Difference between revisions of "Paul H. Dunn"

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Paul H. Dunn was a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was sustained to the First Council of the Seventy in April 1964. He served as president of the New England Mission from 1968 to 1971. In October 1976, he was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy and served in the Presidency of the Seventy from 1976 to 1980. He received emeritus status in October 1989.

Dunn was born on April 24, 1924, in Provo, Utah, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Chapman College in 1953. He subsequently received master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration at the University of Southern California. He began his association with the Church Educational System in 1952 as a seminary teacher in Los Angeles. He served for several years as a Church institute coordinator in Southern California.

He was considered a favorite and dynamic speaker as well as a prolific author throughout his Church service during the 1970s and 1980s. Listeners and readers were riveted by his professional baseball and World War II stories. Later the truth of his stories was called into question and he admitted, “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." He said his technique is to "combine" elements of several true stories to create a single story that will better convey a message and capture an audience's interest.[1]

Dunn's open letter to the members of the Church was published in the Church News in October 1991.

Elder Paul H. Dunn has requested of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve the opportunity to send an open letter to the members of the Church. His letter follows:

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 brethern 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 brethern 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[2]

The specifics of his “heavy penalty” are not publicly known.

Dunn married Jeanne Alice Cheverton on February 27, 1946, and they became the parents of three daughters. He was named Utah’s Father of the Year in 1972.

He passed away on January 9, 1998, of cardiac arrest while recovering from back surgery.