Teaching Choral Concepts

Review

     This intriguing book offers a new perspective on man's involvement in the creation of the earth, the evolution of life, and eternal progression. The nature of man's progression from mortality to godhood is explored from a Latter-day Saint perspective. The author's profound understanding of the scriptures and his grasp of the available scientific evidence provides a host of concepts and insights. 

Each chapter looks at a different aspect of the inter-relationship between science and religion. The author discusses the typical viewpoints of creationists and the evolutionists, demonstrating that both are extreme positions. He shows that proponents of both special creation and evolution ignore a great deal of the harmony that exists between the two theories. Examples of the propaganda used in some current biology textbooks to give students an improper bias towards evolution are presented, while another chapter gives evidence that the Bible is historically accurate, which lends validity to its doctrinal teachings on creation. The author shows that parallels exist between the account of the creation found in the Bible and the creation according to science. He also examines complex behavior patterns which do not seem to be adequately explained by believers in evolutionary genetics. Another chapter discusses the use of logic and shows both the benefits and the dangers which exist in making assumptions. 

Chapter eight emphasizes that faith is an integral part of all learning, in preparation for the author's discussion of various elements of eternal progression. The author investigates the possible effects of relativity on resurrected beings and discusses additional evidence of the existence of God. 

He explains how the atonement of Jesus Christ satisfies the demands of justice and shows that Christ is the only redeemer. He investigates light, intelligence, and the glory of God, presenting evidence that God is aware of his creations throughout the universe. 

This carefully documented book is for all LDS readers who wish to gain greater insights into man's creation, progression and exaltation, regardless of their background in the sciences. 

Table of Contents

Forward, 7

1. Viewpoints, 11
Two Points of View, 11
Evolutionists, 12
Matter, Space and Time, 14
Creationists, 17
Joseph Smith as a Scientist, 18
Our Educational Limits, 21
Speciation, One Form of Evolution, 23

2. The Creation of Life, 26
The Origin of Species, 26
Mutations, 28
Evolutionary Jumps, 30
Longevity of Man, 32
Adam as a Creator, 33
Pre-Historic Man, 35
The Final Quarter of the Senior Year, 37

3. Biased Biology, 39
Biology Texts, 39
Catastrophism, 41
Vestigial Organs, 42
Embryology, 43
Biochemistry, 44

4. The Bible and History, 47
Historical References, 47
The Discovery of Ebla, 48
Eber, 49
The Sons and Grandsons of Ebrium and Eber, 49
What's in a Name?, 50
Historical Sources, 51
Elders in Ebla, 53
The Sumerians, 55

5. In the Beginning, 57
The First Period of Creation, 57
The Second Period of Creation, 60
The Miracle of Continents, 62
Remarkable Accidents, 63
Other Earths, 65
Life on Other Earths, 66
Spontaneous Life, 67
Adam's Rib, 68

6. Instinct, 70
Genetically Controlled Behavior, 71
Why Evolution, 72
A Well Planned Operation, 73
Mini-Creations, 75
A Day of Rest?, 76
Complex Behavior, 77
Survival Skills, 78
Human Instincts, 79
Human Sexuality, 80
Homosexuality, 81

7. Assumptions and Conclusions, 84
New Concepts, 84
Dark Age Reasoning, 85
Assumptions that Simplify, 85
Assumptions that Mystify, 86
Testing Assumptions 87
False Assumptions, 87
A Perplexing Problem, 89
Reasoning of Prophets, 91

8. Faith and Knowledge, 93
Faith and Knowledge, 93
The Testimony of Socrates, 94
Research to Find God, 96
The Depth of Hell, 97

9. Eternal Progression, 99
Spirit Matter, 99
The Power of God, 100
Creatures on Other Planets, 102
Angelic Assignments, 103
Priesthood in Heaven, 104
Proof Without Certainty, 105
Certainty Without Proof, 106

10. Relativity and Resurrection, 109
Governed by Light, 109
Celestial Speed Limits, 110
The Power of Resurrection, 111
The Resurrection of Joseph Smith, 112
Atoms of Resurrection, 114
Adam and the Dust of the Earth, 114
The Ultimate Set of Wheels, 116

11. The Atonement, 117
Mysteries, 117
Receiving Revelation, 118
Traditions, 119
The Celestial Kingdom, 121
Atonement Scriptures, 122
A Righteous Judgement, 123
Parallel worlds, 124
The Laws of Heaven, 126

12. Light and Glory, 128
Forces, 128
Spiritual Eyes and Ears, 129
The Glory of God, 130
Celestial Communication, 131

13. If You Were God, 134
The Joy of Discovery, 134
The Language of Adam, 134
Earliest Writing, 135
The Confusion of Tongues, 138
Neophyte Creators, 141
Celestial Families, 143

Index, 149

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