“But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” Alma 30:44
“The above scripture means all things including science, philosophy, anthropology, biology etc. come from God. His knowledge and intelligence is eternal. Why would we ever deny there is a conflict between science and religion? I don’t, but many an intellectual does. I will share with you some Intellects or Professors at BYU who seem to be on the edge of a cliff with some of their teachings. I am not here to judge them but to make you aware of some of the worldly doctrine that permeates BYU and other College campuses in today’s “great and spacious” buildings. We must avoid teachings that are not of God but are of man. It is fine to know about and understand some of the science and information that is speculative, but not to embrace and teach it.” Editor
David Hocking
“All things that are upon the face of it (the earth)…do witness that there is a Supreme Being. Biological life includes all forms and species of living things I.e. plants, insects, fowls, mammals, fishes and microbial forms of organisms. Each of these witness an Intelligent design and Designer. Each have a DNA code that defines their entire life form.”
The DNA codes for complex proteins (I.e. hemoglobin, albumin, amylase, etc.) that perform specific functions. Hundreds of cell types are formed by the DNA code made by stem cells in the bone marrow. Most, if not all, of the proteins and enzymes can be mutated resulting in impaired function. Few mutations are beneficial; most are detrimental. Mutations have yet to be shown to create a new species. Worms will forever be worms, etc. The statistical probability of raw elements formed by random chance can produce a functional anything is beyond calculation.
Science has established a basis to study biological life in concert with the scripture that states that the Glory of God is intelligence. Biological life affirms this as an Intelligent Designer is behind each cell and cellular process that has been currently defined. So far Science has yet to demonstrate that it can reproduce the most basic form of organizing the chemicals that forms a base of the DNA molecule.
The term evolution should be abandoned and replaced with adaptation. Thousands of species have been shown to implement adaptation for survival. They are still the same species and their DNA code was designed to provide that mechanism for environmental challenges.
I studied hemoglobins and of the over 1000 structural variants and the varied forms of impaired globin chain assemblies, not one is beneficial. And hemoglobin is one of several thousand proteins that are in the human body.” David Hocking Managing Editor Annotated Book of Mormon
Church Leaders Gather at BYU’s Life Sciences Building for Dedication
By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer 2015
“There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict only arises from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion, or both,” Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said during the dedication of the new Life Sciences Building at Brigham Young University on April 9.
“This university is committed to search for truth and teach the truth,” said Elder Nelson. “All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether truth comes from a scientific laboratory or by revelation from the Lord, it is compatible…”
“Now I will confess a personal prejudice,” he said. “I think that a person can learn more by studying God’s creations than by studying the works of people, even by the most erudite and educated scholars.”
Elder Nelson was a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon at the time he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984. Of his early days of research into the workings of the human heart, he spoke of how crucial it was to combine the knowledge he had with personal revelation—providing the undergirding foundation to his work.
“The great privilege of studying God’s creations builds in its students a reverence for life and a testimony that we are literally created by Deity,” he said. “That reverence for our Creator represents true religion. The meaning of the word religion is literally ‘to ligate,’ or ‘to tie us once again,’ back to God.
“For students, there is nowhere better to confront the questions shared between science and religion than in the College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University,” Elder Nelson said. “What a blessing this building will be…”
“During his life, John A. Widtsoe did as much as any contemporary to establish the link between science and the gospel,” he said. “With unparalleled spiritual and intellectual prowess and energy, he sought to erase the artificial distinction between scientific and religious truth. For him, science and religion were inextricably united.”
Just as the educators who came before, that same purpose remains today—to help students learn about scientific and religious truth in the same context.” Church Leaders Gather at BYU’s Life Sciences Building for Dedication Contributed By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer 17 APRIL 2015
I want all my readers to know that I am very pleased with the integrity of the Church and its leaders. I am very supportive of the Colleges and education that the Church provides for us. BYU is an exceptional school, but like with anything else we must have the ability to know good from evil. The difference between learning from the Lord and a fallacy of Satan. With our gift of discernment through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can decipher. I am at times very fearful of many intelligent preachers and them forgetting about the children and focusing on the things that make money and influence themselves or the most important thing to them in society. We must have discernment. Satan wants each of us, and our best efforts need to be used to combat evil and focus on the Lord and His commandments. We will learn great things by understanding the story of Korihor.
Korihor: The Arguments of Apostasy
By Chauncey C. Riddle
“Korihor appears out of nowhere, as it were, in the Nephite record. His entire story is contained in Alma 30, where he suddenly appears in the land of Zarahemla, preaching “unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ.” (Alma 30:6.) What we know of his background is mostly from inference, but his arguments show that he was an educated man, in sophistry if not in the scriptures. But we know from his own final admission that Korihor once had a testimony: “I also knew that there was a God. But behold, the devil hath deceived me. … And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind, … insomuch that I verily believed that they were true.” (Alma 30:52–53.) Thus Korihor’s life teaches us that having the truths of the gospel and being a covenant servant of Christ are in nowise guarantees of salvation. We are also reminded that the most powerful opposition to the work of the Savior on this earth comes from those who know the truth and then deliberately turn from it and seek to destroy others.”
Korihor took what might be called a philosophical approach to destroying faith in our Savior, an approach remarkably similar to that taken by many persons today in semiphilosophical attempts to “relieve” believers of what they are pleased to call their “naivete.” His arguments could not hurt those whose belief was born of genuine spiritual experience, but they were powerfully effective among those weak in the faith whose belief had not yet gone beyond words. An analysis of those arguments helps us to see how we can be strong in the faith in Christ. Let us select three of his arguments as examples.
We begin with Korihor’s argument for naturalistic empiricism (the belief that it is possible to know all truth through the senses—by experience and observation):
“Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.
“How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.” (Alma 30:14–15.)
Now it is plain that empiricism has value. It is good for us to observe our surroundings carefully and to appreciate our sensations. How else would we walk or drive an automobile? Without sensation, how could we know beauty or communicate with friends and loved ones or appreciate the marvelous handiwork of the creations of our God? Sense experience is indeed a valuable part of this life; the error comes in supposing that it is the only way of knowing what we know.
What can our senses tell us about justice or mercy or the future? Nothing. Indeed, it works the other way. Only when we have acquired by some nonempirical means the concepts of justice and mercy, or an idea about some future event—only then can we recognize the significance of our sensory experiences relating to justice and mercy or the fulfillment of prophecy.
None of the more important questions we ask can be solved or answered by depending solely on sensation. Is there a God? Is man immortal? Is it good to be honest? What should I do next in my life? The answers to each and all of these more important questions must come by faith. Every man answers these questions and makes the great decisions of his life on the basis of his belief in and acceptance of someone or something he cannot see. No man knows by his senses that each man has a spirit separate from his physical body, but some have a testimony of that fact gained by faith.
The answer to Korihor is plain and simple: Our initial acceptance of Christ is not empirical, for we do not see him. But we have received into our lives a Holy Spirit that teaches us to understand the scriptures about Christ and to believe that he lives. We do not pretend that this is yet knowledge. It is faith. We believe in Christ without having seen him because we trust this Holy Spirit that has taught us so many good things. Korihor might by his argument be able to confuse someone who had never had revelation, but his contention is only a pathetic childishness to those who enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
A second argument used by Korihor might be called his humanism. In concert with the other humanists of the world, he insists that achievement and success come by human means, such as physical strength, skill, and reason:
“And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength.” (Alma 30:17.)
Korihor would have us believe, like some authors of modern “success” books, that the solutions to our problems lie in sharp thinking and realistic approaches to life. But such persons define success in terms of wealth, social status, political power, and the glutting of the senses; and, as the servants of Christ know, if selfish attainments are one’s goal, the world is so constructed that one can indeed ignore the Savior and attain. But Korihor and his fellow humanists think that they are masterfully doing it on their own, not realizing that those who succeed at the expense of faith and love are on a down escalator and are being carefully guided, encouraged, aided, and comforted by their unseen mentor Satan. Their glorying in their own strength and accomplishments is a tribute to the cleverness of Satan, that devil who greases the sluiceway of sin.
Conversely, those who have accepted the gospel see that real success in this world is overcoming selfishness and turning one’s strength to righteousness, to blessing others. They know full well that this kind of success is an uphill, strained effort into the very teeth of the forces that make sin so easy. They know that it is not by any human means that one can overcome the world. After all we can do by human power, we are still nothing. It is only when the grace of God touches our lives that we can overcome evil and enact the precious mercies of righteousness. There can be no boasting, no pretension that anything human prospers us. The glory is all given unto God by those who are more than armchair servants of the Master.
