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Show l73 who provided a special two page introduction to it. But for many Mormon educators, scientists and students, it represented a very serious threat. Because Eyring had distinguished himself in science and was also a faithful Mormon, many turned to him for advice and support. Shortly after the publication of the book, he recalls the following sequence of events: When President Joseph Fielding Smith's book, Man, His Origin and Destiny, was published, someone urged it as an Institute Course. One of the Institute teachers came to me and said, 'If we have to follow it exactly, we will lose some of the young people.' I said, 'I don't think you need to worry.I I thought it was a good idea to get the thing out in public, so the next time I went to Sunday School General Board meeting, I got up and bore testimony that the world was four or five billion years old, that evidence was strongly in that direction. That week, Brother Joseph Fielding called and asked me to come in and see him. I said, 'Brother Smith, I have read your books and know your point of view, and I understand that is how it looks to you. It just looks a little different to me.‘ He said as we ended, 'Well, Brother Eyring, I would like to have you come in and let me talk with you sometime when you are not quite so excited.' As far as I could see, we parted On the best of terms. The implications and questions which arose with the publication of President Smith's book were being considered at the highest levels. Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Council of the Twelve Apostles asked Eyring for his opinion of it. In a letter of response, Eyring expressed admi- ration for some of the things it contained but pointed out that it "contained many serious scientific errors."37 The letter, which was widely circulated, brought some interesting response. Lowell Bennion, Director of the Church's Institute of Religion at the University of Utah wrote Eyring: "Thanks to the courtesy of Elmo (Morgan), I read a copy of your letter to Adam S. Bennion and wish to congratulate you on the clar- ity, integrity, and humility which are evident throughout."38 When President Smith obtained a copy of the letter a few months |
