Deseret News | Reader comments: BYU star reinstated on team

Reader comments
BYU star reinstated on team

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cks1450 | 12:45 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

This made me sick, I am glad to hear that the rogue Bishop was reeled in. Distubring that it got this far really. If I am walton, first thing I do at the end of the semester is find a new ward.

Re: cks1450 | 1:36 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

You have no idea what happened, just like none of us really knew what happened to Walton in the first place. Who are you to judge this bishop? I signed the honor code I by doing so committed to obeying all of the requirements such as attending church EVERY Sunday.

Andrew | 1:43 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I'm sure theres more to the story that we don't know, and I'm glad, thats the way it should be. But some bishops need to realize that if kids are making mistakes getting them to transfer to another school may not fix the problem. In fact it would probably make it worse and the person bitter towards the church. BYU is not for perfect people, just like the church is not for perfect people. Lets allow room for repentance. I've known people that will just lie to get their endorsement because they think their small problems will get them kicked out of school. Is that what we want?

Comments continue below

ldsbyufan | 1:54 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

justice is served

Hmmmm | 2:10 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

It's nice you can judge the actions of a bishop without knowing anything, other than what was in the newspaper. Calling someone a "rogue bishop" is not only ridiculously harsh, but extremely disrespectful.

Metaphor Man | 2:19 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Glad to see even BYU's pencil has an eraser!

SJ Bobkins | 2:51 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I was open and hoping for more info in this story which should never have been written, especially with the disgusting tag line. There had to be something we don't know about the player or the bishop is an egomaniacally demon. Well, the player is back without restriction or probation, but the bishop....................
I'm very happy I have never met him. He may owe a lot of folks apologies, most of which, the young man who had his good name trashed on the front pages of both SLC daily newspapers.

Goober | 3:38 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

If a bishop wants respect, he must earn it.

No, we don't know all the details.

But what we do know does not look good for this bishop.

Fanatic members are prone to assume that, because he was "called of God" to be bishop, therefore, he must be infallible. And therefore, there must be something going on with Walton - he must have really been doing something bad...

Your superstitious beliefs lead you to erroneously give the bishop the benefit of the doubt rather than Walton. THAT is religious prejudice, and THAT is what caused this problem in the first place.

How many times do we have to be told: WAKE UP SAINTS! Get your heads out of the hymnals long enought to look around and see what reality is like!

Too late | 4:30 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

The D-News already put out this story for everyone to see. It was a tabloid article.

Lame | 4:39 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Another reason BYU is the lamest school in the Nation. It is the only school i wouldn't pay for my kids to attend, even though I am LDS. Why does a bishop need to determine if you are 'worthy' to attend biology, economics, etc. makes no sense. I'm sure plenty of kids do 'unworthy' things and still go every sunday, so why should someone be 'expelled' for not going or going to another ward with friends/family?

I wish the chuch would severe direct ties with BYU and let it be a private school not run by the quorumn of 70.

Not Mormon Here | 5:10 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

How ridiculous. Thank God this young man got fair treatment. LDS bishop should be ashamed of himself.

My Grandpa Used To Say... | 5:07 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

"It's a pretty thin pancake that doesn't have two sides." We will never know the Bishop's side of the story as it is not a matter of public record and should never come out in the media.

The "Rogue Bishop" comment shows incredible immaturity, or blatent disregard for the religion and the fact that it is a religious institution.

LDS students go to BYU at a discounted tuition compared to non LDS Students. If they violate the honor code they are in danger of losing that privilege to attend.

I am glad it is the Savior that ultimately judges us, and not "mere humans."

Dean of Ed. | 5:16 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I think eventually we'll find that the problem isn't with the bishop, but with Walton. Looks like his daddy saved him this time--next time it won't be so easy.

Mean-spiritedness | 5:28 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Few people will appreciate me saying this, but oh, well. The level of mean-spiritedness in the discussion of the initial story was very disturbing. (I'm also "Telegraph" there.) People ignored the fact they were hearing the bishop's and stake president's words FOURTH-HAND and fired away vicious diatribes against those eccelesiastical leaders, men they've never met and wouldn't know from Adam. Other people questioned this young man's character without knowing him, either. Sad.

I'm glad in this case that the leaders apparently did see reason and withdrew their hasty judgment. Hey, it happens. Church leaders, baseball players and their families, and BYU personnel are human beings. Human beings sometimes/often make mistakes. *Decent* human beings eventually recognize that fact and work out their problems like adults WITHOUT trying to assassinate each others' character. Other people ... um, well, let's just say they give "Rise and Shout!" a whole new meaning.

Walton's "natural" choice: Transfer to Oregon State, Arizona State, or another high-profile, top-flight baseball school. Instead, he worked it out. Congratulations to him and the others. Maybe all those snipers on the previous forum and their sympathizers can put aside their spite and bitterness and do the same?

Conejo | 5:37 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I don't hink you have to go to church EVERY SUNDAY to be eligible for BYU. There are legitimate reasons to not go to church. If your wife has a baby on a Sunday are you going to say "sorry honey, I need to leave and hear about how to be a better home teacher". Yeah right.

Good for him | 5:39 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Good for Mr. Walton. I wish him well and hope those who mishandled the situation learned from just how ridiculous they appeared in jeopardizing this young man's future.

Judge-Not | 5:38 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Happy to have Kent back in school! What ever happened is behind us now, and Kent can get on with his education and baseball playing again! Coach Law is an outstanding coach, and is a great example for his players.

CAC

Grateful for a fair process | 6:00 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

This is wonderful news. I'm sure this entire ordeal would have been better handled privately and had the same outcome. The Tribune and DNews should been more responsible in selecting a story to print. Some things are better off left private. There are many situations that occur like this at BYU. But this only made the papers because he was a celebrity student. In any case, I'm happy for this young man.

cal mormon | 5:55 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

i attended church exactly 2x as a freshman at BYU. 100% church attendance is not a requirement for acceptance or continued enrollment at BYU. and if a non-member does not attend church 100%??the honor code is just that -- not a covenant to attend church every sunday. the more BYU does this kind of stuff, the more difficult they make it for themselves to attract top LDS students and LDS student-athletes -- let alone good kids who are not LDS! i hope BYU remembers that there is a very large alumni network which doesn't appreciate this kind of publicity! BYU Admin -- you can control negative press by not making stupid decisions that are picked by the media and drag all of us down. please purge the admin team to get rid of the "tenured" hicks from utah co. and hire some professional admin -- some that have actually worked in the real world!

RE RE Cks 1450 | 6:11 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I go to church every week because I individually feel it is right for myself, and for my family. I know many who go just to please someone else. (aka some byu students that sign the honor code). So please don't give me that "oh I signed the honor code so I go every sunday". By saying that you are telling me that you as an individual dont want to be there.

ed smith | 6:34 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Just as I don't know the specifics of what got the endorsement removed and Kent Walton's elligibility revoked, I don't know the specifics of the Bisho's decision or even the action actually taken by him which resulted in this issue. I wonder how outraged those would be who have slammed this Bishop without information, if they were branded as he has been by them. It amazes me at how opinionated people here have been without evidence and information, and most of them from an institution of higher learning which supposedly values cognitive thought.

both sides of the story | 6:41 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I'm sure that both sides have learned (hopefully!) some valuable lessons. I know this Bishop (no -I am not a member of this ward), and I know enough to know that you (cks1450) don't know what you are talking about. This whole story reflects more upon all of us who are so quick to judge the situation, without access to most of the facts of this case. I have great respect for the many Bishops on campus who spend hundreds of hours of their own time to help young people at an important time in their lives. It is, I am sure, a thankless job -at times. We should, charitably, withhold judgment and give the benefit of the doubt. I am happy to see the student returning to school -I truly am happy. I also think we should not vilify this Bishop, or any Bishop, who makes a best effort to serve in this capacity.

JUSTICE | 6:43 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I don't know the full story, but I am extremely pleased by the outcome...sounds like a few people realized their mistakes and made good. Too bad this kid was pulled throught the mud in the process, but at the end of the day it all worked out. Perfect example of a just society!

Why don't we | 6:48 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

just let this story die. None of know what REALLY happened. Nor does it matter. Let the kid play and hope he does well for himself.

nottyou | 7:09 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Hey Lame, If your kids spell like you do, they'll never get into BYU anyway...nothing to worry about.

Hold on a minute | 7:25 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

People seem pretty quick to judge the bishop. All we know is what was said, and not what went on behind the doors of the bishop's office. He may have been guilty of much more than what was reported. BYU may have, once again, bailed an athlete out, or it may have been a mistake by the bishop. Therein is the rub. No one except the bishop, BYU, and Walton knows exactly why the bishop withheld his ecclesiastical endorsement of Walton and I don't think we've heard all three sides of it, similarly no one knows what Walton did, and no one knows what BYU did or didn't do to get him reinstated. Only thing we know is that he was out and now he was in. Whether a mistake was made before, or a mistake has been made to reinstate him is only food for thought for idiots who think they know it all and are want a forum for their opinion.

To Lame | 7:24 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

As a U grad with 4 out of 4 kids graduating from the Y, there isn't a school that I would rather have them go to. Too bad you don't know what you are talking about. The church to serve ties? The church owns the school. Duh? I'm sorry your kids weren't able to get accepted into BYU. Bitter, bitter, bitter! By the way, each of my kids loved the experience and have gone on to graduate/law schools elsewhere and guess what? They loved that experience too. Narrow mindedness never was happiness.

Release that Bishop! | 7:33 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Now, can we suspend that bishop?

A man who would ruin a kid's college career over a few missed sacrament meetings (if that's what happened) doesn't belong in that office.

I love BYU | 7:38 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I am, once again, AMAZED at the absurd chatter about the requirements to attend BYU. If you don't like the requirements or don't agree with them then don't attend BYU! And if you don't choose to attend BYU, then why do you care what the requirements and expectations are?! As for BYU making it difficult to attract top students and athletes, LDS or not (per cal mormon), what are you talking about. The idea is that BYU is a great school, offering up a great education and some pretty good athletics to go along with it all. For those students and/or athletes that may have complaints, I say again, DON'T ATTEND BYU IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE! There are plenty of students that would like to be there and can't get in due to space available. If there are complainers there, then let them go and make room for those that WANT to be there .

Renton, WA | 7:36 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

It seems that there are a number of people who have commented on this who are without sin themselves. Since they are throwing stones here are they not perfect. What did the Savior say? "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

cgbyu | 7:37 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I think this shows that when you give the system a little time, and you have good students with a good attitude, it all turns out just fine.
I do think someone over-reacted about his church attendance.

Apparently Kent is a really good kid with the same values we expect at BYU.

Congratulations to Kent for enduring the process and being committed to the ideals that BYU stands for!

HE IS NOT A ROGUE BISHOP | 7:43 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I'm in this guy's ward. I've never seen him before. I don't know the whole story any more than the rest of you know it, but don't judge a man you've never met.

Anonymous | 7:39 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

There ISN'T more to the story than we know. It was about church attendance. The Bishop and stake President Kearl (who is a hard liner) wouldn't sign the endorsement, the family appealed and won.

BYU has athletes kicked out all of the time and we know exactly why each and every time (see Ronney Jenkins and Marcus Whalen).

If there were more to the story (sex, drugs, cheating, ect) we would know about it.

What? | 7:49 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Dear Lame, your comments are exactly that. The Church should cut ties with BYU and let it be a private institution. I have heard some ridiculous statements over the years and this has to rank among the top.

Dean of Ed. Oh, if you only knew, you would not have made such a statement.

Appropriate church leaders intervened, and corrected a mistake. Can't divulge all I know, but Kent is not the story, what happened should be the story.

Mop | 8:18 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Is the track guy who assaulted someone with a mop back as well?

zzzzz.... | 8:16 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

baseball is a boring sport...

cks1450 | 8:20 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I went to byu, I will admit there were times when I did a lot of ward hoping in hopes of meeting a wife. As lame as that may sound to some out there, my bishop did not pull my endorsement. He did pull me in to try and meet me and bring in to the fold. If the only reason the pulled his endorsement was for attendance I question that.

If he is not a rogue bishop, why did his decision get overturned ? It obviously wasn't inline with a higher church officials view on the matter.

The Rock | 8:21 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Bishops are very reluctant to pull an ecclesiastical endorsement. I have never met or heard of a Bishop who had a desire to hurt people. If he pulled the endorsement he probably had good reason to do so. Many students attend a different ward from the one they lived in (girls do that to boys). Perhaps that is what this kid was doing. The Bishop probably tried to talk with the young man about it many times and when nothing worked, he did what he thought he had to do. Pulling the endorsement my have been the best thing for him. It got his attention and he may have been required to make some changes.

There are many wonderful kids who are willing to follow the rules but cannot go to BYU because there is not room. The rule breakers are taking opportunities away from people who want to be there and will follow the rules. Why should my tithing money be used to pay their tuition when my child can't get in due to lack of room"

Judge Not!

anyone | 8:27 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

were you there last week then? because i sure saw him there when i visited....

Rouge Bishop/Lame University | 8:36 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

There were two things that combined to make this the fiasco that it was. An apparent rouge bishop who did not have or know all the facts before taking such a severe action. And a lame university that allowed this extreme action to take place before it apparently knew all the facts. As a Ute fan, I would love nothing more that to have this same "process" apply to the football and basketball team. I am sure the team would be totally depleted. But we all know that will never happen. What was Jim McMahon's church attendance record?

Rebel | 8:40 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Sorry, but this whole thing sounds to me like a bad mistake caused by an overzealous church leader. Several have asked us not to judge. This young man was certainly judeged. If a mistake wasn't made why was the young man let back in school? For some of you that think church leaders don't make mistakes, guess what? They're human.

What happened to responsibility? | 8:41 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Its amazing to me how so many people are calling the bishop names and saying how HE almost ruined the kid's career. The bishop was just doing his job and following the guidelines set forth. The young man chose to go to BYU and agree to an honor code. If he breaks it then HE is the one who has chosen to ruin his career, NOT the bishop. In any case, we don't know what really happened. The only reason we are speculating about the church attendance is because the father mentioned that in the article. I hope that the young man really deserves to continue at BYU. Had this been just your everyday student, he still would be expelled. I hope the athlete really should be back and isn't just back because he's an athlete.

Fredd | 8:39 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I'm not LDS and am not particularly fond of the LDS religion, I like the people fine though. Here's what an outsider sees:
1. He did NOT violate the honor code.
2. The decision was reviewed prior to the player losing his endorsement.
3. The Bishop was over ruled.
Here's my conclusion. If the articles hadn't been printed I doubt this would have been over ruled since it was reviewed prior to be implemented. The Bishop was wrong in his decision or the entity that over ruled is wrong. I'm assuming the Bishop was wrong. Doesn't make him evil or bad. He enforced something and it made a stink in the papers and others decided it could be handled differently.

CLASSIC BYU!!!!!!!! | 8:51 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

You gotta love this. Huge story on the front page when this clown gets kicked out of school for not obeying the honor code. BYU has to show that they take this thing seriously right? Wrong, "sweep that honor code under the rug baby, we got our pub for enforcing it, now lets quietly let the kid play even though he broke the MIGHTY HONOR CODE." Cougars, you are lame. I never want to hear another brag about you beating anybody. You flat out cheat. Your athletic department is a disgrace to the church. I think that all the coaches and AD should be kicked out of the school rather than this kid. They are the ones doing all the sweeping. Don't believe me, ask Mekeli Wesley! At least Tai Wesley has some sense.

Anonymous | 9:03 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

That is why I do not like BYU....FLIP FLOPPERS and to much SELF RIGHTOEUSNESS!!!!

The church is true and is perfect, but the people in it certainly aren't. I guess that is why we have the gospel and the church to make good men better. But sometimes it is a little much when people become overzealous!

Puzzled | 9:01 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

The root cause of this whole fiasco is that the newspapers sensationalized an incident that should have been a private matter! Please don't injure people just to sell a few more papers.

Megan | 9:09 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I can guarantee that it wouldn't have been made such a big deal if he wasn't a "star" athlete so once again we are staying, if you are a "star" you get away with more than if you are a "regular" student. Sickens me......
He signed the honor code..he know what he was doing we he signed on. My advice to people that don't want to follow the honor code.......GO FIND ANOTHER UNIVERSITY! Not that hard...

U of U fan | 9:15 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Follow the Prophet: Go to the University of Utah!
BYU is ridiculous. I agree with the one who says the church is true and perfect. BYU is a mess! I would not
recommend anyone to go to BYU. What is worse is these parents that try and force all their children to go to BYU or be a shame to the family. That is completely contrary to the teachings of the church. These BYUians are a disgrace to the church and I hope people understand they are separate.

Kjaerbye | 9:16 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Rogue Bishopsï¿½/Stake Presidents in the church like this put a bad taste in the mouth of non LDS people. For this same kind of event that happened to me at 18, I left BYU, had my name removed from the records of the LDS church and attended the U of Colorado, Boulder. It was many years later when I was married that I came back to being LDS again. It was a total shock to my faith and belief in the LDS church at that age. It goes to show "although the church is perfect because it's Christ's church, many of those who serve in it are not, and need to repent when they offend and or do wrong to others"!

Great School | 9:24 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

All the information we know came from the father, and it isn't a lot. Bottom line is that we don't know what went on.
I graduated from BYU, experienced great people and some not as great. Just like any other place, What a surprise, eh? For those of you who don't like BYU, don't go there and don't send your kids. There is no shortage of people wanting to attend who can not.
As for close mindedness; when was the last time you talked about religion in your biology class at the U or anywhere else? Religion and biology, chemistry, english; I've experienced all of it at BYU, and it was a great learning experience. It is true that the U of U and other universities have great research programs, but I feel that there are things you can do at BYU that can not be done anywhere else. They all have a rightful place in society.

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