If life began at the molecular level and evolved, how do we account for Adam and Eve? While the LDS church avoids official pronouncements on science, Mormon leaders have periodically spoken on scientific theories, and their positions have run from implicit acceptance to outright rejection.

The theological implications of science range from probability of prophecy in quantum mechanics to determining parenthood for genetically engineered organisms. Mormonism teaches that God is subject to natural laws and that humans can similarly learn to create and nurture. In light of such an optimistic world view, LDS scientists attempt in this anthology to harmonize current research with church teachings.

Among the essays included are: "Scientific Foundations of Mormon Theology" by David H. Bailey; "The New Biology and Mormon

Theology" by James L. Farmer, William S. Bradshaw, and F. Brent Johnson; "Seers, Savants, and Evolution: The Uncomfortable Interface" by Duane E. Jeffery; "The B. H. Roberts/Joseph Fielding Smith/James E. Talmage Affair" by Richard Sherlock and Jeffrey E. Keller; and "Science: A Part of or Apart from Mormonism?" by Richard Pearson Smith.

“The notion,” write the editors, “that there is no room in the church for harmonizing and reconciling scientific and religious truths has slowly caused a retreat among many Mormons from a former reverence for science.” They cite Apostle James E. Talmage’s epitaph as “the most enduring advice” for those dealing with science and religion: “Within the gospel of Jesus Christ there is room for every truth thus far learned by man, or yet to be made known.”


about the editors

Gene A. Sessions and Craig J. Oberg are professors at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, in history and microbiology. Sessions is author of Mormon Thunder: A Documentary History of Jedediah Morgan Grant.

The Search for Harmony
Essays on Science and Mormonism

Edited by Gene A. Sessions and Craig J. Oberg

Signature Books, Salt Lake City, 1993


copyright page

Cover illustration: Royal Cubit by Doug Himes, 1989, oil on paper
Cover design: Julie Easton

Printed on acid free paper.

© 1993 by Signature Books, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Signature Books is a registered trademark of Signature Books, Inc.
Composed and printed in the United States of America.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The Search for harmony: essays on science and Mormonism / edited by Gene A. Sessions, Craig J. Oberg.
p. cm. Includes bibliographical references.
1. Religion and Science—1946- 2. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Doctrines. 3. Mormon Church—Doctrines.
I. Sessions, Gene Allred. II. Oberg, Craig J.
BL241.S4257 1993 261.5'5—dc20 92-6811
ISBN 1-56085-020-5