Called to Teach: The Legacy of Karl G. Maeser

by A. LeGrand Richards

Karl G. Maeser has rightfully been called the spiritual architect not only of Brigham Young University but also of the Church Educational System. As the first superintendent of Church Education, he helped found and maintain over fifty academies and schools from Canada to Mexico. He helped develop the public education system in Utah and helped establish the Utah Teachers Association. The students he taught personally included future United States senators and members of the House of Representatives, a United States Supreme Court justice, university presidents, and many General Authorities. He translated twenty-nine hymns and about a third of the Doctrine and Covenants into German and founded Der Stern, the Church’s German magazine (now called the Liahona). Based on extensive research, Called to Teach describes the life of this remarkable man and outlines the impact of his legacy.

Genres: Nonfiction

620 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2014

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter gave me this book for Christmas last year. I read it a little at a time, and am grateful for the experience. Karl G. Maeser is a direct-line ancestor of mine, so I was reading with the eyes of a granddaughter. I am a teacher, so I also read it with the eyes of an educator. A. LeGrand Richards was a teacher of mine in the education department at BYU, so, I also read the book with the eyes of a student. With all those eyes, I was enlightened, and would clearly recommend it to readers who read it with any of those eyes.

[Jeri Schille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not only a history of the educator and champion of learning, Karl G. Maeser, but also a history of schools in Utah set in the context of education in the United States. Karl brought theories of education from Germany which were considered progressive at the time, which were interesting, but his love of the student was most inspiring to me. I marked many passages but the following quotes from the book were my favorites:


"Be yourself, but always your better self." Karl G. Maeser.


"Every good and perfect gift cometh from God. Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it." Brigham Young.


"A piece of furniture may be beautifully painted, splendidly varnished, elaborately ornamented and gotten up in exquisite taste, and still prove worthless on account of the rotten timber in it. Another piece far less showy may be of greater value because it is proven to consist of solid wood. Thus it is with man. No outward refinement in manners, no acquired accomplishments, no excellence in the arts or sciences, no mastership in mechanical pursuits, no high position in society--can recompense for the lack of a virtuous character." Karl G. Maeser.


"Children hear better with their eyes than with their ears." Karl G. Maeser.


"An overburdened animal refuses to rise." Karl G. Maeser

[Joshua Kreitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I teach at a school named after Karl, and I have been greatly inspired to become a far better teacher after reading this book about his life and legacy.

The author deftly lays out Karl's life as an example of a humble, kind, and well-educated teacher seeking to bring the light of learning to his pupils with exceptional zest.

If you are a teacher, or if are considering becoming a teacher, I highly encourage you to read the book.

The book is long, in part because it seems to be attempting to meet three different goals:
1. Sharing Karl's inspiring life story.
2. Sharing Karl's educational philosophy.
3. Showing how Karl helped to mold the school that became Brigham Young University.
Each of these could have become a book in its own right, but as the themes are all interrelated, I can understand the editorial allowance.

Perhaps this quote, written by Maeser himself on a chalkboard that was preserved, best sums up Maeser's beliefs and legacy: "This life is one great object lesson to practice on the principles of immortality and eternal life."

[Freddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot even begin to express the profound impact this book has had on my life!!! --for now and eternity.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I stumbled upon at Deseret Book, and one I was glad to have found! A Mormon convert, German immigrant and founder of the educational system in Utah, Karl G. Maeser was an amazing example of faith. I learned about the early history of the Church in Utah especially around the transitional time of Utah statehood. The Church had to move from being isolationist and seeking to avoid conformity to the world in any way to becoming a part of the union. Many of these challenges showed up in the arena of public schools. One of the main debates was whether education should be compartmentalized into secular and religious, with religious education being entirely excluded from public schools, or whether there should be no separation between secular and religious education. The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that all forms of truth originate from God and should all be taught my the Spirit of God. Hence, the unique teaching experience at BYU and other Church schools. Back in the day, the Church had an ambitious program to have a Church-sponsored school in every stake in Utah while simultaneously supporting a seminary program to supplement secular education at public schools. Eventually, the seminary program became the main focus and Church-sponsored programs exist today mainly at the university level. For me, it was good to become acquainted with this part of Church history. To me, the era of Brigham Young seems a mystery that many Church members avoid and seem ashamed of. Plural marriage and odd doctrines seem something to avoid. But this showed me that they were men to be looked up to, and I can't imagine living at such difficult times. The environment was totally different. We take things for granted today when being Mormon is acceptable in the world, even if people still think we're a little weird. It wasn't like that. People were openly hostile to Mormons. I served a mission in Germany where Mormons are still considered an odd-ball sect, and I couldn't help be awed at Maeser's conversion story. He was converted by an anti-Mormon tract. He had to have amazing faith. It helped me realize that the Church history I learned in seminary was going on at the same time that world history was going on. I was able to integrate these two timelines together while reading this book. Great read.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally picked this up off the library shelf for the sole reason that the Maeser building at BYU was my favorite building. That's a pretty good reason to read someone's biography, right? As it turns out, I learned SO much about several topics I'm interested in, and I'm sure this book will stay with me for years to come.
Maeser was truly an inspiration. He was an intelligent, devoted, humble and loving man, willing to work hard and sacrifice both recognition and monetary recompense for the sake of a cause he believed in. He embodied a style of teaching in which the master makes himself the example for the students to follow. He asks nothing of his students that he isn't willing to do himself. There were so many lessons I learned from this book about how to be a better teacher and about the heavy personal responsibility I bear to fulfil that calling well.
I loved reading about Maeser's conversion story in Germany, and the political history lesson I received about German unification (I had no idea about the religious suppression that went on there). It was also a fascinating and in-depth look at Utah politics in the decades leading up to statehood. I was shocked at the level of antagonism that non-members exhibited toward the church, but I was also enlightened by how messy the politics were when it was all mixed up with Brigham Young acting as both a religious and political leader.
This was not a quick read (I mostly read it on Sundays, and during the drier parts I might go several weeks without picking it up), but I highly recommend it. This was obviously a labor of love on the part of the author, and yet with so much information and details, I was very impressed with how organized and focused the writing was. Footnotes were very helpful in keeping the story moving.
I will never think of Karl G. Maeser (and his beautiful building) without thinking of my mentor in teaching, Jerry Jaccard. I gave him this book as a gift because it felt like every other page was describing him. He, too, inspires his students to carry on as lifelong learners and to teach every subject with love and the objective of leading learners to truth, rather than cramming information down their throats. He and Maeser are both inspirations to me.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently joined our chapter of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and used this book as my history for that meeting. Karl G. Maeser is my Great-Great Grandfather. He was a polygamist, and was asked by the then prophet Brigham Young to take a second wife. He really did not want to. The book talks about polygamy and the goods and bads of the times. When they lived in Dresden, Germany, it tells the experience of Karl writing letters people that had knowledge about the Mormon Church and asked them to send missionaries to Germany so that he could have teachings of what this was about. After several attempts, the leadership at the time realized how serious Karl was to be taught about the Church. He and others of the Brethren at the time were converted, and Karl G. was the first member of the Church to be baptized in the Country of Germany. They later by ship came to the States and then traveled by wagon to Utah. To have heard my Grandmother speak of him, and my aunts and uncles speak of the Maeser School that they attended, and to have the opportunity to tour through it was an amazing opportunity. It has been converted into apartments, and while there, we begged and borrowed our way in to see one of the apartments and the rooms and halls. My aunts remembered which grade they had in which room. Richards mentions the quotes that Maeser writes on the blackboards there in the school. Got to see some of them. Well written book. Valuable book for all educators. Attended the 100 year celebration of the of the Karl G. Maeser building on BYU Campus about 1 1/2 years ago. RECOMMEND!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mus-read for every educator. Today's educational climate would be such a disappointment to Dr. Maeser. Best teaching practice today requires drill-and-kill test review. The whole child is mostly forgotten. The Head-Heart-Hands approach is the best for the child and society (and also the economy).

This book skillfully traces Carl G. Maser's life as a German educator, early Mormon convert in Germany, why he was forced to leave his homeland and eventually laid the foundations in Utah for a great university, Utah's public schools, and the Utah Education Association.

Future educators, professors in schools of education, current educators and administrators, parents, lawmakers, educational historians and education association leaders should (must) read this history. The future of our schools may depend on it.

[Saraelizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book to read in the hope that I would learn more about Karl G. Maeser, the man, and his educational methods. The parts of the book that focused on that we're awesome. But the book is huge, and a lot of it was history of events surrounding Maeser. I'm not saying that's not important, but sometimes it was a little dry and since Maeser didn't keep a journal, there wasn't a lot of his perspective through these parts.
I absolutely loved the parts about Maeser's teaching-so inspiring and interesting to learn more about him. The part about how BYU began and the church's early battle with public schools was very interesting as well. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in BYU or education; just be aware that the history parts run a little long.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an educator I found this biography of Karl G. Maeser was very engaging. It is more than the history of a great man but it is also the history of the education of the children of Utah. I loved seeing the origins of the school of thought that shaped my life and all students that have progressed through the "modern" ideals of teaching introduced by Karl Maeser. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, Karl Maeser was faithful, as an educator he was devoted, as an example of Christ-like service he is without rival, as a standard of duty he is inspiring. Thank you A. LeGrand Richards for introducing Maeser to the next generation of students.

[Gary McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so fascinating when one reads a book about one subject and discovers insights into completely different matters. I am constantly reminded that there are no new sins, government atrocities, abuse of power, and disagreements between the governed and the governors. Also, that there are no new solutions, just people of all kinds and persuasions who fail to live wisely and well. Just human hubris and ignorance.

I am not sure if I actually recommend anyone read this particular book, but "Called to Teach: the legacy of Karl G. Maeser" by A. LeGrand Richards is really a fascinating read for me.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was long and detail-filled, as any historical book is, but was a fascinating look at the man who shaped education in much of Utah. It was enlightening for me to understand the history behind the institution where I work and other forms of religious education in the state. I certainly have a much increased respect for Karl G. Maeser and the book gave me much to ponder regarding my own role as an educator.

[Dr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richards' magnum opus. A masterwork of educational thought couched in the life of one of the most influential American educators. Brilliantly researched (is it self serving to say that when one is acknowledged in the preface and one's master's thesis is used in the book???) and well-written. This book is the definitive biography of Maeser's educational philosophy and teachings.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great combination of biography and educational history.

[Jenny Clawson]

great!

I enjoyed reading this book. I am inspired to lead a better life and am grateful for the time I had as a student at BYU.