"My Mormon upbringing...taught me that while the life of the mind was exciting and virtuous, ti also involved responsibilities--there were limits.  Building on the example of my mentors, I came to believe that we ought to make and advance knowledge by research and writing; we ought to transmit knowledge and skills by teaching and lecturing; and we ought to help others lead ethical, fulfilling lives by talks, counseling, and good example.  As we devote ourselves heart and soul to solving particular intellectual and social problems, we must also keep our sights open to the large (not always answerable) questions of human and divine meaning and purpose.  We must be lucid and humane, honest and helpful, devoted to our scholarly callings and loyal to our faith and community. We must cultivate both social skills and spiritual virtues--humility, faith, courage, and good will.  Humility would dispose us to learn from others, faith in the gospel to retain our moorings, courage to open our beliefs to critical examination and change, and good will to be fair and just in considering the people and practices that come before us--these virtues were taught by the scriptures, by Joseph smith, by modern revelation, and by the great philosophers; they would help us in our spiritual quest for exaltation.  Above all, we ought to eschew the rootless life not tied to divine instruction, healthy tradition, and robust piety."

-Leonard J. Arrington, Adventures of a Church Historian (pg. 23-24)