Science and the Church of Jesus Christ/Latter-day Saint approaches

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Latter-day Saint approaches to science

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• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon
• Book of Mormon and DNA evidence
• The scope of the flood of Noah: Global or local
• The concept of free will in Mormonism

Archaeology and the Book of Mormon

Summary: Critics charge that what is known about ancient American archaeology is not consistent with the Book of Mormon account. Sectarian critics often add the claim that the Bible has been "proven" true by archaeology, unlike the Book of Mormon.

Book of Mormon and DNA evidence

The scope of the flood of Noah: Global or local

Summary: How do we deal with the fact that there is no scientific evidence of a worldwide flood? How can the scriptures and prophets teach of a worldwide flood, when this contradicts the evidence? The biodiversity of plants and animals on the earth could not have occurred within the span of a few thousand years. Did the continents separate during the flood of Noah? Doctrine and Covenants 133:23–24 seems to imply that they did. How do we reconcile this to scientific fact? Didn't Brigham Young, John Taylor and Orson Pratt teach that the Flood was the baptism of the Earth?

The concept of free will in Mormonism

Summary: Science demonstrates that all interactions of matter--including all events in the human brain--are sufficiently caused by previous events. If we know enough about the laws that govern these interactions and the current state of the universe, we would be able to exactly predict any future event. Does this mean that the doctrine of "agency" or "free will" is false, since all human choices are predetermined by the laws of physics?

Alleged "discovery" of cold fusion by Utah researchers

Summary: It is claimed that the mistaken "discovery" of cold fusion in Utah reflects on either LDS gullibility, inability to do science, or dishonesty.