Science and Knowledge

On page xv of the Author’s Preface of “Earth: In the Beginning,” Eric Skousen makes the following statement :

The commandment to gain knowledge of all kinds from all sources is a serious affair. What has been discovered by scientific investigation should be part of our learning.

The commandment was not to gain knowledge but to gain wisdom. The command was not to gain all kinds of knowledge from all sources but to gain wisdom through the process of reading the “best books,” which, as we have seen, are books containing the word and counsel of God, for all others are foolishness before him. Those are the best sources.

However, to learn of man is good—if what he learns consists of real and absolute truth. However, if we trace the history of all the sciences, we find that scientific knowledge is ethereal—a windy gust of air, strong at first but gone at last.

What Are the ‘Best Books’?

This piece may be viewed as somewhat nitpicky, but then, maybe they all are. To be sure, I’m not in any way smarter than Eric Skousen. I am certainly far less formally educated than he is. And I in no way can beat his enthusiasm for the subject. But I am opinionated and many of my opinions differ from his. So, that said, here we go.

On page xv of the Author’s Preface of “Earth: In the Beginning,” Skousen makes the following statement :

“God has also commanded us to seek “out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study, and also by faith”(Doctrine and Covenants 88:118).

This is true enough, as far as it goes. However, what constitutes the “best books” is pretty well left up to the reader, at least from this bit of LDS scripture.

For instance, what one reader may think of as the “best books” may be to another reader pure bunk. One may think the best books consist entirely of the 66 books of the Bible. To another, they may be sexy Harlequin romance novels. There are certainly precedents for both.

On Assertions without Proof

On page xv of the Author’s Preface of “Earth: In the Beginning,” Eric Skousen makes the following statement :

. . . dogmatism, or “assertion without proof,” has no place in the kingdom of God or in the laboratories of science.

Dogmatism is defined as “1: positiveness in assertion of opinion especially when unwarranted or arrogant”; and “2: a viewpoint or system of ideas based on insufficiently examined premises” (www.merriam-webster.com).

Unfortunately, there is much dogmatism in the world of Christianity or there wouldn’t be hundreds, if not thousands, of versions, or sects, of said Christianity. Ideally, there would be one version as there was in the days of Jesus and the Apostles. Unity of thought, doctrine and action are common themes throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Because of dogmatic arrogance, many wars and purges have been fought over the centuries in the name of Christianity, as well as in the name of other world religions—and still are. Countless millions have found early graves because of differences of opinion regarding religious dogma.

And it is no better in the world of science.

A Proper View of God

This blog is meant to be a critical view of Eric Skousen's book, "Earth: In the Beginning."

On page xv of the Author’s Preface of “Earth: In the Beginning,” Eric Skousen makes the following statement:

Heavenly Father is above all else a God of law. He deals with cause and effect. He is a divine Master Planner who works within a framework of purpose and design.

Before anything else, I must warn the reader that the LDS view of God, or heavenly Father, is different from any other Christian religion’s viewpoint, so far as I have been able to determine. I cannot explain it here because it would take a book to do so. I’m not even able to properly encapsulate it into just a few sentences.

For the reader to develop a proper sense of the LDS view of God, you might want to contact someone of the LDS faith, preferably missionaries. This is because missionaries are often able to articulate complex ideas in a shorter amount of time than we mere members. Some people, like myself, tend to ramble.

Because the LDS view of God is so complex, I would do it injustice by trying to stuff a large basketball’s worth of information into a small thimble. However, I have found that quantum physicists come the closest (without realizing it) to what I believe is the LDS view of God (although the LDS might not realize it, either).

So, some of what you read herein might not make any sense when taken within the context of one’s preconceived belief system. Therefore, it is hoped the reader will enter these waters (i.e., pages) with an open mind and lift up your oars (i.e., predisposed opinions) and float along with the current. Perhaps things will make more sense as we enjoy the beautiful scenery passing by.