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Show 275 Dr. Henry Eyring -4- and Dr. John A. Widtsoe. In my defense I have to say that I quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith, Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, Joseph F. Smith and his counselors, Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt and others. Four of these held the keys of the Priesthood and revelation for the Church, the others were taught under the guidance of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Moreover, I backed what they had to say by the revelations in the Standard Works of the Church which we have received as the word of the Lord. Beyond such eminent testimony there was no need for me to go. You also said: "It would be instructive to have President Smith comment on 'The Earth and Man,‘ by Dr. James E. Talmage, delivered from the tabernacle August 9, 1931, and published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." I assure you that it would have been a pleasure to have commented on that talk. No one is more familiar with it and how it came to be published than I, and I can state positively that it was not published by the Church, nor by the approval of the Authorities of the Church. There are some circumstances concerning this discourse wnich I think it is hardly proper for me to write inasmuch as the First Presidency, one of whom was President David O. McKay, gave the answer to Dr. Sterling B. Talmage in reply to an inquiry from him, which, in my opinion, sets forth the facts as I have stated them. I suggest that you write Dr. Sterling B. Talmage and ask him to permit you to read this communication from the First Presidency, Presidents Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. , and David O. McKay, dated December 19, 1935. I understand that some of the things taught by Dr. Widtsoe in his M.I.A. lessons are no longer held as acceptable theories even in the scientific world. So far as his articles on "Evidences and Reconciliations" are concerned, I would be happy to discuss them with you personally, if we could do so calmly. Likewise some of the views of Dr. James E. Talmage in this memorable diSCOurse and others of his writings. It might be of considerable-interest. So far as the evidence is concerned of the "Radio-active clocks," perhaps it might be possible for you and me to come to some common understanding as to the exceeding length of time it takes for the uranium, thorium and other elements to decompose. We might agree to change the viewpoint of their beginning. From what I have read it appears that the scientists look upon these elements as having been placed on the earth in their virgin, or creative state, when the earth was formed, and have been slowlyfi but consistently, disintegrating ever since. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and it is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants, (Section 93:33.) that the elements are eternal, I can readily believe that when the earth was formed, the Lord brought the elements together and placed them in the earth wisely, and in such a manner that they would be discovered in his own due time for the use of man. I can believe,that the gold, silver, copper, tin, carbon and every other element, including lead, if you please, were brought to their respective places of deposit in the rocks and the earth and that they had been existing from untold ages, before the earth was formed. This could be true of the radio-active elements which could have been brought here as well I have been as any other elements in the condition in which they are found. taught to believe that the Lord knows the end from the beginning and that these things have at times been revealed to his servants who were told to seal them up, for they were not to come forth until the due time of the Lord. It will be no surprise to me to discover that the Lord when he comes will do as he has said: shall Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord come, he shall reveal all things-- |
