Jared's Reconciliation Notebook

• The Other Side of the Coin The term "evolution" carries a lot of baggage and can mean several things. Care should be taken to be specific when describing objections to evolution.
• Random Until Further Notice The concept of evolution being based on chance and undirected is disturbing to some. The role of chance is important to many disciplines, not just evolution. However, our inability to detect purpose does not necessarily mean it does not exist.
• ID and 75 cents Will Buy You a Cup of Hot Chocolate The intelligent design movement is gaining popularity as a way to bring God into science. Although its concepts may be helpful in forming a religious view, its ability to further scientific understanding is doubtful. However even under the best of circumstances, intelligent design cannot establish a special creation for humans. Intelligent design is not helpful where the theological stakes (for many) are highest.
• Adam and Eve: How? The human body shows no evidence of having been created in a special separate creation. In fact scientific evidence strongly supports common ancestry with other apes. Whatever the ultimate truth is concerning the creation of man, these evidences must be accounted for. Two potential scenarios are proposed.
• Adam and Eve: When and Where? The current understanding of human evolution is discussed. The current evidence poses problems for placing the historical Adam and Eve in time and place. This is especially so if they are placed in America 6,000 years ago.
• The B. H. Roberts Episode Outlines the circumstances surrounding the controversy in 1931 over pre-Adamites.
• Amylase and the Power of Molecular Biology Summarizes research on the DNA sequences that regulate the production of amylase in saliva. This is just one (unexpected) example of how molecular biology supports common descent.
• Blood, The Fall, and Intelligent Design Examines contradictory arguments against evolution.
• B.H. Roberts and Evolution Looks at objections to evolution raised by Roberts and their rebuttal.
• Joseph Smith and Recycled Planets In LDS circles, a common explanation for the fossil record is that the earth is made of recycled planets. The root of this folk-doctrine is examined.
• Intelligent Design: A Personal View Discusses my objection to intelligent design as an approach to science and political tool.
• Adam and Eve: Obscuring a Plain and Precious Truth? Provides an overview of an unofficial doctrine regarding the creation of Adam and Eve.
• Thinking About the Fall, Part 1 Thoughts on what is real and what is figurative in the Garden of Eden narrative.
• Thinking About the Fall, Part 2 Some thoughts on how the story of the Fall might be reconciled with scientific findings.
• Seven Thousand Years of the Earth's Continuance Outlines several approaches to D&C 77
• Joseph F. Smith: A Tale of Two Letters, Part 1 The circumstances and text of Joseph F. Smith's 1911 letter in the Improvement Era.
• Joseph F. Smith: A Tale of Two Letters, Part 2 Joseph F. Smith's 1911 letter to the Juvenile Instructor.
• Origin of the Origin of Man Provides some background information on the drafting of the 1909 First Presidency Statement.
• Elder Boyd K. Packer on Evolution A collection of statements by Elder Packer and my general analysis.