Science FAQs

The following contains nearly 40 Frequently Asked Questions often asked and widely debated regarding the theories of organic evolution and the age of the earth as they pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a subject that causes dispute and often uneasiness, but typically is poorly understood. Some research done in the past […]

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32) TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL: Should religion and science be kept separate? Can Prophets receive revelation on scientific subjects? Are the temporal and spiritual two distinct realms?

Commentary Some members of the Church who feel that evolution is a fact and at the same time know that the Presidents of the Church and the scriptures have taught contrary to this fact, believe that the argument is science versus religion. Because of this they feel that the Church and prophets should not make […]

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21) DO WE KNOW: Have we received much instruction on the subject of organic evolution? Do we just need to wait until the Lord reveals information on the Creation of the Earth? How many revealed accounts of the Creation are there?

Commentary One argument made by proponents of the theories of Darwinism who desire to harmonize evolution with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that we have not received much instruction on evolution. They seem to pretend a desire to have the word of God on this subject when it is revealed during the Millenium. This […]

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24) MORMONISM AND EVOLUTION: Is the book Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements authoritative?

Commentary Please see Gary Shapiro’s excellent blog for additional information on the flaws in Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements and an entire review. Prophetic Statements Ezra Taft Benson Permit me to offer you a word of counsel about writing books or articles. Some of you have desired to write, and we do not […]

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27) CHARLES DARWIN: What have LDS Church leaders taught about Charles Darwin, Darwin’s influence and his life? Who inspired the theories of organic evolution? Has Darwinism been an influence in moving us into a “post-Christian” era?

Questions Answered:What have LDS Church leaders taught about Charles Darwin, Darwin’s influence and his life? What kind of man was Charles Darwin? Who inspired the theories of organic evolution? Does the teaching of, or belief in, evolution degrade or demean mankind? Has Darwinism been an influence in moving us into a “post-Christian” era? Commentary Charles […]

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31) ALL BEAR RECORD: Were all of the creations in the universe created for symbols in understanding the Plan of Salvation? Were all things created and made to bear record of the Lord? Why is this contrary to the foundations of Darwinism?

Questions Answered: Were all of the creations in the universe including galaxies, stars, planets, this earth and everything upon it, created for symbols in understanding the Plan of Salvation and the Work of God? Were all things created and made to bear record of the Lord? Why is this contrary to the foundations of Darwinism? […]

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13) 3 BYU PROFESSORS: Why did President Joseph F. Smith dismiss three professors from Brigham Young University for teaching organic evolution?

Associated Locations: BYU, Provo, Utah Associated Dates: 1910 – President Joseph F. Smith dismisses three BYU professors Commentary Please see Boyd K. Packer’s speech that touches heavily on this event. A source for the history on this subject is Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny, compiled by Ernest L. Wilkinson and W. Cleon Skousen or […]

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16) DAVID O. MCKAY: Was President David O. McKay a supporter of the theories of evolution?

Commentary See Gary Shapiro’s excellent blog for additional information on this topic. Also, see Gary Shapiro’s explanation of the famous President David O. McKay letter on evolution. To see President McKay’s feelings toward Joseph Fielding Smith see the FAQ on this subject. Prophetic Statements David O. McKay “Youth need religion to comply properly with the […]

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20) HARMONIZE: Should the Gospel and evolution be harmonized? Are the conflicts between evolution and statements made by the Prophets caused by terminology misuse?

Commentary Can the scientific worldviews of Darwinism or NeoDarwinism be harmonized with the doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Many seem to feel that Darwinian evolution has been proven to be a scientific fact. These are the base assumptions of NeoDarwinism: This FAQ compilation provides statements from presidents of the Church and the standard […]

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37) NATURAL LAWS: Is God the Creator and Origin of the natural laws of the Universe? Can Darwinian theory be harmonized with this doctrine?

Commentary There are two fundamental differing views in regard to the laws of the universe.One view pictures God as learning, and then using the laws of the Universe which already existed.The other conversely teaches that God Created the Laws and then uses those laws to bring to pass His purposes which are the immortality and […]

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39) FACT OF EVOLUTION: Is organic evolution, more recently coined macroevolution, an established fact? Has science proven evolution to be true? Are all credible scientists evolutionists?

Commentary Author: James F. Stoddard III and L. Hannah Stoddard It has become fashionable over the last fifty or so years to refer to evolution as an established fact. This cry has become even more intense in recent years. Many, even at Church schools declare that the debate has ended, the scriptures and prophets have […]

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25) ADAM FATHER: Is the scriptural teaching that Adam is the father of the entire human family problematic for evolutionary teachings?

Commentary Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism teach that life did not originate from two parents 6,000 years ago as the scriptures insist, but that the branches of the human family evolved separately in different areas of the earth over entended periods of time. Evolutionists are generally careful with this information as it has and continues to be […]

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What online science resources are available?

Speeches David A. Bednar “What Is Man, That Thou Art Mindful of Him?” (6-7-2001) Boyd K. Packer The Law and the Light (6-1-1980) Who is Jesus Christ? (Mar 2008) Bruce R. McConkie The Seven Deadly Heresies (6-1-1980) Ezra Taft Benson God’s Hand in our Nations History (3-28-1976) Heber J. Grant Mormon View of Evolution: 1925 […]

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07) WHEN FALL: When did the Fall occur? Why does this matter when considering the theory of evolution? Why is the genealogy from Adam to Christ important to age of the earth discussions?

Commentary For a definitive explanation of what has been taught concerning death before the Fall please see this FAQ and for the age of the earth please see this FAQ. The scriptures and writings of the prophets are very clear that the literal universal Fall occurred in the days of Adam. This poses a serious […]

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15) TALMAGE – WIDTSOE – ROBERTS: Were James E. Talmage, John A. Widtsoe and B. H. Roberts followers of the theories of Darwin?

Commentary In current LDS academic circles Elders James E. Talmage and John A. Widtsoe, former members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often hailed as promoters of Darwinism and modern liberal interpretations of the scriptures. Elder B. H. Roberts, a former member of the […]

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00) Introduction: Science vs. Religion?

Author: James F. Stoddard III What are the Science FAQs? The following contains nearly 40 Frequently Asked Questions often asked and widely debated regarding the theories of organic evolution and the age of the earth as they pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a subject that causes dispute and often uneasiness, but typically […]

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06) PRE-FALL CONDITIONS: Did the Fall introduce reproduction, blood, sin, pain and other mortal conditions? In addition to man, did the Fall affect plants, animals and the earth itself?

Questions Answered: Was there reproduction, blood, sin, pain and other mortal conditions on the earth before the Fall? In addition to man, did the Fall affect plants, animals and the earth itself? Why is the doctrine that Adam was the first flesh upon the earth critical when discussing the fall of man? Commentary The Bible […]

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09) SCRIPTURES: Is Darwinism in conflict with the standard works? Can the revelations of God be trusted? Are there errors in the revelations in regard to science?

Questions Answered: Are the theories of organic evolution in conflict with the standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Can the revelations of God be trusted? Are those who believe in the literal accounts of the scriptures regarding the Creation and Fall wrong? Commentary When the scripture committee of the Church, […]

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