Restoring Creation Doctrines & Exposing Evolution Science

RichardsonStudies.com/Science

“Upon hearing such carping insolence, my zeal could not be contained… I decided to appear openly in the theater of the world as a witness of the sober truth.” (Galileo Galilei, Dialogue)

Jump to:
CHURCH POSITION ON EVOLUTION
GOSPEL TEACHINGS AGAINST EVOLUTION
GOD DIDN’T USE EVOLUTION
VIDEOS
BOOKS
ARTICLES
RESOURCES
QUOTE COMPILATIONS ON CREATION DOCTRINES

Introduction

“O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.” (2 Nephi 9:28)

“In the first place, I wish to go back to the beginning—to the morn of creation. There is the starting point for us to look to, in order to understand and be fully acquainted with the mind, purposes and decrees of the Great Eloheim, who sits in yonder heavens as he did at the creation of the world. It is necessary for us to have an understanding of God himself in the beginning. If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong we may go wrong, and it will be a hard matter to get right.” -Joseph Smith, King Follett Sermon

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a several-hundred-year history of standing against evolution, but today some members call for a secularization of the church, including an acceptance of evolution as an explanation for the origin of man. Not only is human evolution scientifically impossible, it is theologically the opposite of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God did not use evolution!

On this page I will share many resources to promote truths of creation including doctrinal teachings and scientific evidences. When studying the evidence, it becomes clear that

  • The flood of Noah was worldwide, just as the book says.
  • Adam was the first man, and was a direct son of God (not a descendant of hominids).
  • There was no death before the fall. Mankind did not evolve from a common ancestor with animals. God created various species in the beginning.
  • God made the Earth in 7 days. An old Earth is a fabrication of men and is not in alignment with prophetic teachings or precise science. These may be 1000-year periods as suggested by several scriptures. The 1000:1 ratio of God’s day is evident in Adam dying within a 1000-year period, in the day he ate the fruit. 
  • Prophets of the restoration have taught consistently for 200 years from Joseph Smith to the present against evolution.

CHURCH POSITION ON EVOLUTION

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints basing its belief on divine revelation, ancient and modern, proclaims man to be the direct and lineal offspring of Deity.” (The Origin of Man, 1909 First Presidency) 

Some essays which have recently appeared on church web pages which take an open approach to evolution include:

Surely multiple opinions among church members are allowed. While the above pages represent some of these views, they do not carry the same doctrinal weight as scripture or First Presidency statements.

Several signed First Presidency statements have been given to the saints::

  • 1909 First Presidency Statement: The Origin of Man https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/02/the-origin-of-man?lang=eng. The preface on this page describes the importance of this statement: “In the early 1900s, questions concerning the Creation of the earth and the theories of evolution became the subject of much public discussion. In the midst of these controversies, the First Presidency issued the following in 1909, which expresses the Church’s doctrinal position on these matters.”

When Elder Boyd K. Packer heard the claim that the church has no position on evolution, he responded: “Twice the First Presidency has declared the position of the Church on organic evolution. The first, a statement published in 1909 entitled The Origin of Man was signed by Presidents Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund. The other, entitled Mormon View of Evolution, signed by Presidents Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley, was published in 1925. It follows very closely the first statement, indeed quotes directly from it.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Law and the Light, Book of Mormon Symposium, BYU, 30 October 1988)

Note that a certain 1910 statement  exists which calls for openness to the possibility of human evolution, but this statement merely appeared in a church publication, and the author of it is unknown. This statement has been erroneously hailed by some as a First Presidency statement, when no evidence exists to support this claim.

Note that a certain 1931 statement exists about simply leaving questions of science to the scientists, but this statement has never been published by the church to the saints.

We can say with confidence that the most authoritative statements from leaders of the restored church have been against evolution theory, even though taking this view is not essential for church membership.

I go into much greater detail on these things in my books which you’ll find later in this page.

