GEORGE
P. LEE 1943-2010
by Timothy Rollins, Editor and Columnist
August 3, 2010
EDITOR'S
NOTE: With this column, Tim returns to TAP following a leave of absence
to assist in a congressional campaign. The primary campaign turned out to be
one of the most rewarding experiences of Tim's life, as he met many people,
some of whom were getting involved in politics for the first time.
George P. Lee died July 28th at age 67. To some, that's just another passing; but Lee's death ended a life that started out with limitless promise, and ended in disgrace, ignominy and ruin. While there will undoubtedly be some 'uptighty-whiteys' along Utah's Wasatch Front and elsewhere whose narrow-minded unwillingness to forgive the bad choices of others would do even Heinrich Himmler proud, the important lesson we learn from Elder Lee's passing is that his judgment will come at the Judgment Bar of Christ and from no other person.
Some of those folks would do well to take a long, hard look in the mirror. More importantly, George P. Lee can and must be judged solely on the totality of his life and by no other factor, despite the wishes of some seeking to inflict one last lick as Lee heads into his grave. If anything, there should be an increase in love, compassion and appreciation for his wife Katherine, their five sons and two daughters.
The story of George P. Lee's life was one of marvel, amazement, inspiration and profound disappointment, in which Lee had been provided every opportunity to better himself. Born in 1943 on a Colorado Navajo Reservation, Lee attended schools in New Mexico and Utah, graduating from Orem High School in 1962. After an LDS Church mission to the Southwest Indian Mission, he received bachelor's and doctorate degrees from BYU, as well as a master's degree in educational administration from Utah State University. Lee became the first American Indian to earn a doctorate from BYU.
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In
1975, Lee (right), then 32 and president of the Arizona Holbrook Mission, was
called by then-Church President Spencer W. Kimball to the First Quorum of the
Seventy, thus making him the Church's first Native American General Authority,
and one of the youngest in the 20th Century. Lee would serve as a General Authority
for nearly 14 years before his 1989 excommunication. It's important to remember
that just as Lee's spiritual growth and rise to service through various callings
within the Church - each coming with greater responsibilities - there came with
it the possibility that evil influences could lead a person to slip and fall
spiritually; and true to form, the higher men rise, the harder they fall.
.jpg)
Like
King David of Old, Lee's fall from grace (left) within the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints was gradual. Like other public figures from the political,
public or religious arenas, among others, the bad choices occur one at a time
and over time, they begin to accumulate until such time that it all breaks loose.
George P. Lee had lost the spirit of his calling, and his bad choices, be they
ever so gradual at first, accumulated until he was called to account for his
actions, culminating in his excommunication. Nor was Lee alone in his predicament,
namely that of losing it all. People like outgoing Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC)
lost his wife and sons because of an affair with his Argentine mistress, an
affair that caused him to break protocols and secretly leave the state to engage
in his personal affairs of the heart.
At one time Sanford had been considered a potentially serious contender for either the vice presidency or even the presidency outright; now, his career is ruined. In life, some bells can be rung many times, and people can be forgiving; in politics, some bells can be rung only once. Sanford became his own town crier with each press conference as he progressively stuck his foot further and further in his mouth - all the way to the ankles I might add - as he spoke longingly of his 'soul mate'. With his wife/campaign manager having kicked him to the curb, I hear there might be an opening for a dog catcher in Buenos Aires.
So as George P. Lee is laid to rest, I take comfort in knowing that this brilliant, troubled man is now at rest from the personal demons that brought about the events that caused his life to end the way it did. My thoughts and prayers go out not only to his wife Katherine, to whom he was married for nearly 30 years, but also to their five sons, two daughters, and those others who knew this deeply troubled man and loved him nonetheless. Perhaps they knew better than most what the Savior meant when he said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." (John 15:12, KJV)
Rest in Peace. ***
© 2010 Timothy Rollins
A veteran freelance writer, Timothy Rollins
brings a wealth of political and military experience dating back more than three
decades. He is a freelance writer and policy analyst living in Oklahoma who
has been featured both on television and radio. He has appeared both in online
publications as well as in print newspapers in the United States such as the
Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY, the
Deseret News in Salt Lake City, and
also in Canada, where he has appeared in The
Toronto SUN and the Daily Herald in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His television
appearances include The Michael Coren
Show in Canada and KWTV 9 NEWS in Oklahoma
City. The views expressed here by Mr. Rollins are his own and do not represent
the official views of any organization or entity with which he may otherwise
be affiliated. As such, Mr. Rollins alone takes full responsibility for them.
He can be reached by e-mail at rollins@american-partisan.com.
***
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© 2010 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN
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