Joseph Smith as Scientist

by John A. Widtsoe

Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, did not use the language of science; which is evidence that he did not know the science of his day. Yet, by a series of comparisons, this book will show that in 1833, or soon after, the teachings of Joseph Smith were in full harmony with the most advanced scientific thought and that he anticipated the world of science in the statement of fundamental facts and theories of physics, chemistry, astronomy and biology.

Genres: Religion, Science, Lds, Mormonism, Biography, Theology, Spirituality

162 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1908

About the author

John Andreas Widtsoe (31 January 1872 – 29 November 1952) was a Norwegian-American scientist, author, and religious leader who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1921 until his death in 1952.

Reviews

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread: 1/2024. Having taken multiple college level science classes in the last several years I found this even more fascinating than my original read many years ago. The commentary is outdated with so much advancement in science but the arguments are sound.

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Joseph Smith as Scientist: A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy by John A. Widtsoe is a great read to consider in your family. Elder Widtsoe discusses the basic principles of science and then quotes Joseph Smith and his teachings. Some of the subjects treated include: matter, energy, ether, astronomy, geological record, the sixth sense and evolution. This book will challenge you, but it will also increase your comprehension of what God has done for us.

I found the subject matter informative and very helpful. I think it would be an important book for scholar youth. It proves again that the scriptures truly do contain all subject matter and we can find ultimate truth by searching the scriptures. Elder Widtsoe points out that these teachings found in the scriptures from Joseph Smith were not known or accepted scientific laws at the time. It was only later that science came to "discover" them. The reader is also left with convincing "proof" in a temporal standpoint that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet.

The original chapters in the book appeared in installments in the Improvement Era in 1903-1904. In 1908 Elder Widtsoe had it published after a committee appointed by the First Presidency read the manuscript. That committee was Elders George Albert Smith, Edward H. Anderson and Joseph F. Smith, Jr. The point being that you can't get more official and authentic than The Improvement Era and approval from two future prophets.

In reading this book I felt that I was furthering my garnering of information about the History of Relief Society. This information was known and published among the Saints. With the revival of studying not only the History of the Relief Society but also the History of the Church I think we will gain some essential information needed to raise our children and to prepare for the Second Coming.

This book is available from Archive Publishers. The address is 754 East 50 North, Heber City, UT 84032. The phone number is 435.654.0824. The website listed is http://www.archivepublishers.com/ .

[Fiver · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book may be well-meant, but I simply can't recommend it on that count alone.

"Joseph Smith as Scientist" may have worked if the author was trying to point out how religious principles often mimic the more important scientific discoveries. However, this is a far cry from trying to reconcile science and religion, or suggest that Joseph Smith's quotations should be taken in a scientific sense, rather than a spiritual one. I give this book one star because I feel strongly that taking spiritual quotations and matching them to scientific discoveries is, well, misguided. When Christ says "Ye are the salt of the earth," I think it improper to excitedly point to the amount of sodium in our bodies. When the Bible says "Faith is the evidence of things not seen," the idea that this is a reference to atomic particles seems to lessen the spiritual value.

Altogether, as I read this book I couldn't help but feel that somebody was switching the labels. That is to say, I feel that Joseph Smith certainly did not think of himself as a scientist, and did not want others to think of him this way. He did not intend scientific discoveries to be tested against his teachings, nor the other way around.

[Kevin Mangum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great attempt to unite religion and science

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written sometime in the first half of the 20th century and some of the scientific knowledge it discusses has changed. (I am not an expert here, so I am not sure what all has advanced since it was written, but I know I have never heard of "universal ether."). However, I did not feel that it changed the premise of the book or the conclusion that much of what is believed in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is congruent with scientific knowledge. It was very interesting.

[Clayton Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written with the conviction there is no difference between science and religion. The fundamental laws of the universe are foundations in both science and religion. The principle that matter is indestructible belongs as much to theology as to geology.

Are you or someone you know struggling with faith? Have you ever wondered how science and religion will reconcile? Try this book.