GOSPEL TEACHINGS AGAINST EVOLUTION

Scriptures and prophets of the restoration from Joseph Smith to the present have consistently taught messages about the creation which do not align with modern science claims.

Some themes in these teachings include:

  • No birth death before the fall of Adam & death entering the world as a consequence of sin.(Nephi 2:22; Romans 5:12-14; 8:21-22; 1 Cor. 15:21-22, 45)
  • Adam is the physical, not just spiritual, offspring of God. (Luke 3:38)
  • Adam as a real person, & Eden as a real place on this Earth.
  • The Fall of Adam impacting the whole world, including plants and animals. (Gen. 3:17-20)
  • God’s direct involvement in the creation.
  • Earth has a temporal lifespan of 7000 years (not billions). (D&C 77:6-7, 12)
  • A creation of a shorter duration than is commonly advocated. Each day of creation probably as 1000-year periods because a day to God is 1000 years to man. (JST 2 Peter 3:8; Facs. 2 Fig. 1; Abr. 3:6-11)
  • Adam was the first man and the first flesh on Earth. (D&C 84:16)
  • Temporal and spiritual things should not be separated. (D&C 29:34)
  • Nature proves the existence of God. (Ps. 19:1)
  • Animals only reproduce after their kind. (Gen. 1; 6; 7; Moses 2)
  • The flood of Noah was worldwide. (JST 2 Peter 3:5-7; Gen. 1:1-10; Abe. 1:24; Moses 8:3; Ether 2:1-3; 6:4)
  • Adam and the patriarchs lived long lifespans, hundreds of years.
  • The First Presidency statements of 1909 and 1925 declare man to be the “direct and lineal offspring of Deity” and that “It is held by some that Adam was not the first man upon this earth, and that the original human being was a development from lower orders of the animal creation. These, however, are the theories of men.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/02/the-origin-of-man?lang=eng)

It is no wonder that President Benson taught, “the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ [and] confounds false doctrines.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 132).

If you’d like to explore the 100s of teachings of Latter-day prophets expounding on science-related doctrines and surrounding controversies, visit these quote collections compiled by the Joseph Smith Foundation: https://josephsmithfoundation.org/faqs/category/science/. 

GOD DIDN’T USE EVOLUTION

There are many possibilities for how God carried out the creation. However, teachings of the restoration, and many voices in the science community have given us a more clear message on how the creation works.

We suggest a plain interpretation of scripture, that God created various life forms, and that God created man in His own image. As the 1909 and 1925 First Presidency statements say, man is the “direct” “lineal” “offspring” of God.

With God as creator, the mechanisms of evolution become redundant, and perhaps even cruel and wasteful. There are more inspired studies and doctrines on man’s origin!

Sometimes popular theories are wrong, and trying to combine them with gospel teachings to help others can result in only short-term solutions.

Many questions can be raised about the plausibility of God using evolution. For example:

  • Does God need that long to create? Jesus did many instantaneous miracles.
  • Isn’t evolution cruel? Did man’s creation come from millions of years of death?
  • Wasn’t evolution made by atheists to avoid God?
  • Doesn’t evolution violate known laws of science like entropy and genetic limits?
  • Why do we need evolution to explain man’s origin if we know he was the “direct lineal offspring of God” (1909 First Presidency) and that Adam was a son of God (Luke 3:38)?
  • How would man be a child of God if Adam’s dad was a hominid?
  • Doesn’t evolution’s old earth deny catastrophic / rapid / miraculous events like the flood of Noah?
  • Evolution requires many scriptures to not be taken literally, including the order of creation described in multiple locations. Would God confuse us?
  • Haven’t prophets of the restoration taught against evolution for 200 years?

When we try to mesh worldly theories with divine revelations from God, we often get a confusing mess. The truth is much simpler when we place God at the center, and take his word seriously.

VIDEOS

Evolutionists Claim that First Presidency Statements ‘Don’t Confirm or Deny’ Evolution. Really?! by Nate Richardson (26m)

Issues with Church History Organic Evolution Web Page, Doctrinal and Scientific by Nate Richardson (1h 29m) 

Leave Science to the Scientists? Analysis of the 1931 Quote, & Contextual Teachings on Evolution by Nate Richardson (34m)

Proof the 1910 Statement Suggesting Possibility of Human Evolution was not by the First Presidency (9m)

Evolutionists Promote Sequence of Creation Opposite the Bible! Implications for Latter-day Saints by Nate Richardson (17m)

Evolution and Creation – LDS Prophets and Apostles Doctrinal Proclamations and Statements compiled by Vince Newmeyer (23m)

Rebuttals to the 2023 Deseret Book Pro-Evolution “Let’s Talk About Science and Religion” Book by Nate Richardson (3h)

Podcast on Mormon Renegade about Let’s Talk Book (3h)

Podcast on Zion Media about Let’s Talk Book (1h)

The Joke’s on Evolution! Poking the Beastly Theory with Memes, Quotes & Basic Facts by Nate Richardson (50m)

Genesis Impact – Notes Highlighting Evidence Against Hominids & Other Evolution Claims by Nate Richardson (12m)

Dinosaurs in Scripture (Scientific, Biblical, & Latter-day Saint Teachings) by Jeremy Michel (71m)

UM Guide: Fossils Don’t Need Evolution: Highlights from Universal Model Science Ch. 11 & 12 by Nate Richardson (45m)

Universal Model Science Vol. 2 Intro (2m)

UM Hydroplanet Intro (5m)

UM Guide: The Hydroplanet Disproves Evolution: Highlighting Universal Model Science Ch. 5 & 7 (152 pages) by Nate Richardson (3h)

UM Guide: Geology of the Worldwide Flood Disproves Evolution: Highlighting Universal Model Science Ch. 6 & 8 by Nate Richardson (1.5h)

Interview on UM Flood Geology on Mormon Renegade (2h)

Creation Science Documentaries (Links Page)

Dragons or Dinosaurs? Presentation Highlights (8min Video)

BOOKS 

Free eBooks (many also available as paperbacks):

Who Needs Evolution When You’ve Got the Restoration? An Inspired Approach to Science & Religion by R. Nathan Richardson. Features doctrinal & scientific rebuttals to the 2023 “Let’s Talk About Science and Religion” pro-evolution book published by Deseret Book.

Evolution Challengers: Highlights & Commentary on Great Creation Science Teachers by R. Nathan Richardson.  

The Joke’s on Evolution! Poking the Beastly Theory with Memes, Quotes & Basic Facts by R. Nathan Richardson. (Non-denominational edition here.)

Fossils Don’t Need Evolution: Highlights from Universal Model Science Ch. 11 & 12 by R. Nathan Richardson.

The Hydroplanet Disproves Evolution: Highlighting Universal Model Science Ch. 5 & 7 by R. Nathan Richardson.

Geology of the Worldwide Flood Disproves Evolution: Highlighting Universal Model Science Ch. 6 & 8 by R. Nathan Richardson.

A Worldwide Flood: A Brief Review of the Evidence and Support for a Global Deluge in the Days of Noah by Darren Andrews. This book includes scientific, Biblical, & Latter-day Saint teachings.

Creation Doctrines of the Restoration: God’s Methods & The Impossibility of Evolution Theory by R. Nathan Richardson (This is included in my book ‘Who Needs Evolution.’)

Dr. Dino Battles Evolution Theory: Highlights & Commentary on the Legendary Creation Science Seminars of Dr. Kent Hovind by R. Nathan Richardson. (This book is included in the book ‘Evolution Challengers.’) (A Non-denominational edition of my Dr. Hovind writings is here.)

Dinosaurs in Scripture by Jeremy Michel, a Latter-day Saint author. This book features scientific, Biblical, & Latter-day Saint teachings.

Prophets vs Evolution Advocates: Presentation Slides of Daniel Burdett, a Latter-day Saint author.

