Evolution
has long been a hotly debated and emotional issue—even in the LDS Church where it shouldn’t be. Nothing said here will resolve that debate. However, in this
blog series the purpose is to teach how Mormon doctrine is determined and
settled. By learning to do so, one can navigate the sometimes complicated
nuances of Mormon history and teachings.
Basically, the below quotations
amount to an apostle clarifying a question involving a private letter from a
president of the Church that has caused confusion with some. The lesson to be
learned is to be careful and cautious about determining doctrine; always
remembering to examine the channel that delivers it and the source from which
it comes. In this case the source seems credible at first glance, but the
method of delivery is not definitive.
On a side note, I have noticed that
most in the world and even some in the Church have falsely declared the debate
over with finality, the issue resolved—victorious for evolution. Those so
pronouncing do not speak for the Church and do not determine its doctrine.
On the other hand, I have noticed
that the Ensign magazine reprinted
the document on “The Origin
of Man” in the February 2002 number. Keeping in mind that the Ensign itself has its own complexities
as a channel and source of doctrine, the document included this introduction: “In
the early 1900s, questions concerning the Creation of the earth and the
theories of evolution became the subject of much public discussion. In the
midst of these controversies, the First Presidency issued the following in
1909, which expresses the Church’s doctrinal position on these matters. A
reprinting of this important First Presidency statement will be helpful as
members of the Church study the Old Testament this year.”
One hopes
that most Mormons are wise enough to tell the difference between wording found
in science textbooks, scholarly papers and presentations, media reports, blogs,
and the many other voices that promote and expound the philosophies of men
(sometimes even mingled with scripture), and, those statements of the First
Presidency that are reprinted in the Church’s magazine with an introduction
that says it “expresses the Church’s doctrinal position on these matters.” One
would think this one a no-brainer, but then one sometimes happens on some
opinions expressed in the so-called “bloggernacle/blogosphere” and elsewhere
and then one wonders.
As quoted
from Determining Doctrine:
Boyd K. Packer:
When the
First Presidency speaks, we can safely accept their word. [See D&C
124:45-46].
Twice the
First Presidency has declared the position of the Church on organic evolution. The
first, a statement published in 1909 entitled “The Origin of Man,” was signed
by Presidents Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund. The other,
entitled “‘Mormon’ View of Evolution,” signed by Presidents Heber J. Grant,
Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley, was published in 1929. It follows very
closely the first statement, indeed quotes directly from it. The doctrines in
both statements are consistent and have not changed….
Statements
have been made by other presidents of the Church and members of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles which corroborate these official declarations by the First
Presidency. (Boyd K. Packer, “The Law and the Light,” in Monte S. Nyman and
Charles D. Tate, Jr., The Book of Mormon:
Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy [Provo, Utah: BYU
Religious Studies Center and Bookcraft, 1990], 22-23.)
David O. McKay, President [letterhead]
Professor _______
Dear Brother _______
Your letter
of February 11, 1957
has been received.
On the
subject of organic evolution the Church has officially taken no position. The
book “Man, His Origin and Destiny” was not published by the Church, and is not
approved by the Church.
The book
contains expressions of the author’s views for which he alone is responsible.
Sincerely
your brother,
David O.
McKay
(President)
Boyd K. Packer:
I should
take note of one letter signed by a president of the Church addressed to a
private individual. It includes a sentence which, taken out of context, reads,
“On the subject of organic evolution the church has officially taken no
position.” For some reason the addressee passed this letter about. For years it
has appeared each time this subject is debated.
Letters to
individuals are not the channel for
announcing the policy of the Church. For several important reasons, this letter
itself is not a declaration of the position of the Church, as some have
interpreted it to be. Do not anchor your position on this major issue to that
one sentence! It is in conflict with the two official declarations, each signed
by all members of the First Presidency. (Boyd K. Packer, “The Law and the
Light,” in Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy [Provo,
Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center and Bookcraft, 1990], 23.)
Boyd K. Packer:
It is my conviction
that to the degree the theory of evolution asserts that man is the product of
an evolutionary process, the offspring of animals—it is false! What application
the evolutionary theory has to animals gives me no concern. That is another
question entirely, one to be pursued by science. But remember, the scriptures
speak of the spirit in animals and other living things, and of each multiplying
after its own kind. (D&C 77:2; 2 Nephi 2:22; Moses 3:9; Abraham 4:11-12,
24).
And I am
sorry to say, the so-called theistic evolution, the theory that God used an
evolutionary process to prepare a physical body for the spirit of man, is
equally false. I say I am sorry because I know it is a view commonly held by
good and thoughtful people who search for an acceptable resolution to an
apparent conflict between the theory of evolution and the doctrines of the
gospel.
…The
revelations testify of the separate creation of man in the image of God—this
after the rest of creation was finished. When the revelations do not fully
explain something (and there is purpose in their not doing so), there is safety
in clinging to whatever they do reveal. The creation of man and his
introduction into mortality by the Fall as revealed in the scriptures conform
to eternal laws governing both body
and spirit.
If the
theory of evolution applies to man, there was no Fall and therefore no need for
an atonement, nor a gospel of redemption, nor a redeemer….
These
reasons leave questions yet unanswered. How old is the earth? I do not know! But
I do know that matter is eternal. How long a time has man been upon the earth? I
do not know! But I do know that man did not evolve from animals….
Here we
are, spirit children of God, clothed in flesh, sojourning in mortality for a
season. Know that your body is the instrument of your mind, and the foundation
of your character. Do not mortgage your soul for unproved theories; ask, simply
ask! I have asked, but not how man was created; I have asked if the scriptures
are true. And I have a witness and a testimony. (Boyd K. Packer, “The Law and
the Light,” in Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy [Provo,
Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center and Bookcraft, 1990], 21-22, 24, 26.)
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