Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements

by William E. Evenson, Duane E. Jeffery

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) has generally been viewed by the public as anti-evolutionary in its doctrine and teachings. But official statements on the subject by the Church’s highest governing quorum and/or president have been considerably more open and diverse than is popularly believed.This book compiles in full all known authoritative statements (either authored or formally approved for publication) by the Church’s highest leaders on the topics of evolution and the origin of human beings. The editors provide historical context for these statements that allows the reader to see what stimulated the issuing of each particular document and how they stand in relation to one another.About the Evenson is a physics professor at Utah Valley University. Previously, his thirty-four year tenure at Brigham Young University included service as dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences;Duane E. Jeffery is a professor of integrative biology at Brigham Young University.

Genres: Lds, History, Nonfiction, Mormonism, Religion

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The core of this book is a collection of documents called the "BYU Evolution Packet". That packet contains statements by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the topics of man's origin and evolution. Most of the statements were released in the early 1900s in the wake of the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species", and few additional statements have been released since. These documents were reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The book also contains an appendix that contains other documents that were published or sanctioned by the First Presidency on this topic.

The editors of the book state clearly in the introduction that the focus of the compilation is to collect into one body the authoritative statements on this topic, not to present a balanced set of quotes from Mormon leaders on this topic.

Any reader of this compilation or student of science and religion should note that while there have been many statements made about the topic of evolution by various LDS Church leaders over the years, only statements from and information published by or sanctioned by the First Presidency represents the Church's official position on this (or any other) topic.

FYI, there is, in my reading, nothing in this book that precludes or directly conflicts scientific observations regarding the biological evolution of the physical human body.

Well worth a look.

5 stars

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains all the official statements (i.e. signed by the First Presidency) from the church on the matter of evolution. It also contains other "authoritative" statements (not signed by the First Presidency, but initiated or authorized by the Quorum of the 12 or First Presidency). The official statements are the same as the BYU packet on evolution, but I found the other statements very insightful. It gives some very interesting insight into how the 12 apostles handled this topic during the turn of the last century. The one thing is that the authors (both professors at BYU) could have included some other statements that could have clarified some aspects of the book. For example, they include a pro-evolution talk by James E. Talmage that was authorized by the 12 in response to a anti-evolution talk by Joseph Fielding Smith. Since the Talmage talk was authorized by the 12, it was included in the book, while the Smith talk was not. It would have been nice to have the Smith talk also.

[David J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

…And the final word on the LDS Church’s official position on the evolution of man is…there is no official position on the evolution of man. Actually I prefer it this way.

The compiler of this small book dug up a number of articles, statements, and internal memorandums on the subject. The general conclusion is that neither ancient nor modern revelation have approved or rejected the theory of evolution as it pertains to the creation of man’s body.

What the church seems to make clear in almost every publication is that how the human body and form were created is a question for science, not theology.

[Kole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book that helps one to understand how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views evolution. The author, William E. Evenson, has compiled, taken also from a BYU packet on evolution, authoritative LDS statements that help the reader understand the Church's view and stance on evolution. Through a reading of this book you will come to know what the Church regards as doctrine and what they don't regard as doctrine concerning evolution.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a narrative, this is a collection of statements made by church leaders and compiled at BYU. In a lot of them they quote the previous one so it gets really repetitive. The basic takeaway is that we don't know everything there is to know about the history of the human race, so study up on it if you want, but don't fight about it because we don't know how everything fits together. "We believe God has yet to reveal many great and important things", after all.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the different perspectives of various apostles/general authorities.

"Diversity of opinion does not necessitate intolerance of spirit, nor should it embitter or set rational beings against each other. The Christ taught kindness, patience, and charity." - The First Presidency, Dec. 12,1910.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it... it's a good one

[Nick Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has excellent discussion of what is doctrine and what is not in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding evolution. Basically all we know is that Adam is our primal parent.

[Charity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short read and some parts are repeated in later sections of the book. Not any new information on the topic than I had already known or thought about myself.

[Kip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Authoritative statements on doctrinal views about evolution, plus other material that tend to support evolution. Does not contain material of those who strongly oppose it as a possibility.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, Precise, Objective in Purpose and Content

Likes:
• I sooo appreciate and am drawn to precision in search of truth and understanding. This work is a manifestation of that same desire for precision in the search for truth.
• I love a faith / religion which allows for personal inquiry, hypothesis, opinion, and revelation while also seeking and setting forth clearly truth as revealed by God for all humankind.
• I love how contemporary works attempt to and typically indeed honor historically accurate phenomenon and events. It’s delightful to live in a day with access and regard for truth in information.

Dislikes:
None.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the title says it is, and for that, maybe deserves more than the three stars I gave it. It's good to have the authoritative statements by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on the subject of evolution, all in one place. As such, it is a dry read. My takeaway, is that we believe in Adam and Eve, the Fall of man, the redemption of Christ, and that we are the children of God. There is much we don't know about harmonizing those beliefs with the findings of science. Study science anyway.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful, for what it is. A collection of statements (because there is no ONE official document) by church leaders re evolution. Bottom line...science and theology can complement one another and we just don’t know a lot. I love that David O. McKay once referred to evolution as a “beautiful theory” in a talk given at BYU.