A Stark Contrast: Review of Duwayne R. Anderson, Farewell to Eden: Coming to Terms with Mormonism and Science
Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 38.2 (Summer 2005): 189-191
5 Pages Posted: 25 Jun 2013
Date Written: 2005
Abstract
Duwayne R. Anderson, a highly accomplished and acclaimed physicist specializing in fiber optics, offers readers a thorough examination of the role of science in his disillusionment from Mormonism. The book provides compelling evidence that Latter-day Saint scriptures and prophetic teachings fail to coincide with scientific findings in physics, astronomy, geology, biology, and archaeology. Anderson’s extensive use of proof-texts, while valuable as a reference to others struggling with conflicts between LDS teachings and science, is frequently ahistorical, lacking sufficient attention to the evolution, diversity, and nuances of Mormon thought. Anderson’s expectation of seamless coherence and logical consistency between twenty-first century science and statements in scripture and by Latter-day prophets, regardless of time and place of origin, is unrealistic. Anderson’s portrait reflects the organizational myth of an eternal, unchanging gospel, but fails to capture the fluidity, creativity, and dynamism of Mormon culture. Anderson shows that Mormons should not expect science and scripture to reveal the same everlasting truths. Yet, he fails to move beyond this realization. In fact, like many apologists at FARMS, Anderson confuses the claims of scripture and prophecy with those of science and history. In this respect, he reproduces the very problem he identifies. As long as Mormons and ex-Mormons continue to conflate revelation with science and history, then Mormonism will continue to be plagued with a conflict between science and religion, so ably and accessibly outlined in a new book by Duwayne Anderson.
Keywords: science, religion, Mormon, Book of Mormon, Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, evolution, scripture
JEL Classification: Z10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation