Deseret News | Reader comments: BYU professor revels in teaching

Reader comments
BYU professor revels in teaching

Past Student | 1:20 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

Anonymous | 1:48 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

What an Inspiration!! | 5:34 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

Comments continue below

Tom Tolman | 5:38 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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 thatï¿½s the fun part of being a history nut! Thanks again for sharing Susanï¿½s story. Sister Black is a real motivating factor in helping me continue my quest for history and story telling.

Anonymous | 6:18 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

flatlander | 7:24 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

B.W. | 7:24 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

"Church History" | 7:32 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

John | 7:44 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

Cats | 8:04 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

clifford | 9:40 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

Anonymous | 10:03 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

Re: "Church History" | 10:21 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

Debbie | 10:51 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

Former Student | 11:31 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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

former student | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

Geraldine | 12:23 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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!

yes!! | 12:43 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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!

Translating for "clifford" | 1:01 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

"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.

Vicky | 1:23 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

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.

oh Vicky and Clifford | 2:56 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

get over it, lets hear you teach....hmmmn thats what i thought! at her level you either got it or you don't ..kinda like you either get it or you don't..the story must be told!

Darrell | 3:44 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

She was great. The only thing I wish she would do is site more references. I believe what she said to be accurate, but if I were to try to pass those stories on, people would double there validity. I would like to be able to point them to first had sources.

Bert | 3:52 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

Thanks to Susan Black for such dedication to her role as a teacher - her commitment continues to be to her students.
What a wonderful example of achievement. In my view she is without doubt a 'solid scholar'.

Scott | 4:35 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

Does anyone know if Susan has any of her lectures on CD or have mp3's available to download? They would be great to listen to on my iPOD.

Zencookie | 5:22 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

Sister Black, Our early storie are very similar. I must confess that I didn't know much about you until I read this article but I've found some much needed strength in it. I too am a writer though and sadly not as prolific (or as well-known) as you. I am experiencing the most difficult time of my life worse even than my husband and his affairs and our inevitable divorce. I had decided last week that I had no more faith and that I couldn't possibly endure another moment. I'm only slightly better than that today. But, I am slightly better than what I was just a few moments ago. Thank you for being a tough cookie and for the inspiration. I hope I can find a measure of joy and success in my future. I'll be happy to just publish one book :) Blessings!

Dennis McKay | 8:36 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

That was the best written article I have ever read!! Of course the subject matter of the talk helped immensely. Thanks to the author of the article for bringing once again to our remembrance this wonderful person.

Indeed would someone please let us know where we can find some of her lectures on CD, Tape or MP3. Dennis

Ryan K. | 8:55 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008

Sister Black was the best religion teacher I had at BYU, hands down.

Forrest | 5:01 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I admire her giving herself for others' benefit. She was so gracious to attend our family reunion, and tell us so much about our pioneer ancestors.
Thank you, Susan!

Laurie M. | 11:31 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Harvey Black was one of my professors when he was dating Susan. He was so cute and head-over-heels in love! I can see why! Carry on, Sister Black!

Gary Baugh | 2:58 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

My wife and I were fortunate to be on a church history tour with Susan to Nauvoo last summer, our first meeting with her. Our daughter had her as a teacher and raved about her. But what a joy it was for us to listen to Susan's stories about unknown facts about Joseph, Emma, Brigham, etc during that period of Church History. We couldn't stump her with any of our questions. Susan was so open to share with us insights we had never dreamed about. She made history alive, as if we too were there to witness all those wonderful and tragic events. What a joy and a delight to be taught by her. Harvey was just as much fun as well. Susan is a remarkable, intelligent, and entertaining lady and scholar. Thank you for a great and accurate article. Gary and Joan

Michael Christenson | 9:33 a.m. Nov. 12, 2008

The lack of lecture notes and other materials was kind of jarring, but that was soon lost in the fascination of her teaching--which was more of a free-flowing storytelling. And it's always in the present tense, too: "and then the angel Moroni appears to Joseph and says..." "the mob tears him out of the house and proceeds to..."

I signed up for a class with her just out of the name recognition, and was not disappointed.

Really appreciate knowing all this background material. I had no idea. What an amazing story. Thank you, Doug, for bringing this to us.

abrounds | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 12, 2008

I was not familiar with Susan until I heard her speak at meeting our Ancestral family held 1 year before we had a large family reunion in Nauvoo to dedicate a monument to our ancestor. Susan has the wonderful ability to not only teach Church History in general, but to place a particular person right in the middle of it all and explain their relationship to all that was happening around them. She made everyone excited to attend the Nauvoo dedication. We also had Susan come and speak at the dedication of the monument, which was a real treat. Our family really appreciated her knowledge of the subject and her ability to relay that knowledge in an interesting manner.

Sandy Egan Francis | 8:52 p.m. Nov. 15, 2008

I went to BYU with Susan ( Suzy as we called her )and we were friends. She was such a fun friend and I knew then that she was really smart. Why shouldn't she be able to do this. She is and was always gifted. Hats off to a remarkable woman.

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