For those of you “oldies but goodies” in the church, you will remember back when our dear leader President of the first Quorum of the Twelve, Howard W. Hunter was speaking at a fireside in 1993 and a bomber approached him and threatened his life. The bomber, Cody Judy handed President Hunter a note to read that called for the release of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve, and stated the man was to be the new prophet of the Church.
For those of you who were too young to remember, it was a very startling event in the Church. I want you to imagine that you were there at the fireside and you saw a “nut case” approach our leader, what would you do? Most people cowered in fear and didn’t know what to do. President Hunter’s guards hid him and protected him, but what happened to the bomber? Did anyone intervene?
I often think of what makes a hero? Who are our heroes? A Father, World War Veteran, someone who saves your life or other’s lives, or how about a child who with courage overcomes a deadly disease? These are all heroes and everyone loves them. It’s not hard to spot a hero. They are always charging toward danger and forgetting themselves and focus on others. They are selfish and brave and courageous without even thinking about it. The unsung hero, the George Washington’s, and Abraham Lincoln’s, and Joseph Smith’s and other prophets of the Lord. My hero is my dad who lovingly showed me right from wrong, was active in the church his entire life, who loved me and cared for me and taught me how to be a man. My Father had an equal eternal partner, my dear mother named. I have been blessed.
A new friend named David Crandall emailed me saying, “I read your blog and love it! I have been having discussions with Greg Hughes about the challenges facing the church and how I’m seeing these being addressed in a faithful way at the Book of Mormon Evidence conferences. Speaker Hughes has brought up the cultural climate and the attacks coming and that are yet to come in regards to Gospel principles. We are working on a group to help address those challenges and next steps. The model that the Firm Foundation and the Joseph Smith Foundation have followed are examples of how to defend the faith in a faithful way from narratives coming from both inside and outside the membership of the church. I was wondering if we could get your input as we work to create this group.”
We have a real hero who just let me know he would be speaking at our Conference on Firday Sep 24, at 8:15 pm. His name is Greg Hughes. This new friend named David Crandall, texted me a few weeks ago. He mentioned he was a big Heartlander fan and loved Rod Meldrum and Wayne May. He said he had been following our websites for years and felt we could help him and his friend in a new project called the “Porter Rockwell Project.”
I have spoken with David several times and his friend Greg Hughes has agreed to come and speak with our group in September. We are very excited.
Who is Greg Hughes?
“Greg Hughes grew up in a rough blue-collar neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Raised by a single mother, with the help of aunts and his grandmother, Greg was taught lessons of faith, hard work and strength of will.
After serving a mission for his church, Greg moved to Utah to work on a political campaign and ended up staying, attending Utah Valley State College and BYU.
In his early 20’s, Greg started what has become a successful small business doing real estate development and property management. He and his business partner still operate this business today.
In 2002, he was elected to the Utah House of Representatives. In 2010 and 2012 he was elected as the House Majority Whip and in 2014 and 2016 his colleagues elected him as the Speaker of the House. He also served as Chairman of the House Education Committee and he founded the Conservative Caucus.
During his time in the Legislature, Greg passed legislation to implement state spending limitations, reformed Utah’s liquor laws, created a public private partnership early childhood education program that has become a model across the country, has been a leader in education reform, and supported truth in bonding and other spending reform legislation. Hughes was a key figure in passing comprehensive tax reform that lead to a flatter state income tax and $400 million in tax cuts.
He is known as a champion for our veterans running bills and supporting legislation that reflect the gratitude and respect that we all feel for our military men and women. He created the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, passed a tuition waiver for Purple Heart recipients, passed the Scott B. Lundell Tuition Waiver that provides free college tuition to surviving dependents of National Guard members killed on active duty, passed a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, increased the pay for members of the National Guard, and he negotiated the development of three new veterans nursing homes
As Speaker, Greg worked extensively on issues that would help attract business and increase job availability for the citizens of Utah and he led the effort to relocate the state prison. Despite unprecedented political pressure, Greg stood strong to defeat multiple attempts to expand Obamacare in Utah. He fought to increase education funding at historic levels ($1.7 billion) while cutting taxes. He led the effort to reform Utah’s homeless services delivery model, and he launched Operation Rio Grande to combat the lawlessness that had grown out of control in Salt Lake City. He also led the effort to go after the manufacturers of opioids and increase drug treatment options for those struggling with addiction.
