Reader comments
BYU professor revels in teaching

Her class on Church History was absolutely my favorite religion class at BYU. Her enthusiasm for the subject and ability express that in a powerful way is amazing. And it felt as if she were speaking from first-hand experience. She is an amazing teacher.

First woman to crack one of the churches all male clubs? What's next for her?

I have always admired Susan Easton Black. She motivates you with her indefatigable energy. You DO leave her lecture with writer's cramp. I attended one of her Monday Education Week classes and found her so intriguing. She is a stunning looking woman and has a beautiful spirit besides charisma. No wonder Harvey fell in love with her--Her creativity and knowledge is practically boundless. Thank you to whoever authored this article about her. It is excellent. I heard that she learned all of her historical (Church) interests from one of her grandmothers. I am a grandmother and know how influential a grandmother can be. My gratitude to Dallin H. Oaks for his insight to invite her to teach at BYU. She IS a legend in her own time; my thirst for knowledge is nothing compared to this amazing teacher.
Anna McIntire

Thank you for a wonderful article about an extraordinary person. I have never had the privilege of having a class taught by Sister Black, but I find myself reading or listening to her speeches whenever I get the chance. As a lover of history, and especially early LDS Church history, I love the details and insights she provides as she relates her knowledge of this important part of Church history. My ancestors were there during the early history of the church and I love to learn things that make that time live for me, and Susan has such a knack for bringing out all the details that puts you right in the middle of all that happened. Whenever I share my limited knowledge of history, I find I do about the same as Sister Black in teaching and telling stories without notes or very few, anyway. My love for the subject keeps me rolling as I relate stories or incidents and that�s the fun part of being a history nut! Thanks again for sharing Susan�s story. Sister Black is a real motivating factor in helping me continue my quest for history and story telling.

Excellent article, Susan. I'm still 2-3 on ping pong though.

Where was she when I took religion. My professor had nothing but notes and never looked up from them. It was like the most boring teachers had to be religion teachers.

Susan was, by far, the best lecturer I've ever heard; she truly made LDS history come alive. Twenty years later I can still remember the details of stories she told to packed classes in the old JSB. She was smart,gorgeous, and had incredible comic timing to boot.

LOL
Teach too much and you'll be ex'd!

Susan is as good off the field as she is on.

She is a kind and caring person. She and Harvey go out of their way to help and befriend others in ways that are marvelous. She genuinely wants to lift and inspire everyone she meets!

Thank you Susan, for being my hero.

Her story is amazing and very inspiring. I've taken classes from her and seen her speak numerous times. She's great.

I had Susan for church history. Incredibly charismatic, beautiful, funny and intelligent woman. It certainly was my most enjoyable religion class at BYU. Unfortunately, I didn't think the history she taught was totally honest, and I certainly don't think so now.

I can verify that she won the Gold at the NuSkin Provo Senior Games. Now I am hoping that she will sometime enter the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, held every October.
Grant Misbach
Director of table tennis at the Provo Senior Games and past Director of table tennis at Huntsman World Senior Games

...was that supposed to be funny? Because it was more obnoxious than anything else.

I have Sister Black right now for LDS History, 1805 to 1844. She is an incredible teacher and keeps you interested in the subject and the people.

I had her for Church History and she was awesome! Thanks!

I also has had Sis. Black for two classes over 20 years ago and to this day I regard her as the best teacher I had outside of my major, maybe including it. I always came out of class drained from note taking and my head hurt from so much information- she was always enthralling, enthusiastic, insightful and inspiring. I still remember the deep emotion we felt in the classroom when the subject of the the Prophet's martyrdom was taught. She was and is infectious and I feel blessed to have been one of the thousands she has touched.

Clifford, I would trust Sister Black's honest history far more than any that you think you have run across. I am sorry you got taken off the right track!

great teachers are needed because they know how to communicate above the norm and great students are able to recognize this great ability. good story , no matter what topic or school!

"Unfortunately, I didn't think the history she taught was totally honest, and I certainly don't think so now."

Translation: She loves the Church and has a testimony of it, and her lectures reflect that, so therefore I don't like what she says.

I just think it is too bad she isn't a solid scholar. She is more like a glorified seminary teacher. At least that was my impression when I took a class from her a few years ago.