Sterling M. McMurrin

Sterling Moss McMurrin (January 12, 1914 – April 6, 1996) was an American liberal Mormon theologian and Philosophy professor at the University of Utah. He served as United States Commissioner of Education in the administration of President John F. Kennedy. Born in Woods Cross, Utah, McMurrin's family moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1920s. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and later earned his A.B. in history and M.A. in philosophy from the University of Utah. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Southern California in 1946 and did postdoctoral studies at Columbia University, Princeton University, and Union Theological Seminary. McMurrin worked for the LDS Church Educational System as a seminary teacher, a teacher at Arizona State University, and an Institute of Religion director at the University of Arizona. He argued that the LDS Church concealed parts of its history and was declining in intellectual freedom, believing an honest study of religion would erode faith. Despite his lack of faith and criticism from orthodox members, he remained devoted to Mormonism. He held positions in universities, corporations, foundations, and governmental agencies.