Greg is known for his ability to get things done by bringing opposing sides together to develop unique Utah-solutions to controversial issues such as medical cannabis, justice reform, developing the inland port, and protecting religious freedom while opposing discrimination.
Hughes founded Red Meat Radio in 2008 and co-hosted the Saturday morning show for six years, until 2014. He was also a co-host of KCPW’s “Both Sides of the Aisle” which received a UBEE award from the Utah Broadcasters Association for Best Personalities in 2014.
Outside of his legislative and business experience, Hughes is active in the community. He has coached little league football and he served in many board positions including Chairman of UTA, Summit Academy Charter School, the United Way of Salt Lake, the Pioneer Park Coalition and the Lone Peak Hospital.
Greg has been married to his wife Krista for 25 years. Together they have three children (Sophie, Holden and Reagan) and reside in Draper, Utah.” https://greghughes.com/
Greg Hughes is a Hero
After I spent the past few weeks speaking with David he mentioned something that solidified my desire to have Greg speak to our Heartland Group. David told me that as a young man in 1993, Greg Hughes was attending a fireside at BYU to hear Elder Howard W. Hunter. Greg saw a stranger approach the podium where Elder Hunter stood, carrying a briefcase and a toy cellular phone wrapped in black tape. The stranger approached President Hunter and told others sitting on the stand to clear the area, saying he had a bomb and detonator.
Greg Hughes a young spectator as I understand, leaps on the stranger and subdued him in some manner. Greg mentioned, he wanted to emphasize that he wasn’t alone in rushing the assailant. Greg also has a metal plate in his hand to this day from an injury he sustained in the event.
That’s all I have heard so far from David and I am excited to hear from Greg Hughes exactly what happened. Greg sounds like a huge hero to me. That’s why I voted for him this past Governor’s election, not because I knew anything about his subduing a bomber, but because I heard and saw in him the qualities of a leader. I am honored to know Greg has agreed to come and speak to all of us on Fri Sept 24, at 8:15 pm. Please put him on your calendar and visit the schedule of the other speakers here. This will be a wonderful event which will build our faith in the Lord and help us love and share the Book of Mormon more in this troubled world.
Bomb Threat at BYU Fireside (Howard W. Hunter presides)
Fireside disrupted with threat of bomb
Published in the Church News – February 13, 1993
By Sheridan R. Sheffield, Church News staff writer
A BYU 19-stake fireside address by President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve came to an abrupt halt for about 10 minutes Feb. 7 when a man walked up to the podium threatening to detonate a bomb.
President Hunter was just beginning his address on adversity to 17,000 people in the Marriott Center when the 27-year-old man came out of the audience and walked onto the stand, carrying a briefcase and a toy cellular phone wrapped in black tape. He approached President Hunter and told others sitting on the stand to clear the area, saying he had a bomb and detonator. Everyone moved off the stand, except for two Church security officers who refused to leave President Hunter’s side. President Hunter appeared calm and never responded to the man. When the incident was over, President Hunter continued his address without appearing shaken.
The man handed a letter to President Hunter to read, but he refused to read it, said Margaret Smoot, director of BYU Public Communications. She said the letter reportedly called for the release of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve, and stated the man was to be the prophet of the Church.
About the same time, the congregation began to sing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” which seemed to distract the man, BYU officials said.
In a quick turn of events, an older man from the audience tried to distract the assailant but was shoved down. A student from the front row then sprayed the intruder with mace.
The two security officers were able to apprehend the assailant and pull him off the stage. About 40 to 50 students then converged on the man. He was handcuffed by university police and arrested.
President Hunter was brought to the floor by security guards, but was not injured.
Police opened the briefcase only to find books and a radio. As a precaution, a police bomb squad blew up the briefcase.
Cody Judy of Bakersfield, Calif., appeared in 4th Circuit Court Feb. 9 on charges of kidnapping, a second degree felony; aggravated assault, a third degree felony; and assault, a Class B misdemeanor. Prosecutors also requested a 30-day psychiatric evaluation. Bail was set at $100,000.
Police said the man was the same person who a week earlier had left guns and ammunition inside Temple Square late at night as a “gift” to the prophet.
The fireside was being broadcast to college institutes throughout North America over the Church’s satellite network but was stopped during the incident.