The humanist argument is very persuasive to many because it is flattering. We do not naturally like to believe that without Him we can do nothing. Thus part of Satan’s entourage includes those who know the gospel is true but who insist they really don’t need much help except for a pointer or two and a little assistance in being resurrected. The servant of Christ is not persuaded, however. Long pleading with the Lord has stripped him of all humanistic pride.
A third argument used by Korihor is that of relativism: “… and whatsoever a man did was no crime.” (Alma 30:17.) A fuller statement of this attack by Korihor is as follows: Since (he claims) there is no god and men do not live after death, and since (he claims) all so-called “laws” and “commandments” are but social conveniences to give power to priests, the only important thing in life is to do what you want to do—if you can get away with it. How modern Korihor sounds! But the argument is timeless, as old as sin itself.
There are, of course, many versions of relativism (one would hardly expect relativism to be absolute). One version encourages enjoyment of the Church social organization without getting uptight about theology or religious commandments.
Another kind of relativism says that the commandments are great but open to broad private interpretation. A third acknowledges that there are commandments, but allows indulgence in sin since “nobody’s perfect.” A fourth version says that the commandments were okay when they were given, but they have become superfluous in our enlightened age. A fifth kind of relativism, that used by Korihor, says that the commandments were bad from the first; they are inhibitions on the soul of man that actually prevent him from ever achieving happiness. A sixth type, also used by Korihor, says that since one act is indifferent from another, it doesn’t matter what we do.
The great power of all relativistic approaches is that they allow the individual to judge his own actions. This is why almost any of the approaches strikes a responsive, sympathetic chord in all other relativists. Korihor found many who were pleased with his relativism, even though they may have rejected much else of what he said. “And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness.” (Alma 30:18.)
In stark contrast to the virtually infinite number of personal choices available in the broad way of relativism is the way of the Savior. That strait and narrow way is to do as he did: not to seek our own will, but to do the will of Him who sent us. It is to obey him in all things, obeying his word, which is his law, as it is freshly written in our hearts from revelation to revelation. It is to rely solely upon his merits, counting him as the only fountain of righteousness. It is being willing to die for his sake, crucifying the old person with worldly wants and desires in order to be born again “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19.)
Thus the gospel teaches a way that is absolute—absolute in that the formula for righteousness is always the same for every person and for every time and circumstance: take the name of Christ, always remember him, keep all of the commandments that he gives unto us. There is no other way to righteousness, for whatsoever is not of faith in Christ is sin.
Now it is little wonder that Korihor found much success in commending relativism to the members of the church in his time. For while the Church is true, the members of the Church here on earth have not yet overcome the world, although most are still trying. For many, the effort is hard, the price too great. Whether they leave the Church or not, they abandon the narrow way and settle for some variety of relativism.
But there is one thing relativism can never do, even within the Church. One who subscribes to any of the versions of relativism just listed will never (unless he repents) be brought to those sacrifices that will prepare his soul to spend an eternity in blessing others. Relativism can never purify heart and mind, or transform body and countenance into the image of the Savior.
Thanks be to our God that there is a way, strait and narrow though it be, to learn to love with a pure love! But the price is great. We must place all of our heart, might, mind, and strength at his disposal—always. We must count as dross and expendable everything of this world, including our own lives. This does not mean to deny life, but to live fully, enjoying the companionship of the Holy Ghost, working in a crescendo of works of love that will take us without faltering through the veil to results only understood in eternity.” By Chauncey C. Riddle Entire article here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1977/09/korihor-the-arguments-of-apostasy?lang=eng
Atheist and Agnostic
Agnostic definition is – a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (such as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods. Older dictionaries define atheism as “a belief that there is no God.” Atheists.org
Troubled Secularism
I continue to be troubled by the amount of secular learning our children are learning at elementary, junior high, high school, and especially at college. The Critical Race Theory (CRT) is happening everywhere and it is not good. It teaches Black people as always victims and White people are always aggressors and guilty of racism. There cannot be a unity there is always racism. This is wrong. The Savior said that we should become one just as He and His Father are one. I have no white guilt and I love all people regardless of their race or creed.
