Church History Matters – Episode 192

Does the Church Contradict Science? | Science Religion Series
Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: Scott & Casey (Scripture Central)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the evolving relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the scientific theory of evolution, examining institutional stances, leadership perspectives, official materials, and grassroots beliefs from the 1970s to today. Scott and Casey offer a nuanced walk through policy and pedagogy, share personal experiences, and highlight memorable moments of doctrinal wrestling within the Latter-day Saint tradition. With honesty and humility, the hosts track how official neutrality, fundamentalist approaches, and gradual shifts have shaped the present, all while reiterating that faithful inquiry and open discussion remain central to church history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Science vs. Religion: Two Epistemologies

[03:07-06:08]

• Summary of previous episodes: Ultimate harmony between religion and science is held by those who recognize them as distinct but complementary ways of knowing—science answering "how" and religion focusing on "why" and meaning.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "Scripture texts are the result of a human-divine collaboration written by ancient authors, embedded in their own cultures, and crafted primarily for the purpose of doing theology, not science." – [04:48] (Casey)

2. Early 20th Century ‘Neutrality’ and the Two Camps

[06:08 - 12:33]

• Two main approaches in Christianity (and mirrored within the LDS church):
  • Fundamentalists: Literal inerrancy of scripture, anti-evolution, resistance to scientific reconciliation.
  • Modernists: Progressive revelation, acceptance of scientific discovery as divine methodology.
• Church’s Position: Multiple First Presidency statements (1909, 1925, 1931) affirmed that the church remains neutral on the scientific mechanisms of creation/evolution, focusing on core doctrines (i.e., humans as children of God).
• Heber J. Grant’s classic response: Both sides in debates "proved that we don't actually have a doctrine about this" regarding death before the fall. [09:49]

3. Mid-Century Shift: From Official Neutrality to Fundamentalism

[12:33-18:51]

• The death of science-minded apostles (Talmage, Widtsoe, Merrill) allowed for fundamentalist views—especially Joseph Fielding Smith’s anti-evolution stance—to influence church discourse more heavily.
• Education Context: Joseph Fielding Smith’s book Man, His Origin and Destiny and Bruce R. McConkie’s writings fostered a quasi-orthodoxy against evolution, notably within Church Education.

Notable Quote:
“J. Reuben Clark...leaned more modernist in his views...his voice was a tempering voice that was sent down to address this question.” – [16:21] (Scott)

4. Tensions in Church Education and Curriculum Creation

[21:20 – 29:57]

• Mormon Doctrine (Bruce R. McConkie):
  • 10 pages devoted to refuting evolution. The book’s tone led to confusion on officiality.
  • "Mormon Doctrine is a great resource. The problem with it is that it's called Mormon Doctrine.” – [21:36] (Casey)
• Catastrophism & Anti-Evolution Materials:
  • The idea of Noah’s flood explaining all geological strata gained temporary traction.
  • Proposals like Cataclysm from Space were ultimately rejected by high-level church and academic review for unsound science.
• Checks and Balances:
  • Headquarters and scholarly reviews periodically tempered fundamentalism.
  • Even strongly anti-evolution curriculum pieces were sometimes blocked from official channels.

5. Leadership Perspectives: 1970s–2000s

[36:29–47:42]

• Joseph Fielding Smith:
  • As President, avoids new anti-evolution statements; quoted as saying, "What I have taught and written in the past, I would teach and write again..." [36:29]
  • Admitted flexibility: "Well, I was wrong, wasn't I?" – Response to his earlier prediction humans would never walk on the moon.
• Bruce R. McConkie:
  • Transitioned to less aggressive anti-evolution rhetoric after becoming apostle, focused ministry on Christ and salvation.
  • Still famously included evolution among his "Seven Deadly Heresies." [43:12]
• Boyd K. Packer:
  • Strong anti-evolution but always with personal disclaimers; did not treat belief in evolution as a test of faith.
  • “I want to give my own views on this. I'm not speaking for the church.” – referencing "The Law and the Light" [44:38]

6. The Latter-day Saint Edition of the Scriptures and Study Aids

[48:26–59:16]

• Bible Dictionary and chapter headings (often written by McConkie) show subtle preference for literal/historic readings (e.g., “no death before the Fall”), but do not overtly canonize anti-evolution positions.
• The “Fall of Man” in Bible Dictionary:
  "Before the fall there were no sin, no death. ...After Adam fell, the whole creation fell and became mortal." [56:37]
• Some materials suggest a young Earth (“Fall at 4000 BC”), with caveats on chronology uncertainty.
• Old Testament Student Manual (1980s): The most strongly anti-evolution statement found in correlated materials, quoting Joseph Fielding Smith.

