• Gary Crowton
  As the replacement for famed BYU Coach LaVell Edwards, who retired last year, Crowton only had to do as well or a little better than Edwards had last year to be accepted as adequate. Instead Crowton has led the Cougars to their first undefeated (so far) season since their National Championship in 1984.
  See: Crowton Will Be Named BYU Coach Today Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Eugene England
  Known for his untiring attempts to bridge the gap between liberal and conservative LDS Church members, W. Eugene England died August 17th of brain cancer. His example made a lasting impression for Church members of how to live in a community with conflicting views.
  See: Remembering England Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Tom Green
  While not now an LDS Church member, Tom Green has been in the news this past year as much as any other Mormon. The Utah polygamist, once an LDS Church member, appeared in newspapers worldwide during his trial on bigamy charges. Although Green wouldn't see it this way, he gave the LDS Church more opportunity to disavow itself of polygamy than it would otherwise have had.
  See: Polygamist Green Given Five Years, $78,000 Judgement Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Orrin Hatch
  Hatch continues to have a major impact on U.S. policies, including his groundbreaking decision to support the use of federal funds for stem-cell research. With Hatch leading the way, all five Mormon senators eventually supported stem-cell research, and the views of many conservatives were moderated on this issue because of his decision.
  See: Hatch Favors Stem Cell Funding, Draws Pro-Life Ire Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Paula Houston
  Lawyer Houston was named Utah's Porn Czar to handle citizen complaints about pornography and help Utah's local governments draft laws that meet constitutional muster. The unique nature of her new job led to national attention.
  See: LDS Church Member, Utah's 'Porn Czarina,' Gets National Attention Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Elbert Peck
  For fifteen years Elbert Peck led Sunstone magazine, despite criticism from conservatives and continuing struggles to keep the magazine growing. In spite of the criticism, Peck has maintained his belief that Sunstone provides a needed and enduring role in the Mormon community.
  See: Long-time Sunstone Publisher Elbert Peck Resigns Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Naomi Randall
  A longtime leader of the LDS Church's Primary organization, Randall was best known for authoring the favorite LDS hymn, "I am a Child of God," in 1957. Randall died May 17th at age 92.
  See: 'I am a Child of God' Author Naomi Randall Dies Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Mitt Romney
  When Romney took over the Salt Lake Organizing Committee in January, 1999, he became one of the most visible Mormons in the world, known for rescuing the 2002 Winter Olympics from a bribery scandal that could have put it in the red. And since the 2002 Games he is preparing for is in the Mormon heartland, he has also become visible to many Mormons.
  See: Deseret News Profiles Mitt Romney Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• William Sadleir
  Sadleir pulled off one of the biggest Mormon commemorative events in history, focusing the attention of news media on two continents as well as hundreds of thousands of Mormons on a small group of ships commemorating the immigration of more than 80,000 Mormon pioneers from Europe to America. SeaTrek2001 was simply the biggest Mormon event since the 1997 Mormon Trek re-enactment.
  See: SeaTrek Sails; Commemoration Gets International Attention Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

• Mark Wattles
  CEO of Hollywood Entertainment has managed to turn around his company and raise its stock price during the year from under $1 a share to a high of $12 a share.
  See: Hollywood Entertainment Fighting Investor Fears Nominated by Kent Larsen

   

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