Devlin Staples
READING RESPONSE
In class we discussed extensively the creation and conflict between science and
religion. While many believe the two do not belong together, we know that this is untrue.
Russell M. Nelson explained this as he dedicated the Life Science Building on the BYU
Campus, “There is no conflict between science and religion," he said. "Conflict only
arises from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion, or both. Whether
truth comes from a scientific laboratory or by revelation from the Lord, it is compatible”.
The prophet’s words were impactful for me as I am growing in knowledge. While
many other religions have strong positions that usually conflict with science, the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is open to all explanations.
In my own experience, I am currently taking a course on Dinosaurs, and we
similarly have been covering this conflict and union of Science and Religion. Equal to
what brother Wilcox has been discussing, while not all has been revealed spiritually, lots
of scientific evidence provides us with a window into how the world came to be. I know
that more scientific knowledge provides us with more opportunities to appreciate how
the Lord works. Dinosaurs are one of the paths to understanding his methods.
The New Era February 2016 says, “There have been no revelations on this
question, and the scientific evidence says yes. There were no human deaths before…”
This was a great thought because it has been the topic of discussion for me in both
class and in my own personal gospel conversations. I have a friend that is adamant that
Dinosaurs cannot be because of no death before the fall. This quote was a great
Devlin Staples
addition because it shows that really the human death is the important distinction to
understand a bit more of how the earth was formed.