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 has attempted to create harmony between evolutionary scientific speculations and the teachings of the Gospel, often making doctrinal assertions not sufficiently supported. At times gospel research has comprised a few statements, typically made out of context, leaving the reader to draw faulty conclusions. This compilation consists of several hundred pages of statements made by the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly those who became president of the Church.
- 00) Introduction: Science vs. Religion?
- 01) ACCOUNTABLE: Does what a person believes about organic evolution influence the way he/she lives? Will those who promote the theories of organic evolution stand accountable before God?
- 02) OFFICIAL POSITION: Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have an official position regarding the theory of organic evolution?
- 03) AFTER KIND: What do the revelations teach concerning animals reproducing after their kind? What has been taught about the law of adaptation and the more recently coined term microevolution?
- 04) RECENT: Have Church authorities made comments on the theory of organic evolution in recent years? Has the Church changed its position? Are we embarrassed by the statements made by early leaders and the scriptures?
- 05) DEATH BEFORE FALL: Was there death on earth prior to the Fall? Has the Church changed its position on this?
- 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?
- 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?
- 08) CONFLICTING PRESIDENTS: Are there many conflicting opinions with diversity of viewpoint among the previous presidents of the Church on the theory of organic evolution? Have some spoken for, some against and others in between?
- 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?
- 10) 1910 MESSAGE: Was there a 1910 First Presidency Message that taught that man may have evolved?
- 11) ADAM’S FATHER: Who was the father of Adam? Do we have a Royal heritage?
- 12) DESTROY FAITH: Does teaching the words of Latter-Day prophets on the subject of organic evolution destroy faith? Does teaching the doctrines contained in the scriptures concerning the age of the earth destroy faith?
- 13) 3 BYU PROFESSORS: Why did President Joseph F. Smith dismiss three professors from Brigham Young University for teaching organic evolution?
- 14) BYU’S PURPOSE: Was Brigham Young University established to refute the theories of Darwinism?
- 15) TALMAGE – WIDTSOE – ROBERTS: Were James E. Talmage, John A. Widtsoe and B. H. Roberts followers of the theories of Darwin?
- 16) DAVID O. MCKAY: Was President David O. McKay a supporter of the theories of evolution?
- 17) CONTENTION: Should the discussion of evolution be let alone to avoid contention? Should we defend the Prophets and Scripture?
- 18) CREATIONISM: How should Latter-day Saints view Creationism? Should Latter-Day Saints understand the Creation account literally?
- 19) INTELLIGENT DESIGN: How should Latter-day Saints view Intelligent Design? Is there evidence of God in His creations?
- 20) HARMONIZE: Should the Gospel and evolution be harmonized? Are the conflicts between evolution and statements made by the Prophets caused by terminology misuse?
- 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?
- 22) JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH: Should President Joseph Fielding Smith’s position on organic evolution be taken seriously?
- 23) PRE-ADAMITES: Were there “pre-Adamites” or pre-human beings prior to Adam being placed upon the earth? Was Adam a cave-man? Are the world’s teachings about how language and civilization progressed accurate?
- 24) MORMONISM AND EVOLUTION: Is the book Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements authoritative?
- 25) ADAM FATHER: Is the scriptural teaching that Adam is the father of the entire human family problematic for evolutionary teachings?
- 26) PATRIARCH AGES: Are the long life-spans of the patriarchs true doctrine? What does this mean for the theory of Darwinian evolution?
- 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?
- 28) YOUNG EARTH: Do the revelations teach a 7,000 year temporal existence of the earth? Can the scriptures and writings of the presidents of the church be harmonized with the scientific principle of Uniformitarianism?
- 29) LITERAL FLOOD: Does LDS doctrine support a literal universal flood? What does this mean for the theory of Darwinian evolution?
- 30) PELEG: Was the earth (continents) divided in the days of Peleg? What does this mean for the theory of evolution?
- 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?
- 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?
- 33) HISTORY REVEALED: Has the history of the earth ever been revealed? What does this mean for the theory of evolution?
- 34) ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE: Did the ancient prophets know more concerning astronomy than modern science?
- 35) ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MORMONISM: Is the Encyclopedia of Mormonism article on evolution authoritative?
- 36) OPPOSING WORLD VIEWS: How does a providential world view differ from an evolutionary world view? Which view should be taken by Latter-day Saints?
- 37) NATURAL LAWS: Is God the Creator and Origin of the natural laws of the Universe? Can Darwinian theory be harmonized with this doctrine?
- 38) DESTROY FAITH: Does a belief in theory of organic evolution negatively influence faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Can a person have sound understanding of the atonement and fall and at the same time believe in the theories of organic evolution?
- 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?
- 40) CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS: Which great scientists were followers of Jesus Christ?
- Do animals have souls? Is man the only being that has a spirit?
- What online science resources are available?
