Comments on: Support for Darwinian Evolution in LDS Scriptures http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:12:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: daveonline http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102755 daveonline Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:51:52 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102755 I know I am a bit late jumping on here, but one of the more intriguing scriptures that implies/supports that the process like evolution may very well have been the preferred choice to bring about life and creation is Alma 37:6,7. 6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. Evolution and billions of years is a pretty small and simple means to bring about the confounding of the wisdom of the fundamentalists in my book. It is also a very instructive and humbling reminder about the patience needed for the process of growth needed by me as an individual and for bringing about Zion. I know I am a bit late jumping on here, but one of the more intriguing scriptures that implies/supports that the process like evolution may very well have been the preferred choice to bring about life and creation is Alma 37:6,7.
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Evolution and billions of years is a pretty small and simple means to bring about the confounding of the wisdom of the fundamentalists in my book. It is also a very instructive and humbling reminder about the patience needed for the process of growth needed by me as an individual and for bringing about Zion.

]]> By: Sam http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102136 Sam Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:44:26 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102136 #10 but pennies (metal) will never be dollars (paper/cotton) #11 i see a great divide. i agree a bird can adapt its bill over time to accommodate different food for example. there is observable evidence of this. however i see no evidence that said bird can change over time from a bird to a camel. this lack of evidence is the divide for me. and perhaps more importantly (and more relevant to this post) there is no <b>scriptural</b> evidence to support macroevolution. #10 but pennies (metal) will never be dollars (paper/cotton)

#11 i see a great divide. i agree a bird can adapt its bill over time to accommodate different food for example. there is observable evidence of this. however i see no evidence that said bird can change over time from a bird to a camel. this lack of evidence is the divide for me. and perhaps more importantly (and more relevant to this post) there is no scriptural evidence to support macroevolution.

]]> By: Clark http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102104 Clark Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:03:46 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102104 The distinction between macro and micro evolution is an artificial one largely made by Creationists. There's no real scientific way of creating the divide. It becomes "macro" is what I disagree with and "micro" is what I have no choice to but accept if I want to be intellectually honest. The distinction between macro and micro evolution is an artificial one largely made by Creationists. There’s no real scientific way of creating the divide. It becomes “macro” is what I disagree with and “micro” is what I have no choice to but accept if I want to be intellectually honest.

]]> By: Tim http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102090 Tim Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:57:57 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102090 Problem is, macroevolution is the dollars to microevolution's pennies. You add up enough pennies, and surprise! Macroevolution. Problem is, macroevolution is the dollars to microevolution’s pennies. You add up enough pennies, and surprise! Macroevolution.

]]> By: Sam http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102082 Sam Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:22:22 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102082 I totally agree with microevolution, but as for macroevolution I see more evidence against it than for it (scripturally and observably). I totally agree with microevolution, but as for macroevolution I see more evidence against it than for it (scripturally and observably).

]]> By: John Mansfield http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102074 John Mansfield Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:53:18 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102074 In the quote of Abraham 4:21-22, several phrases were italicized: "prepared," "bring forth," "they would be obeyed," "we will bless them," "cause them." What concepts were meant to be highlighted with these phrases? Only "bring forth" has any connection to evolution. In the quote of Abraham 4:21-22, several phrases were italicized: “prepared,” “bring forth,” “they would be obeyed,” “we will bless them,” “cause them.” What concepts were meant to be highlighted with these phrases? Only “bring forth” has any connection to evolution.

]]> By: Jack http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102070 Jack Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:16:49 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102070 We don't seem to have a problem with modern cosmology. The universe has indeed become a very big place--and the scriptures are indicative of that fact in their own way. But even so, one might wonder at the need for such "excess" in God's plan. Then again, when one considers the idea that God's standard MO seems to be one of sweet condescension--allowing the greatest possible freedom on the part of all who are involved right down to the least--then the vastness of time and space employed in the project become a reflection of God's magnanimity rather than excess. A Theistic Evolution of sorts seems to fit well within a grand cosmological picture as found in the scriptures. God is the Creator--and his spirit broods upon the waters. But it is in the most subtle way possible--so as to not violate the agency of even the least. We don’t seem to have a problem with modern cosmology. The universe has indeed become a very big place–and the scriptures are indicative of that fact in their own way. But even so, one might wonder at the need for such “excess” in God’s plan. Then again, when one considers the idea that God’s standard MO seems to be one of sweet condescension–allowing the greatest possible freedom on the part of all who are involved right down to the least–then the vastness of time and space employed in the project become a reflection of God’s magnanimity rather than excess.

A Theistic Evolution of sorts seems to fit well within a grand cosmological picture as found in the scriptures. God is the Creator–and his spirit broods upon the waters. But it is in the most subtle way possible–so as to not violate the agency of even the least.

]]> By: Zen http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102062 Zen Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:48:45 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102062 It is interesting to note that Abraham twice says that what he has is a knowledge of the "beginning of the creation". Abr. 1:31 but also Abr. 1:28 It is fascinating to wonder if perhaps the creation is not actually done yet and whether "all things shall be made new" in the Millenium means anything more than just being taught an even higher law. Zen It is interesting to note that Abraham twice says that what he has is a knowledge of the “beginning of the creation”. Abr. 1:31 but also Abr. 1:28

It is fascinating to wonder if perhaps the creation is not actually done yet and whether “all things shall be made new” in the Millenium means anything more than just being taught an even higher law.

Zen

]]> By: Devyn S. http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102060 Devyn S. Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:17:23 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102060 Thanks for the mini-treatise - I am a big fan of evolution. My dissertation was entitled "evolution and development of the vertebrate gut". I think that at this point, it is fairly silly to argue that evolution does not occur. I am surprised you have not received any negatives here. The best book I have read is written by Trent Stephens and Jeff Meldrum called Evolution and Mormonism. They walk through the entire story of the biblical creation and then discuss Evolution. They are both Mormon and on the Biology Faculty at Idaho State University. A great read. Thanks for the mini-treatise – I am a big fan of evolution. My dissertation was entitled “evolution and development of the vertebrate gut”. I think that at this point, it is fairly silly to argue that evolution does not occur. I am surprised you have not received any negatives here. The best book I have read is written by Trent Stephens and Jeff Meldrum called Evolution and Mormonism. They walk through the entire story of the biblical creation and then discuss Evolution. They are both Mormon and on the Biology Faculty at Idaho State University. A great read.

]]> By: John http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/20/support-for-darwinian-evolution-in-lds-scriptures.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102054 John Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:18:59 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/?p=1195#comment-102054 Have you read "Earth: In the Beginning" by Eric N. Skousen? Really interesting book on the creation of the Earth and all life. Have you read “Earth: In the Beginning” by Eric N. Skousen? Really interesting book on the creation of the Earth and all life.

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