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Most scientists would agree that there are numerous mysteries about the natural world yet to be discovered.  Most would agree that the way to discover those mysteries is with rigorous scientific research.  And most would also agree that God has nothing to do with uncovering the mysteries of the natural world.  On this last point they are wrong.

The best scientist is someone who carries out rigorous research AND honors the Creator.  All too often God’s role is given short shrift in our increasingly secular society.  I am certain that humanity would have advanced far beyond its current level of understanding if science had more fully reverenced the Creator and petitioned His help.  

What diseases might have been cured or what laws of nature might have been uncovered?  If the scientific community had moved toward God rather than away from Him, we might have cured ravenous diseases like Cancer, HIV, and multiple sclerosis.  We might have solved our energy problems with the discovery of Cold Fusion.  And we might have unlocked the hidden secrets of the subatomic world and been on our way to uniting the forces of nature (e.g., electromagnetism, gravity, and strong & weak atomic forces) into one Grand Unified Theory (GUT), a discovery that would bring endless possibilities.

Instead we wander around in darkness with only frequent, small bursts of light to show the way.  We could turn on the flood lamps of discovery if the scientific community reverenced the Creator and sought His guidance, but this will not happen because science has made a conscious decision to preclude God.  Yes, science has rejected the greatest source of truth and light.

Here is what the prophet Joseph Smith promised to those who turn to God in righteousness:

“He will endow you with power, wisdom, might, and intelligence, and every qualification necessary, while your minds will expand wider and wider, until you can circumscribes the earth and the heavens, reach forth into eternity, and contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah in all their variety and glory.”

Here is what Joseph Fielding Smith said about scientific truth and righteousness:

“The Lord has held in reserve for those who obey Him this great blessing of the fullness of truth, and through obedience it is received and in no other way. So with all their searching, with all their delving into the earth and examining of the heavens, man cannot discover the fullness of truth without submission to the principles of the gospel and placing their lives in harmony with the Holy Spirit and walking in obedience to the commandments of the Lord. There is no other way in which all truth may be obtained.”

Rather than embracing these principles, science has rejected them, and by so doing has forfeited blessings of knowledge and truth. But wait. There's more. By purging all recognition of the Creator from its theories and discoveries, what has secular science invoked?  A Creator who is displeased with science.

Joseph F. Smith wrote:

“In all the great modern discoveries in science, in the art, in mechanics, and in all material advancement of any age, the world says, “We have done it.”  The individual says, “I have done it,’ and he gives no honor or credit to God. Now I read in the revelations through Joseph Smith, the prophet, that because of this, God is not pleased with the inhabitants of the earth, but is angry with them because they will not acknowledge his hand in all things.”

Indeed, to be skilled in scientific and scholarly endeavors is good, if one hearkens unto the counsels of the Lord.  Those of us who are learned but do not hearken unto the counsels of the Lord, are ever learning without coming to a knowledge of the truth.

 


Comments

Jeff G
03/11/2009 11:15

I think you should be a little more careful about distinguishing the content of a scientific theory from the discovery of a scientific theory from the justification of a scientific theory.

It true that God is not allowed in the content of a theory, for an appeal to miracles is more a lack of an explanation than anything else.

It is also true that appeals to God for the justification of a theory are not allowed for it is based too much in the unverifiable and variable words and beliefs of men. The justification of a theory is otherwise known as the scientific method (or methods since there is no one single method).

As for the discovery of a theory, I know of no argument why God can't or shouldn't be allowed. The church has long taught that all the great scientists from the Enlightenment on were inspired, whether they knew it or not.

And isn't this really what the Smith's were arguing for, that we allow God to guide in the discovery of truth? As far as I can tell, there is little if any disagreement between the two camps.

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John C. link
03/11/2009 12:02

Dave,
How do you know that God isn't pleased with secular science?

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Dave C.
03/11/2009 12:05

My book Truth & Science is about how the Light of Christ inspires secular discovery, so I agree with you that God guides discovery. My concern, rather, is with the lack of recognition and acknowledgement of God in science. He has been playing a major role in scientific discovery, but science has increasingly driven him out. It is very unfashionable to mention God in a scientific paper or a scientific conference. This is unfortunate. I don't think that scientists should be hypothesizing God (that is not science), but they should be recognizing Him as was done during the scientific revolution and to a lesser extent the enlightenment.

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Dave C.
03/11/2009 12:12

John C.,

Science is very secularized. In Truth & Science I trace this secularization from its roots in the 17th century enlightenment to today. Moreover, given the deism, agnosticism, and atheism that is prevelant in science, scientists are less likley to petition God for help and thank Him for help, which does occur.
So, as JF Smith pointed out, "God is not pleased with the inhabitants of the earth, but is angry with them because they will not acknowledge his hand in all things." This is largely where science is today.

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Jared* link
03/11/2009 18:34

I'm not against acknowledging God, but I guess I woud prefer the New Testament "in secret" approach.

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Bingotipp link
05/11/2009 06:18

Whatever we do we must take the nature in our consideration and try to do everything according tot he desire of God.
As he creates all of us and we want to create the nature according to his will instead than demolishing it.

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