[Fabrizio Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up in a used bookstore in Utah a few years ago and just read it recently. The author, Elder John A Widstoe was so ahead of his time, as was Joseph Smith. There is some really great insight into how Joseph Smith, even though not schooled in the traditional sense, got his knowledge from.
A great read for who want to know more about the eternal truth...
Highly recommended!

[Alvaro Lainez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great mediation from John Widtose. The reason I gave it only 3 stars is due to the general problem of trying to reconcile theology and science, and it’s not that they are opposed (which Widtose does a great job showing) is that they are just in separate realms and trying to connect them is very difficult.

I do love how Widtose admits that scripture comes through prophets according to their language and understanding (cultural and verbal).

That is why the Old Testament teaches a flat earth and 6 day creation narrative. The restoration scriptures came from an uneducated farm boy in the 19th century. So it is more likely to be more accurate with modern scientific truths. (Widtose doesn’t say that but that’s what I believe)

The problem: science is always changing and this book does not age great. The theory of ether is heavily relied upon throughout the book. This was around the time of Einstein so no theory of relativity mentioned and of course no quantum physics.

If this book was rewritten today I have no doubt that there would be a connection between intelligences and quantum theory.

Though not flat out admitting to the theory of human evolution I appreciate Widtose’s efforts to try to show how evolution in theory is a true principle.

Outdated book (as any old science books are) but a thoughtful attempt at looking at the two fields that are theology and science.

[Cameron · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this as the concept is interesting. But, it reminds me of when I had to write a critical literature review in college and, because I had chosen Marxist theory, EVERYTHING I read had to be about class struggle. We are shoving a lot of square pegs into round holes here by approaching the teachings of Joseph Smith as if they were ALWAYS scientific. There are some interesting ideas presented, as well as some very outdated scientific theories presented as established fact, but a lot in here requires a lot of suspended disbelief—which is likely not the idea in a religious study.

[Caleb Stott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a surprising fact that a young man of twenty eight, who had no educational advantages of schooling, or reading, or society, should state clearly and correctly known laws of science; but it is marvelous that he should state fundamental laws that the workers in science did but discover until many years later. Every honest man, be he friend or enemy, must marvel and ask, “whence did this man derive his knowledge.”

“Only untruth needs to hide itself in mysteries.”

John Widtsoe

[Jared Willden]

An interesting take. A little dated, but fun to think about.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't believe a word written about this Mormon.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant synthesis of science and faith that has aged remarkably well. Its discussion of the nature of intelligence and reconciliation of a very strongly materialistic viewpoint with religion are particularly valuable. This is a book that I expect to re-read periodically.

It offers a somewhat unusual defense of Joseph Smith by discussing how various fundamental scientific principles are integral to his thought (everything is matter, conservation of matter, universe fundamentally ruled by law), but would be very unlikely to be there had he relied on the limited science of his time. Very faith-promoting.

Widtsoe's scientific vocabulary dates him, but a reader with a reasonable scientific background out to easily be able to substitute modern terms, and the arguments are still valuable.

[Loni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting reconciliation of science to the beliefs held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some sections I felt were wanting in order to address modern concerns. Some ideas were new, interesting and surprisingly, in perfect accordance with todays scientific theories. I wish I more familiar with modern scientific theory and how it compares to some of the theories discussed within the book which was written over one hundred years ago.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this book strove to supply concrete answers to the types of religious questions that are typically answered with "does that really matter in the grand scheme of things?" Well, yes. Sometimes I am curious and that type of answer feels like a cop-out.

While some of the authors ideas seem like a stretch, I was interested throughout and learned a few new things.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. John A Widstoe is a very good writer and scientist. He shed light on some aspects of Joseph Smith's teachings that were remarkable as far as science is concerned. Delightful read.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. “A CONTRIBUTION TO MORMON PHILOSOPHY BY John A. Widtsoe, A. M., Ph. D. THE GENERAL BOARD YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 1908.”