Deseret News | Joseph Smith's teachings and modern cosmology

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Joseph Smith's teachings and modern cosmology

Mike | 10:42 a.m. Aug. 24, 2009

I guess the big bang theory is just that-a theory and theories are just guesses and not a truth.

What | 4:06 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

This writer said absolutly nothing, I hope he is better at doing his job; I wonder if he can even find the cosmos.

AN Observer | 5:55 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

A theory is just a educated guess, which "seems" to explain something, or which "appears" to explain the possiblity of something.

Which means it is NOT written in stone, it just a best guess with what we currently believe we know, or think understand.

So yes is is a best guess, since does NOT cover nor attempt to explain the ALL details,

but only a GENERAL explaination showing possibility it COULD explian atleast some the details.

One problem with the big bang is that some heavenly objects move contradictory to the theory.

Which should be a clue as to how much we DON'T know or understand.

Perhaps MORE communing with God would be a good thing.

Comments continue below

Crawfish | 6:05 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

Learn what a scientific theory is, morons. Gravity is "just a theory", too.

Calling Out Mormons | 6:09 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

Just another argument from ignorance. The good physics professor is essentially saying that because there are questions in cosmology, therefore you can continue to believe the hocus pocus, superstitious nonsense taught by Joseph Smith.

Bah! Humbug!

If you Mormons are going to take a stand on something, you are going to have to defend it positively instead of poking holes in science and other ideas that contradict your theology, and then falling back on the faith thing! You fire the guns of the skeptics against science, and then retreat back into "faith". What a cowardly approach!

RE - AN Observer | 5:55 p.m | 6:12 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

["Perhaps MORE communing with God would be a good thing."]

The existance of God is a theory too.

Grammar is not your strong point | 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

Wow, reading some of these posts, I fear for the future of America. I can't figure out what half of you are saying! Do you have a point?

I challenge any anti-Mormon critic to name me one scientific theory that contradicts the teachings of the Church. Now, when I say that, I mean the actual doctrine of the Church, not Brother Pontificator's opinion in Sunday School.

The truth is, the LDS Church is one of the few that is willing to admit that we don't know everything about how the universe/earth/etc. was created. We do know, however, that their are natural laws to the universe that God follows. Why? Because he's perfect. If he violated his own laws, wouldn't that make him not perfect?

In short, I, personally, see zero contradiction between LDS Doctrine and science. I think a certain Mr. Talmage would agree with me.

And by the way: theories are intended to be dis-proven. That's the nature of real science: question everything.

Faith | 10:19 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

True sciences will never contridict true religion,many people in the world today will continue and wanting to see first before they
believe.
The savior stated that blessed are they that believe but have not seen.
This arguement are for those that believe..for those that do not believe will just have to wait for the perfect day.

Andy Fraknoi | 9:21 a.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Speaking of cosmology, I just love Mr. Smith's doctrine (or is it just his opinion?) about the planet Kolob. Can't wait to hie away there.

@To crawfish | 9:51 a.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Sorry, but gravity is a reality. Some aspects of how it works may be theorys. But not to worry, it works for you as well as for everyone.

@Faith, what is true religion, how is it different from false religion, how can you prove the difference, who gets to decide, is it a matter of perception, it is all man made religion made to support man's superstitions and fears. If makes you a better citizen of human society, go for it. But don't think you know something or more than others, your believes are just that, they are your beliefes and nothing more. There is contridiction.

RE: @To crawfish | 5:33 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

"Gravity", is a force we observe one body SEEMS to exert on another,

and decideed to call "gravity"

WE KNOW some the properties of it,

BUT WE DO NOT KNOW what this "observed force" is.

WE have NO ABSOLUTE understanding or knowledge of what it is.

I am NOT sure bringing up gravity proves anything one way or the other.

Hoever you can prove GOD's existance, the same way you can proive "gravity"'s existance. By observing GOD's effect on earth on people and so forth.

And there is NO CONTRADICTION of GOD'S TRUE RELIGION/TRUE FAITH with science.

NOR is science truth or contain all truth. science is simply a tool for discovering knowledge.

Knowledge which is constantly being replaced with newer knowledege, newer ideas, newer theories, newer hypotheses,

while man-made religion can and does conflict with truth.

GOD's TRUTH will NEVER contradict, or it would NOT be truth, And GOD would NOT be GOD.

most else you have said about religion is simply your opinion or view.

If there's a God then their MUST be ONE TRUE religion that DOES contain the FULLNESS of truth, that DOESN'T contradict any learned_truth.

Oh My Goodness.... | 7:19 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Didn't you folks go to school? Even BYU ("the Lord's University") teaches about the LAW of Gravity--NOT the THEORY of Gravity. Isaac Newton proved that one. Get an education! A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

RE: Oh My Goodness.... | 7:45 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

The "law of graivty" does NOT say what gravity is,

it is simply a way to mathmatically descibe it's effect on a mass by another mass.

So call it a law or whatever, we still do NOT know what gravity is,

just how mass seems to affect it.

the fact is we barely understand some of it's properties.

AN I know NOTHING in the scriptures the says there is NOT a gravitational force.

marvel | 8:26 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Great article! How did an uneducated Joseph Smith know that alcohol and tobacco were bad for the body? Brother Joseph communed with Jehovah.

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