The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and Evolution
BYU College of Life Sciences/Y Mountain Press, 2025. Print-on-demand. Paperback. 355 pp. We believe that questing for further light and knowledge leads, ultimately, to harmony between revelation and research, between academic and spiritual means of knowing, between scripture and science. This book provides information for sincere seekers on the science of evolution in light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Some may feel compelled to choose between truths learned in biology and truths of religion. We do not claim to know how all truths relate or reconcile, but we know from our own experience that we do not have to choose between them. In this book, we seek to establish what we know from a religious standpoint, what we know from a scientific standpoint, and how we can bring these two epistemologies together in order to be one of the “best books” from which seekers can learn “by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). Every chapter was selected in light of and in fidelity to revealed truths.
Throughout the history of evolutionary science, Church leaders and members have espoused a variety of personal views. At the same time, the Church has constantly maintained the revealed truth that God planned for the eternal life of people and therefore created us on purpose, while also maintaining that “nothing has been revealed concerning evolution.” Within that space, this book intentionally shows that accepting evolution as a valid scientific theory is among the legitimate, faithful choices a person can make while maintaining faith in the restored scriptural truths of God’s creative work and plan.
Table of Contents
Editors’ Introduction xi
Jamie L. Jensen, Steven L. Peck, Ugo A. Perego, and
T. Benjamin Spackman
Accepting Evolution: Why Does It Matter? 1
Jamie L. Jensen
From Biology Major to Religion Professor: 23
Personal Reflections on Evolution
Joshua M. Sears
What Do We Know from a Religious Epistemology?
When Worlds Collide: 49
Scripture and Cosmology in Historical Perspective
Kyle R. Greenwood
The Genesis Creation Account in Its Ancient Context 61
Avram R. Shannon
The Seven Seals, the Age of the Earth, and 77
Continuing Revelation
Nicholas J. Frederick
(No) Death before the Fall?: 81
The Basis and Twentieth-Century History of Interpretation
T. Benjamin Spackman
Contents
What Do We Know from a Scientific Epistemology?
Why the Latter-day
Saint Community Can Trust Science 119
(in the Same Way Scientists Do)
Steven L. Peck
Accepting Evolution with Joy Is Possible 143
T. Heath Ogden
Wonderful Forms of Life Have Been and Are Being Evolved: 161
A Brief Explanation of What Evolution Is and Is Not
Tyler A Kummer and Jamie L. Jensen
The Scientific Evidence for Human Evolution 187
Seth M. Bybee
Thoughts on Reconciliation
Should Evolution Be Taught at BYU?: 213
A Certain “Yes” from an Uncertain Defender
James P. Porter
Evolutionary Biology as a Discipline at 219
Brigham Young University:
An Academic Success Story
Michael F. Whiting
From Seminary Teacher to Scientist to Institute Director: 239
Learning by Study and Also by Faith
Ugo A. Perego
Living with Uncertainty Helps Us Reconcile 251
Evolution and Faith
Jared Lee
Using a Reconciliation Approach to Teach Evolution 263
May Help Religious Students Remain Faithful
Danny Ferguson, Ethan Tolman, Spencer Shumway, and
Cassidy Shively
To the Latter-day
Saint Audience . . . 281
from Scientists Who Care
Jamie L. Jensen, with Constance M. Bertka and Lee Meadows
On the Official Position of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day
Saints on Evolution
The 1909 and 1925 First Presidency Statements 299
in Historical and Scientific Contexts
T. Benjamin Spackman
Appendix A: Organic Evolution 331
Appendix B: The Origin of Man 337
The First Presidency of the Church
Appendix C: “Mormon” View of Evolution 345
The First Presidency of the Church
Appendix D: What Does the Church Believe about Evolution? 347
Appendix E: What Does the Church Believe about Dinosaurs? 349
Appendix F: Science and Our Search for Truth 351
Alicia K. Stanton. New. Item #40149
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