by Dennis B. Horne
One could wonder if Elder McConkie might have preferred another stronger title—“The Lord’s Revealed Alternative to the False Theory of Evolution”—for such is how he viewed it. In an Ensign article, he wrote: “The Lord expects us to believe and understand the true doctrine of the Creation—the creation of this earth, of man, and of all forms of life. Indeed, as we shall see, an understanding of the doctrine of creation is essential to salvation. Unless and until we gain a true view of the creation of all things we cannot hope to gain that fulness of eternal reward which otherwise would be ours.”[1]
As he neared the closing years of his life and ministry as an Apostle of the Lord, the three subjects he seemed to give the most attention to in his writings and talks were the creation, the fall, and the atonement of Jesus Christ—what he called “the three pillars of eternity.”