Evolution and Mormonism: A Quest for Understanding

Rating:
Summary: Recommended reading for anyone studying science and religion
Review: Both men being Professors of Anatomy and Embryology, Trent Stephens and Jeffrey Meldrum effectively collaborate to address the approaches of science and religion (the latter within the context of Mormon theology) with respect to how life developed on Earth. They draw upon the new field of molecular biology to fill in the missing pieces in the fossil record and sacred writings in the Mormon "Pearl of Great Price" to argue that God may have created the mechanism by which all life was formed, rather than each organism being created separately, and such an understanding of God's approach to this aspect of creation is a satisfying, awe-inspiring possibility that reconciles the demands of science with the positions of revealed faith. Evolution And Mormonism is recommended reading for anyone studying science and religion issues and dichotomies.

Rating:
Summary: Good overview
Review: First, my only complaint. I know that the two main authors are scientists, and this may be why the third co-author was brought in; to help them actually write it, but even so it suffers a little bit from lack of unifying theme. It's more like a collection of disparate lectures than a book with chapters. Also, some LDS might be put off by the fact that it's published by Signature, which has a dicey reputation with many faithful LDS because of some of the *other* books they've published.

But that's guilt by association, and I would not hesitate to recommend this to someone who has a decent high school level grounding in the sciences (university prep 2nd year biology*). Others might not get all of the terminology, even though the authors do try to simplify these references. Perhaps another chapter on the philosophy of science versus the way religion approaches transcendent and teleological (purpose-related) questions might have helped. The first two chapters are a reasonable attempt at providing a philosophical background, but it's not until you get past that that you get into the real arguments they make.

And the arguments are solid. Many LDS, trailing clouds of right-wing literalist Protestant culture behind them, think that the LDS view on evolution is negative (and one can easily get trapped into a "my GA's quotes versus your GA's quotes" argument). But as the authors explain, the Church, (n.B. the article in Encyclopedia of Mormonism), in a variety of statements, has made it clear that a) the Church's view is neutral; and b) the Church actually has a view that is the same as that of a well-known scientist, a self-admitted agnostic secular Jew; namely Stephen Jay Gould. Prof. Gould has coined the term "non-overlapping magesteria" for the realms of science and religion. Not that the Church, like any other religion, would care per se about what Prof. Gould has to say, but it's interesting that there is true consilience here (to use the word of a famous atheist scientist ironically).

The authors make a good case that the issue isn't so much a conflict between answers as in the type of questions that are asked, and those brethren who have spoken out against evolution really oppose "scientism," or atheism cloaked in science, which is the polar opposite of "creationism," which is religion cloaked as science.

They cover the history of the issue well but even more importantly, they explain what evolution is and what it means, in laymen's language. Many of the arguments against evolution are straw man arguments made out of ignorance of what the theory actually says (and, in fact, what a "theory" is in science to begin with).

Summary: don't let the fact that this was published by Signature put anyone off who's interested in the topic. Just make sure that you (or the person you're buying it for) has at least some schooling in biology.

* e.g. Biology 30 as we call it up here in "Zion's Attic" (Alberta, Canada)

Marc A. Schindler
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada -- Gateway to the Boreal Parkland

Rating:
Summary: Evolution and Mormonism: Moving in the Right Direction
Review: This new book by Trent D. Stephens and D. Jeffrey Meldrum will probably be a surprise to both evolutionists (Neo-Darwinists) and Mormons alike. It is no apologetic defense of Mormonism nor is it a rehash of old anti-creationist arguments. In the end, of course, the authors make their case in defense of certain Mormon doctrines; however, it is in the way that they arrive at their conclusions that makes this book fascinating. Of most surprise to this reader was their point blank debunking of traditional creationist as well as scientific-creationist arguments. Moreover, they boldly refute statements made by numerous Mormon authorities who have, in the past, made statements advocating the literal understanding of the scriptures both ancient and modern. The essence of their position is that, wherever Mormon teachings have contradicted established and demonstrable science, then science must prevail and Mormonism must be revised, reinterpreted or rejected! Regarding the evolution of humankind the authors state, "the evidence that humans are biologically connected to other animals is overwhelming and cannot be dismissed." Furthermore, they state that Adam and Eve "achieved their 'human' stature through evolution". In spite of the fact that they resort to some suspiciously unscientific theological interpretations to bolster their claims, the book is an interesting treatise. Of particular value are the long quotations from "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin, the discussion of recent advances in DNA research and a brief discussion of possible applications of chaos theory to the theory of evolution. Writing as one who had been a devout Mormon for nearly thirty years, I must say that this book is enlightening although not totally satisfying. It will not convince me to return to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to students of evolution and Mormonism.