Before Charlie Kirk There Was Cleon Skousen

A little-known 1958 book continues to influence American conservatism, anti-communist activism, and political culture decades after its publication. In this video, we explore the surprising story behind The Naked Communist by Cleon Skousen, tracing its origins to Mormon doctrine, LDS leadership, and the broader religious ideas that helped shape the modern conservative movement. Learn how Skousen's anti-communist worldview developed, why LDS President David O. McKay played a pivotal role in the book's success, and how The Naked Communist became a bestseller embraced by organizations like the John Birch Society. This deep dive examines Mormon history, Christian nationalism, Cold War politics, and the lasting influence of one of the most consequential political books of the twentieth century. Newsletter link for giveaway: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573562537395 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminparkhistorian TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminparkhistorian Books: American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16 Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw Video Chapters: 00:00 Surprising Legacy 00:41 Ben Carson 01:21 Lasting Influence 02:22 Who Was Skousen 04:27 Anti Communist Mission 05:33 Police Chief Years 07:10 Writing The Book 08:13 Mormon Foundations 09:18 Publisher Rejections 10:12 McKay's Promise 11:01 Early Endorsements 11:51 Conference Promotion 12:44 National Impact 13:52 Conservative Legacy 15:05 Why It Matters #MormonHistory #AmericanHistory #Conservatism #politicalhistory About This Channel: Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past. This channel participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Views expressed on this channel are those of the presenter and not his employer.