Mormonism and evolution

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church or LDS Church) takes no official position on whether or not biological evolution has occurred, or on the validity of the modern evolutionary synthesis as a scientific theory. However, throughout the 20th century, individual leaders of the LDS Church expressed a variety of opinions on evolution, many of which have affected the beliefs and perceptions of Latter-day Saints.

Official church doctrine

Although the LDS Church has no position on evolution, it has produced a number of official doctrinal statements on the "origin of man". These statements generally adopt the position, as a church-approved encyclopedia [William E. Evenson and Duane E. Jeffrey (2005). "Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books) p. 35 states that the entry on evolution in the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" was approved by Apostles Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks.] states, " [t] he scriptures tell why man was created, but they do not tell how, though the Lord has promised that he will tell that when he comes again".William E. Evenson, [http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=3666&filename=3667.pdf "Evolution"] in Daniel H. Ludlow (ed.) (1992). "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" (New York: Macmillan) 2:478.]

In 1909, the First Presidency issued the church's first official statement on the origin of man. In this statement, the First Presidency stated:

"It is held by some that Adam was not the first man upon this earth, and that the original human being was a development from lower orders of the animal creation. These, however, are the theories of men. The word of the Lord declares that Adam was "the first man of all men" (Moses 1:34), and we are therefore in duty bound to regard him as the primal parent of our race." [First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund), "The Origin of Man", "Improvement Era" 13:75–81 (Nov. 1909).]

In its 1910 Christmas message, the First Presidency made reference to the church's position on science:

"Diversity of opinion does not necessitate intolerance of spirit, nor should it embitter or set rational beings against each other. ... Our religion is not hostile to real science. That which is demonstrated, we accept with joy; but vain philosophy, human theory and mere speculations of men, we do not accept nor do we adopt anything contrary to divine revelation or to good common sense." [First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund), "Words in Season from the First Presidency", "Deseret Evening News", 1910-12-17, sec. 1, p. 3.]

In 1925, in the midst of the Scopes Trial in Tennessee, a new First Presidency issued an official statement which reaffirmed the doctrine that Adam was the first man upon the earth and that he was created in the image of God. [First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, Charles W. Nibley), "'Mormon' View of Evolution", "Deseret News", 1925-07-18, reprinted in "Improvement Era" 28:1090–1091 (Sep. 1925).] Apart from a short article in the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" which is largely composed of quotes from the 1909 and 1925 statements, the LDS Church has not issued an official statement on evolution since 1925.William E. Evenson and Duane E. Jeffrey (2005). "Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books) ISBN 1589580931.]

Unofficial teachings of leaders

Individual leaders of the LDS Church have expressed a variety of opinions on biological evolution.

Roberts–Smith–Talmage dispute

In 1930, B. H. Roberts, the presiding member of the First Council of the Seventy, was assigned by the First Presidency to create a study manual for the Melchizedek priestood holders of the church.Richard Sherlock, [http://content.lib.utah.edu/u?/dialogue,5329 "'We Can See No Advantage to a Continuation of the Discussion': The Roberts/Smith/Talmage Affair,"] ' 13"'(3):63–78 (Fall 1980).] Entitled "The Truth, The Way, The Life", the draft of the manual that was submitted to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for approval stated that death had been occurring on earth for millions of years prior to the fall of Adam and that human-like pre-Adamites had lived on the earth. [B. H. Roberts (John W. Welch ed.) (1996, 2d ed.) "The Way, The Truth, The Life: An Elementary Treatise on Theology" (Provo Utah: BYU Studies).]

On 5 April 1930, Joseph Fielding Smith, a junior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the son of a late church president, "vigorously promulgated [the] opposite point of view" in a speech that was published in a church magazine. [Joseph Fielding Smith, "Faith Leads to a Fulness of Truth and Righteousness", "Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine" 21:145–158 (Oct. 1930).] In his widely-read speech, Smith taught as doctrine that there had been no death on earth until after the fall of Adam and that there were no "pre-Adamites".

In 1931, both Roberts and Smith were permitted to present their views to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. After hearing both sides, the First Presidency issued a memo to the general authorities of the church which stated:

"Upon the fundamental doctrines of the Church we are all agreed. Our mission is to bear the message of the restored gospel to the people of the world. Leave Geology, Biology, Archaeology, and Anthropology, no one of which has to do with the salvation of the souls of mankind, to scientific research .... We can see no advantage to be gained by a continuation of the discussion ... but on the contrary are certain it would lead to confusion, division and misunderstanding if carried further. Upon one thing we should all be able to agree, namely, that Presidents Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund were right when they said: 'Adam is the primal parent of our race.'" [First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, Charles W. Nibley), "Memo from the First Presidency to the Council of the Twelve, the First Council of Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric", 1931-04-05; reprinted in William E. Evenson and Duane E. Jeffrey (2005). "Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books) pp. 54–67.]

Another of the apostles, geologist James E. Talmage, pointed out that Smith's views could be misinterpreted as the church's official position, since Smith's views were widely circulated but Roberts's views were limited to an internal church document. As a result, the First Presidency gave permission to Talmage to give a speech promoting views that were contrary to Smith's. In his speech on 1931-08-09 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, Talmage taught the same principles that Roberts had originally outlined in his draft manual. [James E. Talmage, "The Earth and Man", "Deseret News", 1931-11-21; reprinted in pamphlet form by the LDS Church in 1931.] Over Smith's objections, the First Presidency authorized a church publication of Talmage's speech in pamphlet form. In 1965, Talmage's speech was reprinted again by the LDS Church in an official church magazine. [James E. Talmage, "The Earth and Man", "Instructor" 100:474–477 (Dec. 1965).]

