Scientific research is important. It can help us alleviate suffering and better understand God’s creations. But what if it doesn’t match up with gospel teachings? Here’s a story.
Once there was a religious man who was also a scientist and professor.
“What do you do when science contradicts your beliefs?” a student asked.
The man thought for a moment, then walked to an empty chalkboard. “This board represents all truth,” he said.
In one corner, he made a small dot. “This represents what we understand about God.”
Then he walked to the opposite corner and made another dot. “This represents what we understand about science.”
He turned to the class. “I don’t worry if the two circles don’t overlap.”
Bottom line? One day, we’ll see how everything fits together—but it might be after a lot of revelation and research. We should keep learning about science while simultaneously strengthening our faith. As this article explains, our understanding of both has certainly evolved over the years!
President Russell M. Nelson, who is a heart surgeon, once said: “There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict only arises from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion, or both.”1
Scientific Exploration
Note
1. From this Church News article.