I do not have a degree in higher education but I have been around the block a few times and have studied hard about life and politics and religion. I am a life long and in good standing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I am thankful for a strong testimony in our Savior and His scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. I have always loved BYU and especially their sports. I have recently become critical of many of the secular doctrines that BYU teaches. It hasn’t affected my testimony or love of the Prophet and Apostles by any means, but my concern is, are our children strong in spirit enough to withstand the many secular teachings at BYU. I am not judging the school but I am worried there are so many Professors not just teaching theory such as evolution, but teaching it as doctrine.
Elder Packer below has shared some amazing things about secular and spiritual learning. I feel if our professors followed his council, I would trust more of these Professors. Again I am not judging but making you aware what to look out for. Just because your children go to BYU or a religious school, secularism is everywhere to be found.
Boyd K Packer
“Historians seem to take great pride in publishing something new, particularly if it illustrates a weakness or mistake of a prominent historical figure. For some reason, historians and novelists seem to savor such things. If it related to a living person, it would come under the heading of gossip. History can be as misleading as gossip and much more difficult—often impossible—to verify. The writer or the teacher who has an exaggerated loyalty to the theory that everything must be told is laying a foundation for his own judgment. He should not complain if one day he himself receives as he has given. Perhaps that is what is contemplated in having one’s sins preached from the housetops.” The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect Elder Boyd K. Packer
“I have come to believe that it is the tendency for many members of the Church who spend a great deal of time in academic research to begin to judge the Church, its doctrine, organization, and leadership, present and past, by the principles of their own profession. Ofttimes this is done unwittingly, and some of it, perhaps, is not harmful.” The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect Elder Boyd K. Packer
“This problem has affected some of those who have taught and have written about the history of the Church. These professors say of themselves that religious faith has little influence on Mormon scholars. They say this because, obviously, they are not simply Latter-day Saints but are also intellectuals trained, for the most part, in secular institutions. They would that some historians who are Latter-day Saints write history as they were taught in graduate school, rather than as Mormons.” The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect Elder Boyd K. Packer
“President Brigham Young admonished Karl G. Maeser not to teach even the times table without the Spirit of the Lord. How much more essential is that Spirit in the research, the writing, and the teaching of Church history.” The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect Elder Boyd K. Packer
All Lives Matter
“Combating racism and the Black Lives Matter movement were among the topics stressed in President Dallin H. Oaks’ BYU devotional address.
“Of course Black lives matter. That is an eternal truth all reasonable people should support,” said the first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While Black lives will always matter, many have used the movement to stand for other things that don’t “command universal support,” President Oaks said, such as abolishing police or making constitutional government changes. He said these things are appropriate to discuss and seek for, but not under “what we hope to be a universally accepted message: Black lives matter.” President Dallin H. Oaks says Black lives matter, urges all to rely on Christ during challenges By Cassidy Wixom -October 27, 2020 Full article here:
COLLEGE OF LIFE SCIENCES DIVERSITY COMMITEE
BYU Impact Magazine page 27-28
ISABELLA ERRIGO STUDENT
STEVEN PECK BIOLOGY
LEN NOVILLA PUBLIC HEALTH
RICK JELLEN PLANT & WILDLIFE SCIENCES
JUAN ARROYO CELL BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY
SARAH RIDEE ERCISE SCIENCES
LAURA JEFFERIES NUTRITION, DIATETICS & FOOD SCIENCE
JOEL GRIFFIITS MICROBIOLOGY & MOLECULAR BIOLOOY
STEVEN PECK BIOLOGY
“I love being a part of the diversity committee in the College of Life Sciences. Helping students to become actively antiracist is one of the most important things I’ve done as a BYU faculty member. The affirmation Black Lives Matter has helped me see the importance of working towards a more inclusive BYU for all its students.” Steven Peck COLLEGE OF LIFE SCIENCES DIVERSITY COMMITEE BYU Impact Magazine page 27
This troublesome Newsweek article by Steven Peck still disturbs me after all these years. Read it below.