Man: His Origin & Destiny by President Joseph Fielding Smith. This book features many teachings against Darwinian evolution. This page shows analysis, quotes, and the full text.

A Worldwide Flood: A Brief Review of the Evidence and Support for a Global Deluge in the Days of Noah by Darren Andrews, a Latter-day Saint author.

In the Beginning: Textbook by Walt Brown. This page features the contents, PDF, and a link to buy the paperback. Brown is a protestant.

Dinosaurs in Scripture by Jeremy Michel, a Latter-day Saint author. This book features Scientific, Biblical, & Latter-day Saint Teachings.

Science & Religion: Resolving the Conflict by David Barker, a Latter-day Saint author. This is a non-denominational 524 page book. 

God’s Grand Design: A 14-part Class by Josh Whitney. This page features PowerPoints, audio, and class notes. Josh is a pastor from Draper Utah at The Rock Church. He shares his class on evidence for creation and the flood.

Books for Purchase:

Universal Model: A New Millennial Science by Dean Sessions, a Latter-day Saint author. The ‘UM’ is a textbook series featuring thousands of academic citations, hundreds of experiments and discoveries, and many other scientific evidences against evolution the old Earth, and related topics.

Water: Another Testament of Christ by Russ Barlow, a Latter-day Saint author. This book teaches both doctrine and science.

The Token of the Bow: Enoch, Noah and the Rainbow by Robert L. Wright, MTS, PhD, a Latter-day Saint author. This book is non-denominational.

Doctrinal Foundations of the Creation of Life by Lee H. Pearson, a Latter-day Saint author who has a PhD in physics.

Using the Book of Mormon to Combat Falsehoods in Organic Evolution by Clark Peterson, a Latter-day Saint author.

ARTICLES


Articles on Creation Doctrines

Featured:

Additional: 

Articles on Scientific Evidences for Creation

Featured: 

Additional: 

RESOURCES

 

Resources on Creation Doctrines

  • Book “This Eternal Earth” by Rodney Turner – probably the foremost book on creation doctrines.
  • Book “Doctrinal Foundations of the Creation of Life” by Lee H. Pearson, PhD (An LDS View & Scientific Evidence)
  • Website CreationDoctrine.wordpress.com – here I’ve compiled a few basic resources against evolution science, apart from my flagship website RichardsonStudies.com.
  • Website: https://lds.scienceelevated.com

Resources on Creation Science

  • ScienceElevated.com by Vince Newmeyer
  • Creationism.org free books: https://creationism.org/books/index.htm
  • DrDino.com by Kent Hovind
  • Universal Model Science Textbooks (UniversalModel.com)
  • Science vs Evolution by Vance Farrell (EvolutionFacts.com)
  • In the Beginning, textbook by Walt Brown (Details)
  • Of Pandas and People
  • Politically Incorrect Guide book series:
    • PI Guide to Darwinism by Jonathan Wells
    • PI Guide to Science by Bethell
    • PI Guide to Pandemics by Mosher
    • PI Guide to Global Warming & Environmentalism by Horner
    • PI Guide to Climate Change by Morano
  • Books by Jonathan Wells
  • Books by Stephen Meyer
  • Books by Michael Behe
  • Science and Religion: Reconciling the Conflicts by David Barker
  • Book “Bones of Contention.” Refutes leading hominid bone claims in detail.
  • Book “From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics and Racism in Germany” by Richard Weikart.
  • Website CreationDoctrine.wordpress.com – here I’ve compiled a few basic resources against evolution science, apart from my flagship website RichardsonStudies.com.

QUOTE COMPILATIONS ON CREATION DOCTRINES

JosephSmithFoundation.org Science resources: See the Joseph Smith Foundation FAQs on science page. Their 40 magnificent articles compiling over 700 pages of teachings from the prophets against evolution are as follows. These pages can be found by a simple search of the titles below, or if you’re using the PDF / ebook of this book, click the links below: