Controversial ‘musket fire’ speech added to BYU curriculum for new students
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PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — A controversial speech performed by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland during a BYU University Conference in 2021 is now part of the school’s general education curriculum, worrying the LGTBQ+ community at the university.
Holland’s infamous speech, “The Second Half of the Second Century of Brigham Young University” is most colloquially known as the “musket fire speech.” While addressing the staff at BYU, Holland seemed to call on the university to take up metaphorical muskets to defend the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Namely, Holland singled out “the doctrine of the family and … marriage as the union of a man and a woman” in his remarks. He called on the university to avoid “language, symbols and situations” that are more divisive and unifying saying Church leaders struggled over the difficult issue of what the Church “can and cannot” provide to individuals and families struggling with same-sex topics.
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“I will go to my grave pleading that this institution not only stands but stands unquestionably committed to its unique academic mission and to the Church that sponsors it,” Holland said in part. “We hope it isn’t a surprise to you that your Trustees are not deaf or blind to the feelings that swirl around marriage and the whole same-sex topic on campus.”
That controversial speech is now part of the general education curriculum at Brigham Young University, in a mandatory class known as “BYU Foundations for Student Success.” The course, which also features several other speeches given by various leaders at the university, is meant to help new students “understand the unique mission and purpose of BYU” and connect students to resources on campus.
The classes for the new course began in the 2024 winter semester as a new requirement for General Education. The topics discussed include managing expectations, relationships with faculty, healthy mindsets, working with diverse thoughts and opinions and planning next steps.
A BYU spokesperson told ABC4 in a statement that the class has been well received by students.
“At BYU we want all our students, including our LGBTQ students to feel both the love of the Savior and the joy associated with living His commandments as part of a covenant-keeping community,” BYU said via email. “We believe that we have a shared primary identity as sons and daughters of God. We welcome LGBTQ students and are grateful for all those who choose BYU because of its environment of covenant belonging.
Still, RaYnbow Collective, an off-campus community dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students at BYU, said the inclusion of the speech is “deeply concerning.”
“The use of this speech, which was originally intended for staff and faculty, has significant implications for queer students, suggesting they do not belong and fostering an unsafe environment,” the group said in a statement made to social media. “By insinuating that queer students lie outside the boundaries of the university’s mission and vision, the speech perpetuates harm and undermines efforts to foster a sense of belonging.”
The RaYnbow Collective said the speech has caused “considerable” harm, mentally physically and emotionally and even to justify acts of violence. The group said it will always advocate for initiatives that “foster a kinder campus community, where all students feel valued, supported and included.”
“We urge reconsideration and exploration of alternative messaging that promotes unity and respect for all members of the BYU community,” the group said.
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