Chapter 25

What Is the Origin of Life on Earth?

This question has occupied the best minds since the beginning of human history. The answer has not yet been found in the halls of science.

From the earliest time, many men of sound thought have believed in the spontaneous generation of life. Aristotle (384-322 B. C.), for example, taught that decaying matter, under the influence of moisture and the sun’s heat, will produce living things. He even went so far as to teach that the higher forms of life were spontaneously generated. St. Augustine (354-430 A. D.), made the doctrine one of the church. His reasoning was simple: As the Lord could make wine from water, so life could be made from the soil and water and air of earth. In his opinion, spontaneous generation was but a manifestation of the will of God. Even such minds as that of Newton (1643-1727), could see no inconsistency in the doctrine. Up to the middle of the last century, the doctrine was very generally accepted.

However, as the more exact methods of science were developed, doubt was cast upon the theory. For example, van Helmont, great scientist as he was, had explained that dirty linen, mixed with grain, would, in 21 days, produce mice. Subjected to scientific scrutiny, the folly of this formula was revealed.

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Chapter 24

How Did the Earth Come into Being?

The earth came into being by the will and power of God. Upon that proposition the accepted scriptures of the Church and their authoritative interpretations agree. Chance is ruled out. Latter-day Saints believe that the earth and the heavens and the manifold operations within the universe are products of intelligent action, of the mind of God. There is nothing haphazard about the universe in which we live. (See Genesis 1:1; Moses 2:1; Abraham 4:1; Doc. and Cov. 93:9.)

This doctrine is set forth in eloquent words in modern revelation.

“And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, Moses cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the Spirit of God.

“And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof and there was not a sou1 which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.

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Chapter 23

How Old Is the Earth?

This is an ancient question which has occasioned much controversy. There are at least three prevailing answers among faithful Bible-believing Latter-day Saints. The fact appears to be that no man knows the age of the earth.

The first group believe that the earth was created in six days of twenty-four hours each. That is, the earth was six days old at the coming of Adam. This view is based upon the literal acceptance of the story of creation as given in King James’ translation of Genesis. (Gen., Chapter 1; Exodus 20:11.) According to this belief there was a succession of sudden or catastrophic creative events during this short period of time which led to the formation of the earth. The catastrophists contend that the Lord is able through His divine power, if He so desires, to form an earth or many earths in short moments of time. They also quote the words of Moses, as revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, which follow closely the wording of King James’ translation. (Pearl of Great Price, Moses, 2:1-31.)

The second group hold that each day of creation was really one thousand years, and that the earth therefore was six thousand years old at the coming of Adam. Those who uphold this view quote as their support the statement of the Apostle Peter, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter, 3:8.) In defense of this view the statement made by Abraham is also quoted: “The Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest. This is the reckoning of the Lord’s time according to the reckoning of Kolob.” (Pearl of Great Price, Abraham, 3:4.)

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Chapter 22

Is it Wrong to Doubt?

Doubt usually means uncertainty. You doubt the presence of gold in the ore, though there are yellow flakes in it; or that the man is a thief, though stolen goods are found in his possession; or that a principle of the Gospel is correctly interpreted by the speaker. What you really mean is that the evidence in your possession is insufficient to convince you that there is gold in the ore, or that the man is a thief, or that the Gospel principle has been explained correctly. Doubt arises from lack of evidence.

Intelligent people cannot long endure such doubt. It must be resolved. Proof must be secured of the presence of gold in the ore, or the dishonesty of the man, or the correctness of the doctrinal exposition. Consequently, we set about to remove doubt by gathering information and making tests concerning the subject in question. Doubt then becomes converted into an inquiry or investigation.

After proper inquiries, using all the powers at our command, the truth concerning the subject becomes known, or remains unknown to be unraveled perhaps at some future time. The weight of evidence is on one side or the other. Doubt, therefore, can be and should be only a temporary condition. Certainly, a question cannot forever be suspended between heaven and earth; it is either answered or unanswered. As the result of an inquiry appear, doubt must flee.

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CHAPTER 21

What Is the Attitude of the Church Toward Science?

This question, frequently asked, is readily answered.

The Church, the custodian of the Gospel on earth, looks with full favor upon the attempts of men to search out the facts and laws of nature. It believes that men of science, seekers after truth, are often assisted by the spirit of the Lord in such researches, indeed, whenever they appeal to the Lord for help, it holds further that every scientific discovery may be incorporated into the Gospel, and that, therefore, there can be no conflict between true religion and correct science. The Church teaches that the laws of nature are but the immutable laws of the Creator of the universe.

