Prophetic Statements on Evolution

and the

New Era October 2016 Article Titled

“What does the Church believe about evolution?”

Consider, does the October 2016 New Era Titled “What does the Church believe about evolution?” reflect the doctrinal statement Prophets have publicly stated about evolution? Before we begin, a key point we should remember when evaluating this topic is that in every general conference we sustain the President of the Church as

“the senior Apostle, and as such the only man authorized to exercise all of the revelatory and administrative keys for the Church.”^1,2

Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland

As the Prophet Joseph F. Smith stated:

“We can accept nothing as authoritative but that which comes directly through the appointed channel, the constituted organizations of the Priesthood, which is the channel that God has appointed through which to make known His mind and will to the world.”³

Concerning the New Era article, notice that the article does not quote any latter-day prophets. The article does not list an author. By what authority are they speaking? A small fragment of a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland is quoted, but this fragment is only a very small contribution to what has been publicly proclaimed by the latter-day Prophets and endorsed by the apostles which relates to this topic. There have been two official First Presidency proclamations on the topic (linked below). One of these two has been reprinted in the Ensign as recently as February 2002 with the added statement that “this expresses the Church’s Doctrinal Position on these matters.” In addition to these official proclamations, there have been numerous public comments and statements by latter-day prophets and apostles on the topic. A good sampling of quotes on this topic can be found in the video “Evolution and Creation – LDS Prophets and Apostles Doctrinal Proclamations and Statements.” https://youtu.be/iFfNdV6Bwqs .

The overall historic validity - the historicity of the Mosaic account found in Genesis and other LDS scripture, is solidly endorsed by the Official First Presidency statements. The “ ‘Mormon’ View of Evolution”⁴ by the Prophet Heber J. Grant and his counselors given in September 1924. The “ ‘Mormon’ View of Evolution” states:

“ ‘God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.’ Moses, the prophet-historian… when making this important announcement, was not voicing a mere opinion. He was speaking as the mouthpiece of God, and his solemn declaration was for all time and for all people.” ⁵

The “ ‘Mormon’ View of Evolution” as stated by the Prophet Heber J. Grant and counselors, confirms Moses as a recorder of history, not allegory, and as a “mouthpiece of God… for all time.” The “ ‘Mormon’ View of Evolution” statement, in large measure, is a restatement and endorsement of an earlier statement by Prophet Joseph F. Smith and counselors.

“The Origin of Man,”⁶ an Official statement by the Prophet Joseph F. Smith and counselors, was reprinted as recently as 2002 in the Ensign. When it was reprinted in the 2002 Ensign, a few introductory words were offered which read in part, “[this, ‘the Origin of Man’ statement] expresses the Church’s Doctrinal Position on these matters.”⁷

The real heart of “the Origin of Man” statement is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, basing its belief on divine revelation, ancient and modern, proclaims man to be the direct and LINEAL offspring of Deity.” Please review the dictionary definition of lineal⁸. These very words are also found in the “ ‘Mormon’ View of Evolution.”⁹ There are many statements made by prophets and apostles that further clarify these statements. Just one of which I will cite here: “Man is a child of God, … He is born in the lineage of Deity, not in the posterity of the brute creation.”¹⁰ This was declared by the great LDS apostle and theologian James E. Talmage.

Now consider the October 2016 New Era article, titled “What does the Church believe about evolution?” Again, what doctrinal document are they referencing when they state “The Church has no official position on the theory of evolution” and “Nothing has been revealed concerning evolution”? To the credit of the New Era article, at the bottom, they do make reference to official doctrine “The Origin of Man” by stating, “For further reference, see ‘The Origin of Man.” However, the very thesis of the New Era article, that “The Church has no official position on the theory of evolution” and “Nothing has been revealed concerning evolution” appears to be in conflict with the clear wording of the official Church document, “The Origin of Man” which claims “this expresses the Church’s Doctrinal Position on these matters.”¹¹

For further examples of prophets and apostles quotes on creation and evolution you may want to view the video:

Evolution and Creation - LDS Prophets and Apostles Doctrinal Proclamations and Statements

This video contains only official statements from latter-day prophets and apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and from the scriptural statements of Jesus Christ himself. These LDS Church authorities answer questions like: What is "The Origin of Man"? Do Adam and Eve really stand as the sole progenitors of the human race? Did Adam evolve from lower forms of life? Can one harmonize Moses's creation account found in Genesis and other LDS scripture on Creation with Darwin's theory of Evolution? What is the " 'Mormon' View on Evolution "? Has Darwinian evolution been addressed in General Conference talks? How should we respond when modern "science" conflicts with Church doctrine?

Church authorities quoted in this video:

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