Evolution, DNA, and LDS Perspectives
1. The Flawed “Tornado in a Junkyard” Analogy
A common argument against the natural formation of DNA compares it to a tornado sweeping through a junkyard and “assembling” a fully stocked library. This analogy is meant to show that assembling life by chance alone is astronomically unlikely.
What this analogy gets wrong
- Single-step fallacy: It presupposes that DNA sprang into being in a single, random event from disconnected parts.
- Misunderstanding the scientific proposition: Modern abiogenesis (origin of life) theories do not claim that a functional DNA molecule formed instantly from raw chemicals. Instead, they propose a stepwise, incremental process unfolding over vast periods of time, and across vast numbers of planets, in vast numbers of galaxies.
- Underestimating the scale: When multiplied over billions of years and across countless planets (many of which may never have hosted life, but some of which might have), the probability of simpler self-replicating molecules arising increases dramatically.
2. Stepwise Formation and Probability
Scientists generally point to incremental pathways in which simpler molecular precursors—like amino acids or RNA-like molecules—form first. These molecules then gradually develop self-replicating properties, refine error-checking mechanisms, and, over immense spans of time, evolve into the complex DNA-based lifeforms we observe today. It is the combination of time, variation, and cumulative selection that makes these processes viable in theory.
- Time: On Earth alone, we are dealing with a timescale of over 3.5 billion years of life’s history.
- Enormous trials: With untold trillions of chemical interactions occurring across the planet and potentially across many planets, the “odds” of forming key molecular building blocks are far greater than a single random event. It isn't just one trial per second it's literally 100's of billions of possible chemical reactions per milisecond that could be one of the steps in the generation of life.
- Partial improvement leads to complexity
A crucial aspect of evolution is that partial improvements can be retained if they offer any advantage—even a small one—in a given environment, which then compound in the next improvement. - Failed opportunities still lead to progress
“Failed” molecules—those that degrade quickly or never replicate—still contribute to the chemical “soup.” Their breakdown products (simple sugars, nucleotides, amino acids) can feed back into new reactions.
Just as a failed prototype in engineering can inspire the next iteration, the remnants of a failed molecular configuration may inadvertently help create a more favorable environment for other reactions.
3. Latter-day Saint Scripture and the “Preparation” Paradigm
Several passages in the Book of Abraham and Doctrine and Covenants use intriguing language about how God (or “the Gods”) brought forth life. These scriptures are the most recent accounts of the creation of Life and should be the basis of what we believe concerning these processes. Although they are not an owners manual, nor do they tell us EXACTLY how life was created they clearly demonstrate a process-oriented understanding of the creation of life:
“And the Gods said: Let us prepare the earth to bring forth grass; … and it was so, even as they ordered.”
Here, the scripture does not say God directly created grass; rather, the earth was prepared so that grass would be created.
“And the Gods said: Let us prepare the waters to bring forth abundantly the moving creatures that have life … And the Gods prepared the waters that they might bring forth great whales, and every living creature that moveth…”
“24 And the Gods prepared the earth to bring forth the living creature after his kind... even as they had said. 25 And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth the beasts after their kind ... and the Gods saw they would obey.”
Similarly, the text emphasizes preparing the environment—waters, land, and conditions—so that these creatures could “come forth.”
These scriptural passages can be read to suggest a natural process—one in which God organizes and sets laws into motion that bring about living things. The Doctrine and Covenants also testifies that God’s law governs matter and sets boundaries under which all things operate (D&C 88:42–43). LDS theology, therefore, need not be at odds with the idea of a gradual, law-driven development of life in fact our most recent scripture clearly seems to state this as what happened.
4. Special Note on the Creation of Humanity
Abraham’s record describes a different approach for humanity:
“26 And the Gods took counsel among themselves and said: Let us go down and form man in our image, after our likeness... 27 So the Gods went down to organize man in their own... male and female to form they them.”
It is only with humankind that the scripture explicitly describes a more direct and personal creation process. What did God form man from? The text does not specify, leaving much open to interpretation. Some Latter-day Saints suppose a figurative use of “dust of the earth” (Genesis 2:7); others see it as an allusion to previously existing matter or even existing earthly life-forms. However, what the scriptures actually say is Nothing about what was used to form mankind. Thus we should not insert our own opinions here but rather read the scriptures as they are given.
Furthermore, the prophet has not explicitly provided an interpretation on this point, or process so we are free to have our own opinions upon the matter. However, remember that we do know that humans are children of God, distinct from other forms of life in their spiritual identity and potential, even though we don't know how and by what their bodies were formed FROM.
5. Harmony Between Science and Faith
For many Latter-day Saints, reconciling the idea of biological evolution with religious beliefs can be approached this way:
- God as Lawgiver: LDS scripture and doctrine teach that God is the architect of eternal laws (D&C 88). If evolution and natural selection operate according to such laws, it does not exclude divine influence; it showcases a God who works through consistent, orderly processes.
- Preparation and Observation: The Book of Abraham repeatedly emphasizes that the Gods “prepared” and “observed” creation. One could interpret this as God orchestrating natural laws and conditions, then patiently overseeing the unfolding of life.
- Humility about Mechanisms: The Church has no official stance that dictates exactly how life arose on Earth—only that God is the Creator and that humans are His children. Where scripture is silent, members can exercise faith and reason. But they should not teach their OPINION as the actual doctrine of the church when it is not.
6. Conclusion: A Reasonable, Faithful Position
- Scientific Feasibility: The likelihood of life forming by purely random chance in a single moment is indeed minuscule. But science does not claim it happened that way; it points to incremental, cumulative processes operating over billions of years, subject to natural laws that God may well have established.
- Scriptural Compatibility: LDS scriptures in Abraham show repeated phrases about “preparing” the planet to bring forth life. If interpreted with an open mind, this can be seen as congruent with a natural, stepwise process rather than an instant creation.
- Divine Intervention: While the scriptures describe God’s direct role in the creation of humans, they do not detail the exact materials or process used. This leaves members of the Church with room to reconcile scientific evidence (such as common ancestry) with the truth that man is a spiritual son or daughter of Heavenly Parents.
From an apologetic standpoint, it may be more consistent to say God used natural processes—evolution, or something akin to it—to form living creatures on Earth, all under His direction and according to divine law. Man, however, is singled out for a more intimate formation process in scripture, though the details remain open-ended. Far from diminishing the role of God, such an approach can highlight His mastery over physical laws, His patient shepherding of creation, and His direct parental care for the human family.