Talk Show Program Blog

On last Sunday's talk show I began by presenting some interesting quotations on the attitude of Pres. Brigham Young, Pres. Wilford Woodruff and Pres. Joseph F. Smith toward the Adam God concepts of Brigham Young. This is a topic which sheds light on the question of what has been considered mandatory and what has been considered forbidden doctrine within the Mormon Church. Read the Program Synopsis.

Further, I read from Pres. Joseph F. Smith's testimony before a Senate Committee on freedom within the Church. He used polygamy as an example to illustrate the degree of freedom existing among Mormons; that a person could reject an official doctrine (polygamy) found in a canonized revelation and yet be a member in good standing.

I had an interesting discussion last night with several callers. I discussed with one caller the allegation that Brigham Young's Adam God views were presented in the 19th century in the St. George Temple. Another caller insisted that all of Brigham Young's views on Adam were taught by Joseph Smith. He referred to several sources, all years after the death of Joseph Smith, some of which are vague.

No sources earlier than 1852 have been found which support Brigham Young's expansions on the views of Joseph Smith. I insist that examination of Joseph Smith's teachings as recorded at the time cannot be harmonized with some of Brigham Young's views, and thus cannot reasonably be attributed to Joseph Smith. The best evidence supports the view that the core of Brigham Young's views on Adam are based on the teachings of Joseph Smith, but that sometime prior to 1852, Brigham Young, on several points, developed his thinking on Adam beyond what Joseph Smith had taught. I read some of the sources which establish this and will be posting them, and others, to my site in the next several days.

Tomorrow, last nights program will be archived on my site and available for purchase for $4.00. Check my Catalogue.

I added 16 Notecards on Adam God which may be of interest. They are 118, 119, 143, 144,174, 192, 268, 269, 270, 278, 293, 294, 295, 299, 328, 373.

Check these out.

I just received the new issue of Journal of Mormon History (vol. 32, num. 3, Fall 2006) which includes two brief book reviews relative to my recent talk-shows on Science and Mormonism.

The first is Trent D. Stephens' review of Duwayne Anderson's Farewell to Eden: Coming to Terms with Mormonism and Science. Anderson, who lost his faith over issues with regard to science and common Mormon belief, was my guest in July, and he and I have written some notes and I have discussed his position on two recent programs, all of which are available on this website. Stephens is professor of anatomy and embryology in the Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, and bishop of Pocatello University Eighteenth Ward. He laments the fact that members troubled as Anderson has been are not referred to the some of the many believing LDS scientists who have considered the issues addressed by Anderson. Stephens is critical of the Anderson's sketch of Mormon history that there is an "uncompromising requirement" that LDS accept all the views of Church leaders. He finds Anderson's list of suggested readings like high school reading assignments and criticizes his neglect of any references to recent responsible works. Also, he corrects Anderson on his "Statistics Relating to Mormonism and Science," in chapter 8.

The second is D. Jeffrey Meldrum's review of Mormonism and Evolution: the Authoritative LDS Statements by William E. Evenson, physics professor at Utah Valley State College and Duane E. Jeffery, professor of Integrative Biology at BYU. Meldrum is associate professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University and ward clerk. Jeffery was my guest in March of 2005. We discussed this important book, with its collection of authoritative statements. Meldrum discusses the fact that there is no official position regarding the "physical creation of the human tabernacle," citing from the book from a 1910 First Presidency Statement: "Whether the mortal bodies of man evolved in natural processes to present perfection, through the direction and power of God ... are questions not fully answered in the revealed word of God." He discusses the significance of a packet prepared for distribution at BYU and the article in the Encylopedia of Mormonism on evolution in presenting the current Church position. This article was specifically authorized by the First Presidency. A key statement from the article reads: "The scriptures tell why man was created, but they do not tell how, though the Lord has promised that he will tell that when he comes again (D&C 101:32-33)."

On my talk-show December 31 a caller claimed that Nicola Tesla is one of the greatest scientists and believed the moon is inhabited. He further claimed that, based upon Tesla's views and findings today's scientists are coming to the position that the Moon is inhabited by intelligent life.

In the last month I have been updating a paper I wrote some years ago, Mormons and Moonmen, primarily looking at views of scientists of the 18th and 19th centuries. There were a number of prominent scientists who believed in intelligent life on the moon. I checked further this last week on views in the 20th century. Tesla in 1901 claimed he had detected extraterrestrial radio signals from probably from Mars. I was unable to find any modern reputable scientists who believe that there is intelligent life on the Moon.

One very interesting and user-friendly source is David Darling's extensive Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Astronomy and Space Flight.