This view has been held consistently by the Latter-day Saints from the organization of the Church. A revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1832, when science was yet in its swaddling clothes, declares, “And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the Gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries, and of kingdoms – And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 88, Verses 77, 78, 79, and 118.)

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Chapter 20

How Do You Account for Gospel Resemblances in Non-Christian Religions?

The great world religions have much in common. Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroasterism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Mohammedanism hold to some tenets fundamental in Christianity. They all believe in an overruling power, God, in man’s immortality in some form, and a divine plan for the guidance of man to happiness. All of them recognize that growth and progress come through self-effort, by self-control and self-discipline. The brotherhood of man, cooperation, and the golden rule, are generally accepted as obligatory upon all men. These doctrines are impressively similar to those of Christianity. (See H. M. Woodward, Humanity’s Greatest Need.)

There is a like similarity, though not so marked, in the practices or ordinances of the religions of earth. For example, baptism, the initiatory Christian ordinance, is not peculiar to the Christian Church. In some form it is practiced by many non-Christian communities. In fact, the doctrine of entering through water into a new life is widespread. Moreover, a practice equivalent to baptism is very old. Among the Hebrews it was practiced long before the days of Christ. In ancient Egypt, a corresponding rite was in operation from days immemorial. Other gospel practices likewise appear in other non-Christian religions. (See, Encyclopedia Britannica, Art. Baptism.)

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Chapter 19

What Are the Facts Concerning the Adam-God Myth, So Frequently Mentioned by Enemies of the Church?

Those who peddle the well-worn Adam-God myth, usually charge the Latter-day Saints with believing that: 1. Our Father in Heaven, the Supreme God, to whom we pray, is Adam, the first man; and 2. Adam was the father of Jesus Christ. A long series of absurd and false deductions are made from these propositions.

Those who spread this untruth about the Latter-day Saints go back for authority to a sermon delivered by President Brigham Young “in the tabernacle. Great Salt Lake City, April 9th, 1852” (Journal of Discourses , Volume 1, page 50.) Certain statements there made are confusing if read superficially, but very clear if read with their context. Enemies of President Brigham Young and of the Church have taken advantage of the opportunity and have used these statements repeatedly and widely to do injury to the reputation of President Young and the Mormon people. An honest reading of this sermon and of other reported discourses of President Brigham Young proves that the great second President of the Church held no such views as have been put into his mouth in the form of the Adam-God myth.

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Chapter 18

Where Are the Lost Tribes of Israel?

In the field of historical speculation, few themes have been more assiduously theorized about than the location of the lost tribes of Israel. The voluminous literature concerning the subject, “proves” that the tribes may be in any land under the sun, according to the theory accepted. In our Church, several books on the subject, presenting differing views, have been written by thoughtful, honest men. Fortunately, so far as human happiness here or hereafter is concerned, it matters not a whit where they are located. Unfortunately, some brethren have entangled the subject with the theology of the Gospel to their own discomfiture.

Throughout its long history as one nation, the Hebrews had been in almost continuous warfare with neighboring people; and indeed the people of the valley of the Euphrates on the east, and of Egypt on the south and west, mighty nations, had paid their warlike respects to the children of Abraham. Wars and warfare form a large part of the history of united Israel. Only under David and Solomon was the kingdom made into an empire strong enough to dictate terms to weaker neighbors and engender wholesome respect among larger powers.

After the death of Solomon, the divided kingdoms, divided also in strength, were subject to similar warfare. Invasion followed invasion; the larger powers to the East, viewing Palestine as a strategically important corridor to Egypt, descended, with powerful armies upon the now petty kingdoms. The southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel became little more than vassals to Babylonian powers.

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Chapter 17C

In the Event of the Death of the President of the Church, the Council of Twelve Apostles Takes Over the Presidency of the Church.

Does this Council Possess the Necessary Power? Can This Practice Be Confirmed by Revelation?

The answer to both questions is yes.

The Twelve Apostles “form a quorum, equal in authority and power” to the First Presidency. (Doctrine and Covenants 107:23, 24.)

This doctrine was amplified in a revelation concerning the Twelve Apostles:

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Chapter 17A

Does the Church Have a Monopoly on Truth?

Such a question reflects a complete misapprehension of the claims of the restored Church of Christ.

A monopoly of truth would mean the possession of all available truth, and the exclusion of those not in the Church from participation in the possession or benefits of truth.

Nothing could be farther from the teachings of the Church. It has been taught from the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith that the light of truth enlightens every man born into the earth. All who seek truth find it, whether in or out of the Church.
Those who seek earnestly for truth in libraries, laboratories or open nature will be rewarded from the inexhaustible fountain of truth. The author of truth is generous. The Church urges that in every clime, by all men, at all times, the search for truth be continued; for as truth increases a long men, human joys may increase.

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