Introduction

This document was written for students - LDS students. The subject is evolution. My guess is that conversations on this topic usually begin with some variation of the uneasy question, "Do you believe in evolution?" I have also concluded that the chance for positive dialogue to take place following such a beginning is not very good. The major problem is that the word itself may have been lost (been stripped of) its ability to communicate. Evolution elicits such a wide spectrum of responses in people - the set of background experiences and mental images which it conjures up, and the feelings which it triggers are so varied - that the discussants are rarely able to focus on a common concern long enough to achieve understanding, let alone appreciation, of one another's positions. And generally sentiments run high; few people are emotionally neutral on the subject. This generates in many of us a real uneasiness if not fear. We're not very comfortable when the conversation turns to evolution and often go out of the way to avoid the subject. There's a strong inclination in many people to tune out. There are other unfortunate responses. Hostility and ill will are not uncommon.

I, for one, am not happy with this situation and would like to see it change. What follows, then, is a modest attempt to promote reasonable dialogue among committed Latter-Day Saints about evolution. Let me be candid, at the outset, about my own position. I think evolution is a correct principle. If you limited me to a one-word answer to the standard opening question I would have to reply, "Yes, I believe in evolution." Furthermore, I don't believe that evolution is incompatible with the doctrines of the Church nor is it an enemy to faith.

I have decided that the best way to proceed is to divide the larger subject into smaller, "bite-sized pieces. The first task, then, has been to try to identify the most important, discrete issues which collectively constitute the evolution controversy, and formulate these as questions. I have then attempted to answer each, first with a succinct, summary response, followed by a more lengthy explanation.

These are my own views. I am certainly not trying to represent a church position, though I have tried to put the issues in the context of LDS theology as best I understand it.