Mormon Utopia: Integrity Required

After further pondering about the quote from Peter Drucker, considered the father of modern management philosophy, that “the Mormons are the only Utopia that ever worked,” I listened to a talk about Church leader Nathan Elder Tanner, considered throughout his life to be “Mr. Integrity.” Certainly the quality of complete integrity is essential to any success that the Church can achieve as it increasingly becomes a bright light of an example of Christian living in our world. (Mark Cannon, “How the World Evaluates Mormonism,” Part 8, January 24, 2013)

President N. Eldon Tanner was counselor to four Presidents of the Church, from President McKay to President Kimball. He was a teacher, a legislator and cabinet minister in the province of Alberta, Canada and the builder of the TransCanadian pipeline. “He became nationally known in Canadian business and financial circles for the service he rendered to Canada. He became internationally known for his personal integrity and management skills.” The BYU Marriott School of Management is housed in the N. Eldon Tanner building.

In a talk at BYU in 1977, Elder Marvin J. Ashton said of him: “President N. Eldon Tanner is known by his associates in and out of the Church as Mr. Integrity, a man of character, a man of quality, an advocate of self-discipline. Frequently in conference he has admonished, 'Be honest. Don't be a hypocrite. Be what you should be.' He is a man of few words and much performance. I have never heard him make a cheap or shabby remark. I have never seen him when he was not a gentleman, when he was not the personification of integrity.” (Marvin J. Ashton, “N. Eldon Tanner—An Example to Follow,” BYU Devotional, December 4, 1977)  [Use “Keyword” search for “N Eldon Tanner” and select correct talk] (See also Jeffrey R. Holland and Gordon B. Hinckley, “Dedication of the N. Elder Tanner Building,” April 5, 1983) 

One of President Tanner's favorite hymns was also a favorite of my father. It is entitled “Have I done any good in the world today?”

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped any one in need?

Have I cheered up the sad?

And made someone feel glad?

If not I have failed indeed.

In an era of blatant dishonesty, corruption, and era of “spin meisters” instead of truth tellers especially in government officials, and even an era of secret combinations seeking for power and gain through dishonest methods, what our world needs now is this unselfish attitude of leaders and followers with that great quality of integrity exemplified by Nathan Eldon Tanner.