The Project Gutenberg EBook of Joseph Smith as Scientist, by John A. Widtsoe

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Title: Joseph Smith as Scientist A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy

Author: John A. Widtsoe

Release Date: November 18, 2010 [EBook #34362] [Last updated: March 10, 2012]

Language: English

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Produced by the Mormon Texts Project, http://bencrowder.net/books/mtp. Volunteers: Hilton Campbell, Ben Crowder, Meridith Crowder, Eric Heaps, Tod Robbins, Dave Van Leeuwen.

JOSEPH SMITH AS SCIENTIST

A CONTRIBUTION TO MORMON PHILOSOPHY

BY

John A. Widtsoe, A. M., Ph. D.

THE GENERAL BOARD
YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT
ASSOCIATIONS
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
1908

Copyright 1908 by John A. Widtsoe.

Preface

In the life of every person, who receives a higher education, in or out of schools, there is a time when there seems to be opposition between science and religion; between man-made and God-made knowledge. The struggle for reconciliation between the contending forces is not an easy one. It cuts deep into the soul and usually leaves scars that ache while life endures. There are thousands of young people in the Church to-day, and hundreds of thousands throughout the world, who are struggling to set themselves right with the God above and the world about them. It is for these young people, primarily, that the following chapters have been written.

This volume is based on the conviction that there is no real difference between science and religion. The great, fundamental laws of the Universe are foundation stones in religion as well as in science. The principle that matter is indestructible belongs as much to theology as to geology. The theology which rests upon the few basic laws of nature is unshakable; and the great theology of the future will be such a one.

"Mormonism" teaches and has taught from the beginning that all knowledge must be included in the true theology. Because of its comprehensive philosophy, "Mormonism" will survive all religious disturbances and become the system of religious faith which all men may accept without yielding the least part of the knowledge of nature as discovered in the laboratories or in the fields. The splendid conceptions of "Mormonism" concerning man and nature, and man's place in nature are among the strongest testimonies of the divine nature of the work founded by Joseph Smith, the Prophet.

This little volume does not pretend to be a complete treatment of "Mormon" philosophy; it is only a small contribution to the subject. There is room for elaboration and extension in this field for many generations to come. The attempt has been made to sketch, briefly, the relation of "Mormonism" to some features of modern scientific philosophy, and to show that not only do "Mormonism" and science harmonize; but that "Mormonism" is abreast of the most modern of the established views of science, and that it has held them many years—in some cases before science adopted them. The only excuse for the scant treatment of such an important subject is that it is as extensive as the duties of a busy life would allow. In the future, the subject may be given a fuller treatment.

Some readers may urge that "the testimony of the Spirit," which has been the final refuge of so many Christians, has received little consideration in the following chapters. This is due to the avowed purpose of the work to harmonize science and religion, on the basis of accepted science. "Mormonism" is deeply and rationally spiritual; the discussion in this volume is confined to one phase of Gospel philosophy.

The majority of the following chapters were originally published in the Improvement Era for 1903-1904 as a series of articles bearing the main title of this book. These articles are here republished with occasonal changes and additions. The new chapters have been cast into the same form as the original articles. The publication as independent articles will explain the apparent lack of connection between the chapters in this book. The statements of scientific facts have been compared very carefully with standard authorities. However, in popularizing science there is always the danger that the simplification may suggest ideas that are not wholly accurate. Those who have tried this kind of work will understand and pardon such errors as may appear. However, corrections are invited.

My thanks are due and cheerfully given the management of the Improvement Era for the help and encouragement given. I am under especial obligations to Elder Edward H. Anderson, the associate editor of the Era, to whose efforts it is largely due that this volume has seen the light of day. I desire to render my thanks also to the committee appointed by the First Presidency to read the manuscript, Elders George Albert Smith, Edward H. Anderson and Joseph F. Smith, Jr.

This volume has been written in behalf of "Mormonism." May God speed the truth!

Contents.

INTRODUCTORY.

Chapter I. Joseph's Mission and Language

THE FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF THE UNIVERSE.

Chapter II. The Indestructibility of Matter Chapter III. The Indestructibility of Energy Chapter IV. The Universal Ether Chapter V. The Reign of Law

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSE.

Chapter VI. The New Astronomy Chapter VII. Geological Time Chapter VIII. Organized Intelligence

THE LAWS GOVERNING THE INDIVIDUAL.

Chapter IX. Faith Chapter X. Repentance Chapter XI. Baptism Chapter XII. The Gift of the Holy Ghost Chapter XIII. The Word of Wisdom

THE DESTINY OF EARTH AND MAN.

Chapter XIV. The Law of Evolution Chapter XV. The Plan of Salvation

THE REGION OF THE UNKNOWN.

Chapter XVI. The Sixth Sense

THE FORCE OF FORCES.

Chapter XVII. The Nature of God

CONCLUSION.

Chapter XVIII. Joseph Smith's Education Chapter XVIV. A Summary Restatement Chapter XX. Concluding Thoughts

APPENDIX.

Chapter XXI. The Testimony of the Soil

INTRODUCTORY.

Chapter I.

JOSEPH'S MISSION AND LANGUAGE.

[Sidenote: Scientific discussions not to be expected in the Prophet's work.]

The mission of Joseph Smith was of a spiritual nature; and therefore, it is not to be expected that the discussion of scientific matters will be found in the Prophet's writings. The revelations given to the Prophet deal almost exclusively with the elucidation of so-called religious doctrines, and with such difficulties as arose from time to time in the organization of the Church. It is only, as it appears to us, in an incidental way that other matters, not strictly of a religious nature, are mentioned in the revelations.