I look at such ideas as a way to expand possibilities and learning in my own life. Joseph F Smith said it should all be considered scaffolding used to help build the actual building of true knowledge. Since we don't have exact information on how long the creation took for example, we really don't know what the exact process is that God used. So, we can often get the same uncertainty in the scriptures as we find in science. I don't turn away from science. I use it as scaffolding to help me learn to understand the things in this world. I understand that it is based upon theory, so it doesn't phase me when it blatantly contradicts the scriptures. I know there will be unanswered questions. Rather than run away from it, I do as JFS suggested, and use it all as possible scaffolding. God doesn't condemn us for keeping an open mind on non-doctrinal things. Now, we could argue on what denotes "doctrine", however as individuals we each must make that determination for ourselves. I think there are too many members who run away from learning, because it would force them to consider new ideas that may help them accept the gospel on a higher level. I don't consider you one of those people, John, otherwise you wouldn't be on these lists discussing such things. An example: are the proper names for Jesus and God really Jehovah and Elohim? They have been standardized as such in the church for about 80 years (since 1919). However, in Joseph Smith's day, the name Jehovah was a title that was used interchangeably for Father and Son (see how Joseph used Jehovah in the Kirtland dedicatory prayer, DC 109). Most members never learn that God truly is nameless, as no name can contain all He is. The most we can do is use name-titles to describe him. I love science, as someday I will have to use it (along with math, language, art, etc) to form my own worlds. Developing and testing theories helps me to develop my critical thinking skills. These I believe are necessary to recognize truth from error, but also to help me in problem solving (which God obviously does much of). So, even though science may be far fromthe truth in some areas, accepting some ideas as theoretical scaffolding allows me to use those theories until a greater truth is found. K'aya K'ama, Gerald/gary Smith gszion1 @juno.com http://www .geocities.com/rameumptom/index.html "No one is as hopelessly enslaved as the person who thinks he's free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
JWR: > > Part of the reason I turned away from science to religion is because I > despaired of learning anything with any certainty when the foremost > authorities in almost every field disagree with fellow scientists about > really basic things. I have a real need for at least some questions to > have conclusive answers. Otherwise, life is just a constantly changing > dream bound by no laws and consequently all over the map. I know very > little "for sure," but what little I do know I have learned from the > scriptures, the modern prophets, and the testimony of the Holy Ghost. > ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
