| OCR Text |
Show 270 -z- In my judupent anyone who denies this orderly deposition of sedimnte with their built in radioactive clocks places himself in a scientifically untenable position. Actaally the antiquity of the earth was no problem for one of our firestost Latter-day Saint loaders and scientists, Brother John A. tidtsoe (see Evidences and Reconciliations, Vol. I.) It also offers not the slightest difficulty to me and to nest of my scientific L.D.S. friends. The Lord made the world in some wonderful. my that I can at best only dimly comprehend. It seems to me sacreligious to presume that I really understand him and know Just how he did it. He can only tell me in figurative speech which I dimly understand but which I expect to more completely comprehend in the Etcrnitics to some. Probably one of the most difficult problems in rcadin~ the scriptures is to decide what is to be talecn literally and 7.4.18.1: is figurative. In thisfloneotien it seems to no that the Creator must operate with facts and with an understanding which goes entirely outside of our understandinr am of our exnerienoe. Because of this, when someone builds up a system of loric, however careful and painstaking, which Jivos a positive answer to this difficult question, I can't help but wonder about it, particularly if it seems to run counter to the Creator's revelations written in the rocks. At least can't we move slowly in such mtters? Our prophets have been given to see clearly the road we should follow and can point the pathb the celestial kinrtdorz, but being human they too must walk by faith and wait and study in order to partly understand many of God's wonderful works. I can understand "Liannjis Origin and Destiny" as the work of a wrest man who is falli‘olo. It contains may serious scientific erres and much ill hLmor, which mar the many beautiful thirrfs in. it. Since the Gospel is only that which is true, this boeicwcanaot be 'more than the private opinion of ~ ‘ . * ' one 0L our great nenwtofr‘oe admired for the 'iine thingsin, itr .I find it much less satisfactory in scientific matters than the excellent writings of Erothor Tahza;:e and Brother ‘Iv'idtsce with an ich it is in frequent disagreemnt. Our scientists in noncral have no di i‘ficult;r in reconciliu: Barth History and the Gospel as presented by our scientifically trained general authorities. The concern of most L.D.;~i. scientists is as to what extent President Smith's interpretations must replace those of Brother Talxmge and of Brother Widtsoe where they fail to agree with President Smith. I hope my opinions offered for what they are worth will not seem proseuptuous. Please feel free to males such use of this letter and the enclosed material as you may choose. Both Dr. Stokes and Dr. S~.ith are devout active members of the Church and are representative of our thoughtful L.D.S. scientists. Each is willing to document hisepinions further if it would be helpful. . Sincerely yours, Henry Eyring @C)P 1' |