Following the arrest, President Hunter continued his talk, telling the audience, “I want to tell you how good your voices sound.”
He was speaking on campus as part of the BYU Book of Mormon Symposium, which concluded Feb. 7 with his address.
Suspect in Fireside Bomb Threat Says He Was Fulfilling Prophecies
Published in the Deseret News – February 9, 1993
By Laura Andersen Callister and Jim Rayburn, Staff Writers
A man who was arrested in the bomb threat at Brigham Young University during an LDS fireside Sunday said he was only fulfilling prophecies he had received from visions and visitations.
“I meant no harm to anyone. I am just doing exactly what the Lord has commanded me,” Cody Robert Judy, 27, told the Deseret News in an interview from his jail cell Monday.Utah County prosecutors Tuesday charged Judy with kidnapping, a second-degree felony; aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; and assault, a class B misdemeanor.
Judy, with a large bruise below his right eye, made a first court appearance Tuesday morning before 4th Circuit Judge E. Patrick McGuire. More than 10 security guards were posted throughout the courtroom during the hearing, and everyone entering the courtroom was searched with a metal detector. McGuire read the charges against Judy and set his bail at $100,000 cash bond or property.
Deputy Utah County Attorney Mary Ann Baldwin informed McGuire that she filed a petition in 4th District Court for Judy to undergo a mental competency evaluation. Judge Guy R. Burningham signed the petition, and McGuire ordered that Judy be transferred from the Utah County Jail to the Utah State Hospital.
Judy will return to 4th District Court in about 45 days for a hearing to determine if he is competent to proceed with a trial. If he is found competent, a preliminary hearing will be held to determine if there is probable cause to bind the case over to 4th District Court. If he is found incompetent, he will remain at the Utah State Hospital until he becomes competent.
Judy, a resident of Bakersfield, Calif., told the Deseret News he came to Salt Lake City three weeks ago to take over the LDS Church and bring its members to repentance.
“The members of the LDS Church are under condemnation because they have the most truth and are not living it,” Judy said.
Judy said his motive Sunday night was to have Howard W. Hunter, president of the Council of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, read a three-page letter that released the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of the church and confirmed Judy as president of the church.
“I have seen the resurrected Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ and ancient apostles. They have told me this is what I have to do,” Judy said.
Judy was apprehended Sunday after he held what he said was a bomb detonator next to President Hunter’s head and threatened to blow up an audience of 17,000 at BYU’s Marriott Center.
“I had no ill intent. The only dynamite I had was the scriptures. The so-called detonator was only a toy. I had my arm around President Hunter telling him everything would be OK,” Judy said.
Police found books in the briefcase Judy said was dynamite.
Judy said his “visions and visitations” began after his wife left him two years ago. He said he hasn’t seen his three children in almost two years.
Judy said the frightened audience at BYU should not have been afraid.
“If they would have faith they would not have feared, it was a warning to the saints for their own good,” Judy said.
But Ron Rodda, President Hunter’s niece’s husband, who was on the stand with the general authority and who grabbed the letter and put it in his pocket, said it instructed President Hunter in effect to “not goof this up or there will be a lot of people killed.” He did not quote directly from the note because, he said, it contained many profanities.
When the audience started singing the LDS hymn, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” Judy thought they were singing to him.
Cody Judy: a second chance is not a good idea
While the Obots.org web site seems pretty much out of business, I really enjoyed reading one of it’s articles on Donald Trump’s “presidential timber.” When it comes to selecting the person who sits next to the suitcase with the atomic bomb launch codes, I want someone who doesn’t easily lose their temper or do irrational things.
There is another story about a suitcase and a bomb, and it involves 2012 Democratic presidential candidate and Georgia birther ballot challenger Cody Judy. Back in 1993 Judy charged onto the stage in front of 15,000 Mormons gathered to hear Mormon President Howard W. Hunter. He threatened Hunter with a “detonator” and suitcase that he said contained a bomb, demanding that Hunter read a document describing how God planned for Judy to lead the church. Hunter refused and Judy was subdued. He served 8 years in jail.
I’m a Christian who believes in redemption, and I’m a liberal who believes in second chances. But I do not think it would be a good idea for Cody Judy to be President of the United States. It’s just this thing about suitcases and bombs that bothers me. Cody Judy
