I recently read the column by Lenna Lambert titled “Follow examples of Ben Franklin, President Hinckley to achieve an above-average life” in the Feb. 7 edition. The headline startled me since many years ago I had read the book “A Little Revenge: Benjamin Franklin and His Son,” by Willard Randall. Contacting Lambert, I learned her point of reference was the book “The Real Ben Franklin,” by Allison, Skousen and Maxfield. Ben Franklin did leave a huge legacy for all future generations, but I guess it’s the comparison to President Hinckley that bothered me. Franklin was a man of loose morals, capable of deep, intense anger and inexcusable behaviors — one of the biggest hypocrites ever espoused as a good example to emulate. Franklin’s wife, Deborah, was abandoned for most of their long marriage. His philandering and dalliance were well known. He preferred to schmoose, network and politic up in New England, then England, France, Scotland, and various other European spots. Yes, it was in the name of our attaining independence, nevertheless, he could have been a man of honor and integrity while doing his job. Franklin was a man who lived by the philosophy “do as I say, not as I do.” Espousing great ideas and walking the walk are worlds apart for Benjamin Franklin. I just can’t know this side of the man and see him compared to our prophet Gordon B. Hinckley — a man of extraordinary morals who talked the talk and then walked the walk all the days of his life.
Samm Seals
Tooele