Ryan Reeder
Biology 100H
6 March 1998
Early this semester, I wrote a paper describing how I felt about the theory of evolution. In this paper I stated that although this theory "does bring up some good points, much of its philosophy. . .is flawed." I attributed this to the basic premise of the scientific method of making discoveries through trial and error, while the revealed word of God, in its purity, contains no such error. I concluded that when these two are in conflict, I prefer the latter over the former.
During this semester, through studying what man has learned about evolution, my opinion on this matter has not changed. I have gained a greater understanding of the details of various aspects of this theory; I know the difference between stabilizing, directional, and disruptive selection, and can agree with parts. Earlier I said that "I accept some aspects of this theory." Now I can attach names to those aspects. Yet my feelings toward evolution as a whole have not altered.
There are a few areas in the text that mention the revolution that evolution introduced into modern thought. On page 148-149, it claims that Christianity's idea of a perfect creation and stability in species had its basis in Platonic and Aristotelian scientific thought. Yes, there was a divine creation, which God pronounced as "very good" (Genesis 1:31). However, in order for man to progress, a fall was also required. Through the fall, death entered the world. Without death, there could be no change. However, after Adam, such change could occur.
Another discrepancy that the text points out is the lack of support for distribution patterns from Noah's Ark. However, shortly after the flood, "the Lord scattered [man] abroad upon the face of all the earth," at the confounding of tongues at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:9). After that, in the days of Peleg, the earth was divided (Genesis 10:25). I believe that this could explain, for example, why kangaroos are only indigenous to Australia.
In addition to these two, I also feel that there are some serious flaws with Charles Lyell's theory of uniformitarianism, upon which much of evolution is based.
Joseph Smith once was asked how he maintained order among so many thousands of members of the church. He responded, "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves." This is how the church operates today. Very rarely will the leaders of the church teach a specific application of a principle or doctrine. (One example would be the admonition to not shop on Sunday-an application of the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy). A packet is available in 271 JSB containing all that the Brethren have said that can directly be construed as dealing with evolution. It's about 4-5 pages in length. My point is, and here I conclude my paper, that we have a responsibility to learn and synthesize material for ourselves, according to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If a theory is incompatible with these principles, it should be rejected; however, most knowledge, including evolution, should be examined, even prayed about, and accepted as it concords with Truth.