Religion and Evolution Questions
1. The 1909 First Presidencies message entitled “The Origin of Man” reads in part “The word of the Lord declares that Adam was “the first man of all men” (Moses 1:34), and we are therefore in duty bound to regard him as the primal parent of our race.” What do you think is meant by primal parent of our race?
2. Four years after the 1909 statement, the Prophet Joseph F. Smith states in a conference address that “Adam, our earthly parent, was also born of woman into this world, the same as Jesus and you and I.” How do you interpret this statement in light of what he said in question 1?
3. A second First Presidency statement concerning the origin of man was released in 1925. Why do you think President Grant and his first presidency decided to write a second statement? To what degree did the second statement resembled the first? What was different?
4. Over what two issues did B.H. Roberts and Joseph Fielding Smith disagree on? Did these men keep their disagreement to themselves? How did the Quorum of the twelve try to resolve there disagreement? On what side did the First Presidency come down on? What admonition did the first presidency give to the quorum of the twelve concerning this matter?
5. Who gave a talk entitled “The Earth and Man”? Why did he give the talk? Was it sanctioned by the church?
6. What effect did Joseph Fielding Smith’s book “Man his Origin and Destiny” and Bruce R McConkie’s book “Mormon Doctrine have on the membership of the church? In your view, did they follow the admonition of the first presidency in question 4?
7. When and where was the most recent First Presidency statement published? What does it say?