclear It is clear that Dunn was not excommunicated from the church though it is not known whether or not he was placed under some other form of church discipline such as disfellowshipment or probation Notes Edit a b Paul H Dunn An open letter to members of the Church Church News October 26 1991 a b c Associated Press Arizona Paper Alleges Many Stories Were Exaggerated Deseret News February 16 1991 a b c Shupe A D 1991 The darker side of virtue Corruption scandal and the Mormon empire Buffalo NY Prometheus Books page 55 57 Authorities Arrest Suspect in Fraud Salt Lake Tribune September 4 1983 Victor F Zanana Leaders of Mormonism Double as Overseers of a Financial Empire Wall Street Journal November 9 1983 United States of America vs Grant C Affleck United States District Court for the District of Utah Central Division Salt Lake City September 26 1983 Reporter s Transcript vol 17 p 3180 and final volume pp 16 18 Paul H Dunn You and Your World 128 Paul H Dunn 1973 Discovering the Quality of Success Deseret Book Salt Lake City 38 a b Paul H Dunn The Message If Thou Art Willing New Era August 1975 pp 4 5 Jerald amp Sandra Tanner Dunn in the Name of God Confessions by Emeritus General Authority of the Mormon Church Raises New Questions about the Origins of Mormonism Salt Lake City Messenger no 78 June 1991 Salt Lake Tribune February 16 1991 p 2B References Edit Elder Paul H Dunn Passes Away Ensign March 1998 p 74 Jerald and Sandra Tanner Dunn in the Name of God Confessions by Emeritus General Authority of the Mormon Church Raises New Questions about the Origins of Mormonism Salt Lake City Messenger No 78 June 1991 Jerald and Sandra Tanner What Hast Thou Dunn Utah Lighthouse MinistryExternal links Edit Biography portalGrampa Bill s G A Pages Paul H Dunn Paul H Dunn at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Paul H Dunn amp oldid 1124720679, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
