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Patterns of Intelligence
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Chapter 14: The Position of the LDS Church on EvolutionSome people assume the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Latter-Day Saint, LDS or Mormon church) is neutral on the subject of the theory of evolution. Nothing could be further from the truth. The first official publication of the LDS church regarding the theory of evolution was the Book of Mormon, which is a history of the people of the Americas between the time of the Tower of Babel and about 400 years after Christ. The Book of Mormon was written almost entirely in the Americas. In 400 A.D. metal plates which contained the Book of Mormon were buried in the earth for about 1,400 years. The same prophet who buried the gold plates appeared as an angel to the modern prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800s. The Book of Mormon was then translated by this living prophet of God and was first published in 1830 in New York. (Remember, the Book of Mormon was published 29 years before the Origin of Species of Darwin.) One of the main characters in the Book of Mormon was the anti-Christ Korihor (Alma chapter 30). As previously mentioned, Korihor clearly taught the theory of evolution even before Christ was born (Korihor preached about 74 B.C.). The prophet Alma the Younger stated exactly how damaging the theory of evolution was, as taught by Korihor to the people:
This quote explains precisely why there can be no compromise between the LDS church and the theory of evolution: "that [the devil] may destroy the children of God."
Quotes of LDS Church LeadersThere are two different definitions of evolution: "microevolution" and "macroevolution." "Microevolution" has absolutely nothing to do with the theory of evolution. It simply means "variety within species." When microevolution is discussed each animal has the same DNA structure. "Macroevolution," on the other hand, is what the theory of evolution talks about and it refers to the creation of "new species" via highly sophisticated random mutations to DNA which leads to new DNA structures which have new genes and other new features. Even though these two terms have nothing in common, they both include the word "evolution." These two definitions, and more importantly the technical differences between these two definitions, did not become clear until long after the discovery of DNA. In fact, even today most people do not know the technical difference between microevolution and macroevolution. Some quotes by leaders of the LDS church mention scientific support for the theory of evolution. However, very few of the general authorities of the LDS church fully understand how the scientific establishment intentionally blurs the differences between microevolution and macroevolution. "Microevolution" is nothing but "variety within species" and is a true scientific doctrine. However, microevolution has nothing to do with true evolution, which is actually called "macroevolution." "Macroevolution" is a false scientific theory because it requires the creation of new DNA structures by random mutations of DNA. As shown in this book, macroevolution has zero scientific proof to support it. See Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of this book to see a complete discussion of the differences between microevolution and macroevolution and why the scientific establishment intentionally uses deceptive terminology to confuse students and the general public!! Quotes by church leaders which support evolution most likely refer to the scientific evidence that supports microevolution, not macroevolution!! It is doubtful that when these leaders made their statements they clearly understood the difference between microevolution (which is true) and macroevolution (which is false). These quotes are unfortunate, but are very understandable because the scientific establishment, in their zeal to promote evolution, is fanatical about using tricky definitions to deceive the general public in order to push the theory of evolution. I have never heard a church leader, who thoroughly understood the difference between microevolution and macroevolution, clearly state that macroevolution (i.e. a new DNA structure, which contains new genetic information, has been created by random mutations of DNA) is a true scientific doctrine!! One General Authority who clearly understands the difference between microevolution and macroevolution is Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of Twelve. He was a medical doctor before his call into the Twelve. This is what he said about the Big Bang and true evolution (i.e. macroevolution):
Clearly, Elder Nelson does not support macroevolution.
Other Relevant Articles To ReadThe official church document regarding the theory of evolution was published in 1909. This was a First Presidency message. This is an absolutely magnificent discourse of why the church totally refuses to accept the theory of evolution!!! This article was quoted from in the prior chapter. You will never read anything to compare with this inspired statement!! While this document was written long before the discovery of DNA, it is just as relevant today as it was in 1909!! This is amazing by itself!!
To read the official statement of the LDS church on the subject of the theory of evolution, the 1909 statement of the First Presidency, called "The Origin of Man," can be found on this web page:
In addition to the 1909 article, an official booklet issued by the First Presidency in 2004: True to the Faith - A Gospel Reference, while not specifically about evolution, describes church doctrines which are the very antithesis of the doctrines of the theory of evolution (e.g. See topics: Atonement of Jesus Christ; Creation; Fall; God the Father; etc.). This booklet is available on www.lds.org:
There are several other key articles on this website which are relevant to the youth of the church.
The Prophetic Future of the LDS Church (Talk by President Spencer W. Kimball)
Do you want to know the future of the LDS church? A general conference talk by President Spencer W. Kimball provides a clear vision of what the future of the LDS church will be.
The False Gods We Worship (Article by President Spencer W. Kimball)
This classic article by President Spencer W. Kimball explains about the false gods some members of the church (and to some degree all of us) worship. Its lesson applies directly to the youth of the church!!
Beware of the Evil Behind the Smiling Eyes (Talk by Elder Neil L. Anderson)
Many attempts to lead the youth of the church astray are made by those who appear to be harmless or even friendly. This talk by Elder Neil L. Anderson, of the Quorum of the Twelve, is a warning to the youth of the church about those with "smiling eyes" who are not who they claim to be.
Can We Be Forgiven? Yes!! (Talk by Elder Jeffrey L. Holland)
To those who fear they may have sinned beyond the range of the atonement, there is a magnificent message in this general conference talk!!
The Role and Importance of the LDS Church President
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is led by a "living prophet." This article is designed to clarify the role and importance of the President of the LDS church. It is mostly quotes of several prominent church leaders about the role and importance of the LDS church President.
To Learn More About the Mormon or LDS Church
If you are not a member of the Mormon or LDS church, or you are a member but wish to learn more about the church, here is their official website to introduce people to the LDS church:
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