Roberts' "The Truth, The Way, The Life" was not published until 1994. [Tim S. Reid (1997). "Mormons and evolution: A history of B. H. Roberts and his attempt to reconcile science and religion," Ph.D. dissertation, Oregon State University.]

"Man, His Origin and Destiny"

In 1954, when he was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Smith wrote at length about his views on evolution in his book "Man, His Origin and Destiny". [Joseph Fielding Smith (1954). "Man, His Origin and Destiny" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book).] In response to an inquiry about the book from the head of the Geology Department at Brigham Young University, church president David O. McKay affirmed that "the Church has officially taken no position" on evolution and that Smith's book "is not approved by the Church" and that the book is composed entirely of Smith's "views for which he alone is responsible". [Letter from David O. McKay to William Lee Stokes, 1957-02-15, reprinted in William Lee Stokes, [http://content.lib.utah.edu/u?/dialogue,2039 "An Official Position"] , ' 12"'(4):90–92 at [http://content.lib.utah.edu/u?/dialogue,2040 p. 91] .]

Bruce R. McConkie

In his popular and controversial reference book "Mormon Doctrine", general authority Bruce R. McConkie devoted ten pages to his entry on "Evolution". [Bruce R. McConkie (1966, 2d ed.). "Mormon Doctrine" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft) pp. 247–256.] After canvassing statements of past church leaders, the Standard Works, and the 1909 First Presidency statement, McConkie concluded that "There is no harmony between the truths of revealed religion and the theories of organic evolution."Bruce R. McConkie (1966, 2d ed.). "Mormon Doctrine" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft) p. 256 [emphasis in original] .] The evolution entry in "Mormon Doctrine" quotes extensively from Joseph Fielding Smith's "Man, His Origin and Destiny". [McConkie was Smith's son-in-law and the two had largely compatible doctrinal views.] McConkie characterized those Latter-day Saints who believe in evolution as having a "weak and puerile" intellect.

tatements of presidents of the church

John Taylor

John Taylor was the first president of the LDS Church to comment on Darwinian theory. In his 1882 book "Mediation and Atonement", Taylor stated:

"The animal and vegetable creations are governed by certain laws, and are composed of certain elements peculiar to themselves. This applies to man, to the beasts, fowls, fish and creeping things, to the insects and to all animated nature .... These principles do not change, as represented by evolutionists of the Darwinian school, but the primitive organisms of all living beings exist in the same form as when they first received their impress from the Maker. ... [Man] did not originate from a chaotic mass of matter, moving or inert, but came forth possessing, in an embryonic state, all the faculties and powers of a God." [John Taylor (1882). [http://www.kristus.dk/jkk/text.php?id=74100 "An Examination Into and an Elucidation of the Great Principle of the Mediation and Atonement of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"] (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News) [http://www.kristus.dk/jkk/text.php?id=74123 p. 160] .]

David O. McKay

In a 1952 speech to students at Brigham Young University, church president David O. McKay stated:

"There is a perpetual design permeating all purposes of creation. ... [E] volution's beautiful theory of the creation of the world offers many perplexing problems to the inquiring mind. Inevitably, a teacher who denies divine agency in creation, who insists there is no intelligent purpose in it, will infect the student with the thought that all may be chance. I say, that no youth should be so led without a counterbalancing thought." [David O. McKay, "A Message for L.D.S. College Youth", 1952-10-08, printed in "1952 BYU Speeches of the Year" (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University) pp. 5–6.]

In the April 1968 church general conference, McKay's son David Lawrence McKay read a message on his father's behalf that was an edited version of the 1952 speech. [David O. McKay, [http://search.ldslibrary.com/article/view/91020 "Conference Report", Apr. 1968, p. 92] . Among other changes, the word "beautiful" is omitted in the 1968 version.]

pencer W. Kimball

At a 1975 church women's conference, church president Spencer W. Kimball stated that "we don't know exactly how [Adam and Eve's] coming into this world happened, and when we're able to understand it the Lord will tell us." [Spencer W. Kimball, [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=67acfd758096b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “The Blessings and Responsibilities of Womanhood,”] "Ensign", Mar. 1976, pp. 70–72.]

Gordon B. Hinckley

In a 1997 speech at an Institute of Religion in Ogden, Utah, church president Gordon B. Hinckley said:

People ask me every now and again if I believe in evolution. I tell them I am not concerned with organic evolution. I do not worry about it. I passed through that argument long ago. [Gordon B. Hinckley, 1997-04-15, reprinted in Gordon B. Hinckley (1999). "Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, Volume 1: 1995-1999" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book) p. 379.]

In the late 1990s, Hinckley recalled his university studies of evolution to reporter Larry A. Witham: "'Studied all about it. Didn't worry me then. Doesn't worry me now.'" [Quoted in Larry A. Witham (2002). "Where Darwin Meets the Bible: Creationists and Evolutionists in America" (New York: Oxford University Press) p. 177.] In 2004, an official church magazine printed a quote from Hinckley from a 1983 speech where he expressed a similar sentiment. [Gordon B. Hinckley, Salt Lake Institute of Religion speech, 1983-11-05, first printed as Gordon B. Hinckley, [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=66a205481ae6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “‘God Hath Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear’,”] "Ensign", Oct. 1984, pp. 2–6, quoted in [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d74985f10e6fb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “My Answer to Evolution,”] "New Era", May 2004, pp. 36–37.]

ee also

* Relationship between religion and science
* Evolution and the Roman Catholic Church
* Jainism and non-creationism
* Jewish views on evolution
* Hindu views on evolution

Notes