Conference tecrus::mormonism

421.0. "Assault on Elder Hunter" by ECADSR::SHERMAN (Steve ECADSR::Sherman DTN 223-3326 MLO5-2/26a) Wed Feb 10 1993 13:37

            <<< GOLF::DISK$COMMON:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CHRISTIAN.NOTE;2 >>>
           -< ...by Believing, you might have Life more abundantly. >-
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Note 29.569                   Religion in the News                    569 of 569
MCCOVY::BALSAMO                                      38 lines  10-FEB-1993 13:50
              -< Man threatens leader-designate of Mormon Church >-
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From: [email protected] (UPI)
Subject: Man threatens leader-designate of Mormon Church
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 93 12:37:13 PST

	PROVO, Utah (UPI) -- A man claiming to have a bomb threatened the
leader-designate of the Mormon Church while he was making a televised
speech to 17,000 Brigham Young University students.
	The bodyguards of Howard W. Hunter and students tackled the man
Sunday while he stood on a stage at BYU, holding a briefcase that he
claimed contained explosives.
	BYU police identified the man as Cody Robert Judy, 27, of
Bakersfield, Calif.. He was booked into Utah County Jail and is
scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Provo Circuit Court. Judy was not a
BYU student.
	Hunter, 85, is president of the Quorum of the Twelve and is next in
line to become head of the church on the death of prophet Ezra Taft
Benson. He was not injured in the incident.
	Hunter had begun speaking at the BYU Marriott Center at about 7:15 p.
m. when a ponytailed man approached the stage and ordered him to ``Stop
right there!''
	The man claimed his briefcase contained explosives and held up a
device that he said was a detonator. Police later found that the 
``detonator'' was only a toy telephone wrapped in tape and that the
briefcase did not contain any explosives.
	The man ordered Hunter to read a statement, but Hunter refused.
	As the gathering began singing the Mormon hymn ``We Thank Thee O God
For A Prophet,'' a student sprayed the assailant with Mace. Hunter's
personal bodyguards and students then tackled the man. He was not
injured.
	``He told police he had a vision eight months ago and was acting out
that vision....He said he was to be the prophet of the church,'' said
BYU spokesman Brent Harker.
	Hunter's speech was being broadcast by satellite to other Mormon
congregations when it was interrupted. The signal was then cut and
screens flashed a ``video difficulties'' message.
	After the assailant's arrest, Hunter continued his address, which had
for a subject ``Life has a fair number of challenges.''
	Before beginning, he complimented the crowd on its singing.

    My daughter, a student at BYU sent me the Daily Universe articles
    regarding the incident.  The student who initially tackled Judy
    reported that as others joined in to "subdue" him, they started
    punching him (Judy).  This student covered Judy's head to protect him
    from the "beating".  Makes you wonder who the bad guy was.
    
    On the positive side, she reported that the singing was a very moving
    experience - it just started spontaneously.  She said Pres. Hunter
    refused to give in to Judy's demands which included reading a statement
    releasing all general authorities and installing Judy as the Prophet. 
    He stood in the face of apparent danger and never flinched - even joked
    about it during his speech.  Pretty amazing for a man who can hardly
    walk to the pulpit unaided.
    
    This incident like so many others make me wonder if perhaps believe in
    "too much revelation".  Because of our liberal attitude in accepting
    revelation, it becomes so commonplace that we readily accept nearly
    anything.  THis has happened throughout the history of the church. 
    When Joseph Smith was assassinated, everybody (Sidney Rigdon, Lyman
    Wight, etc., etc.) had "revelations" that they should be the prophet.
    
    I'll end this since I'm digressing from the original... Look for a new
    topic on Revelation.
    
    Gary Olsen
    Atlanta CSC

    My son, Matt, was also at the event.  His report was pretty much the
    same as yours.  
    
    He has said he thinks that BYU Security has a "gestapo mentality"
    which manifests itself in extreme "snooping", intimidation and some
    questionable practices (unlawful seizure).  Matt was part of an
    Explorer POst that acted as junior cadets with the Northboro Police. 
    So he got to experience the inside workings of police activity and the
    respect for individual rights that must be observed.
    
    So when you mention the violent (punching) subduing of Hunter's
    assailant I am not surprised, given what my son has reported.
    
    Paul
     

    Please note that it was not BYU Security doing the punching, but other
    students who tackled him!
    
    ...Gary

    The "punching" *might* have been justified if folks had reason to
    believe that the guy could still detonate a bomb.  Heck, I wouldn't
    have second thoughts about punching a guy out if the situation
    warranted it (immediate danger, lives at stake).
    
    Steve