7. Latter-day Saints’ Personal Experiences & Oral Culture

[61:33–67:56]

• Personal stories highlight informal transmission of anti-evolution attitudes, especially influenced by the writings and teachings of Smith/McConkie.
• Notable Moment:
  • "Do you subscribe to the damnable doctrine of evolution?" – McConkie interviewing an aspiring seminary teacher. [63:03]
• Survey of peer experiences reveals both strong anti-evolution sentiment and areas of indifference/absence of such teachings, depending on family and region.

8. Late 20th Century–Present: Return to Institutional Neutrality

[68:12–87:16]

• Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992): Cites all major First Presidency statements and emphasizes Church neutrality, omitting endorsement of anti-evolution dogma.
  • "The Scriptures tell why man was created, but they do not tell how..." [68:12]
• BYU Board of Trustees Packet:
  • Contains only official statements: 1909, 1925, and 1931, reaffirming institutional neutrality.
• Church Presidents’ statements:
  • Gordon B. Hinckley:
    "I tell them I am not concerned with organic evolution. I do not worry about it. I passed through the argument long ago." – [73:37]
    • Emphasized belief in a historical Adam but showed little concern for mechanisms.
  • Russell M. Nelson (prior to presidency):
    "To think that man evolved from one species to another is, to me, incomprehensible..." – [75:35]
    • Never issued official statements on evolution as President.
  • Dallin H. Oaks:
    • Emphasized reasoning informed by both science and revelation; never directly addressed evolution as doctrine.
• Overall trend: Church leaders since the 1990s return to a tone of institutional neutrality, welcoming both perspectives among faithful members.

9. Beliefs of Latter-day Saints: Survey Data and Trends

[79:40–87:16]

• 1973 BYU Survey:
  • 81% rejected evolution as involved in creation.
• 2010s–2018 Pew and Academic Studies:
  • Growing split: About 52% say humans always existed in current form; 42% accept evolution—often as divinely guided.
  • Later research shows belief in evolution rises with education among liberal Latter-day Saints but decreases with education among conservative Latter-day Saints.
  • Host insight: "Political conservatism rather than education alone plays a major role in shaping LDS views." – [83:35] (Scott)
• Recent LDS undergraduates:
  • Show growing openness to evolution and old Earth dating, attributed to both earlier science education and decreasing anti-evolution rhetoric from church leadership.

10. Hosts’ Reflections and Concluding Thoughts

[85:33–87:16 / 89:12–90:07]

• Both Scott and Casey express their own evolution (pun intended) in thinking about these issues as educators and Latter-day Saints.
• "A person can study evolution and even be in favor of evolution and be a fully involved, engaged and active Latter-Day Saint." – [87:16] (Casey)
• "All are welcome is basically what we're saying." – [87:56] (Scott)
• Next episode teaser: Ben Spackman, a scholar of this history, will join to answer deep-dive questions on science and religion in the Church.

Selected Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Scripture texts are the result of a human-divine collaboration... crafted primarily for the purpose of doing theology, not science.”
  • [04:48] (Casey)
• "Let's leave science to the scientists and let's us church leaders get busy preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. How about that?"
  • [09:49] (Scott recounting Heber J. Grant)
• "Mormon Doctrine is a great resource. The problem with it is that it's called Mormon Doctrine."
  • [21:36] (Casey)
• “Do you subscribe to the damnable doctrine of evolution?”
  • [63:03] (Scott recalling Bruce R. McConkie’s interview question)
• “I think a person can study evolution and even be in favor of evolution and be a fully involved, engaged and active Latter Day Saint.”
  • [87:16] (Casey)
• "All are welcome is basically what we're saying."
  • [87:56] (Scott)

Important Timestamps

• 03:07–06:08: Dual epistemologies; science vs. religion.
• 12:33–18:51: Shift from neutrality to fundamentalism (J.F. Smith, McConkie).
• 21:20–22:52: Mormon Doctrine, confusion over authority.
• 36:29–43:40: Joseph Fielding Smith and Moon landing, McConkie transitions.
• 49:53–54:54: Bible Dictionary, doctrinal influence on study helps.
• 61:33–67:56: Hosts’ and peers’ experiences with anti-evolution teachings.
• 68:12–76:30: Modern leaders’ (Hinckley, Nelson) statements and shifting tone.
• 79:40–87:16: LDS beliefs and survey data through the decades.
• 88:01–90:07: Reflection and preview of next episode with Ben Spackman.

Tone & Language

• Open, respectful, self-reflective, and scholarly.
• Sincere desire to fairly represent all perspectives within the Latter-day Saint tradition.
• Acknowledges complexity, recognizes nuances in lived experience, and reaffirms institutional neutrality and inclusivity in the modern day.

Summary Takeaway

The Latter-day Saint church has spent a century navigating the intersection of science and faith, oscillating between neutrality, fundamentalism, and modernist openness. Leaders, educators, and members have all contributed to the ongoing conversation, with present-day institutional stance welcoming both scientific inquiry and faith commitments. The tension—and harmony—between science and scripture remains a space for personal exploration and respectful debate. As the hosts conclude: all are welcome.