Is Evolution Real? Christians Should Embrace Darwin’s Theories, Mormon College Professor Says
BY KATE SHERIDAN ON 3/1/18
Also a very concerning article in LDS living is from an intelligent member of the church who affiliates with Bok of Mormon Central and other apologetic groups, here called 5 Answers to Difficult Questions About Noah and the Flood.
Back to the article at COLLEGE OF LIFE SCIENCES DIVERSITY COMMITEE BYU Impact Magazine page 27
“An evolutionary biologist who teaches at a college owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that Mormons should feel comfortable accepting the theory of evolution, the Salt Lake City Tribune reported.
Brigham Young University biologist Steven Peck gave the Eugene England Memorial Lecture at Utah Valley University, a publicly-funded school, on Thursday. At the address, he delved into the rift between science and religion.” Read the entire article here:
ISABELLA ERRIGO STUDENT
“Inclusion is about making everybody feel safe, welcome, and valued, no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, political ideology, cultural background, sexual orientation, etc. Improving inclusion in the life sciences is a feat that will require an active effort from all parties-faculty, staff, and students-but it is a feat that can take the appearance of many different actions. It may look like required lessons or classes in which uncomfortable conversations are had, where people are able to safely share their experiences and ask questions. It may look like participating in celebrations for different cultural and religious holidays. It may look like an invitation, words of encouragement, or an offer of help and assistance. Regardless of the action, the basis of improving inclusion is increasing compassion for our brothers and sisters. Because, ‘when we have more compassion for those who are different from us, we are able to lighten many of the problems and sorrows in the world'(Joseph B. Wirthlin).”
FAITH AND SCIENCE
FIVE TIPS TO FAIIHFULLY APPROACH THE INTERSECTION
BETWEEN FAITH AND SCIENCE
Written By: Sydney Springer
Illustrations By: Audrey White
AT THE DEDICATION OE THE LIEE SCIENCES BUILDING,
President Russell M. Nelson said, “There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict only arises from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion, or both.” No one knows everything about religion or science yet. We must patiently learn from both as we address uncertainties that arise as the two converge. Biology professor Jamie Jensen provides five tips to faithfully approach the intersection of faith and science
l. UNDERSTAND THAT SCIENCE IS AGNOSTIC.
Many people mistakenly believe that science is inherently atheistic. But rather, science is agnostic because it can’t prove the existence of God, and it can’t prove the absence of God either. Remember that knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of scientific explanations don’t require you to disregard your religion, and vice versa. Look to faith, not science, to prove that there is a God.
2. DO NOT PIN YOUR EAITH ON A “GOD OP THE GAPS.”
Pinning your faith on a “God of the gaps” relies on God as an explanation for anything that science can’t currently explain. In ancient Greece, deities were created to explain weather patterns, but as soon as science provided reasonable explanations, their Gods disappeared. When science can finally account for these “gaps” in your
knowledge, you enter problematic territory that has the potential to minimize the power of faith. You must build a foundation of faith in God’s ability to provide spiritual understanding, not His ability to fill the gaps in your current understanding.
3. TAKE TIME TO LEARN THE NATURE Of SCIENCE.
In order to accept the truth in science, you must learn the nature of science. Educate yourself on the formation of scientific theory by familiarizing yourself with scientific exploration and justification methods. Doing so will help you recognize truth when you see it, be skeptical when it’s warranted, and feel less intimidated by the scientific field.
4. TAKE TIME TO LEARN YOUR RELIGION.
You will likely encounter a scientific principle that is contrary to what you have been taught in Sunday school. Before putting your faith on the line, the best course of action is educating yourself on official Church doctrine. The theory of evolution is a classic battle between religion and science. A little research will provide you with the response that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no official stance on the subject. Avoid misunderstanding by taking time to learn how doctrine is established.
5. REMEMBER THAT YOUR SALVATION DOES NOT DEPEND ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OR ACCEPTANCE OF SCIENCE.
When it comes to faith and science, it is important to prioritize your faith. You don’t need to understand or accept everything in science to achieve salvation. Jensen says, “science is great, but if you struggle to reconcile it with faith, choose your faith until you can better understand science.” Faith and science can and should coexist in harmony.
Please be wise and aware of teachings in the world that are contrary to gospel teachings. Even my words need study and prayer as we all make mistakes. I love the Lord and His gospel and pray His spirit will be with each of you.
