Joseph Smith as Scientist: A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy

In Short

This work argues that the theological system established by Joseph Smith is not merely compatible with modern science but uniquely anticipatory of it. By systematically mapping Smith’s revelations—concerning the nature of matter, the indestructibility of energy, and the mechanics of the universe—onto the findings of physics and chemistry, the author proposes that "Mormonism" is a comprehensive philosophy of reality. It serves as both a devotional defense and an intellectual bridge, intended for educated believers struggling to reconcile their religious faith with the rapid advancements of scientific inquiry.

The Story

The narrative arc begins with a fundamental premise: that the conflict between science and religion is an illusion born of limited perspective. The author posits that since both science and theology seek to define the laws of the universe, they must eventually converge. The progression of the book functions as a series of thematic proofs, moving from the microscopic to the cosmic.

The author begins with the nature of matter, citing Smith’s 1833 and 1844 declarations that elements are eternal and indestructible. He argues that this teaching prefigures the scientific law of the conservation of matter. From here, the argument expands into the realm of energy, drawing parallels between the scientific concept of the luminiferous ether—the invisible medium through which light and force travel—and Smith’s descriptions of a "light" that fills the immensity of space. The book moves forward by asserting that what the world calls "miracles" are simply natural phenomena whose underlying laws have not yet been grasped by human understanding. This, the author contends, is exactly the view held by Smith, who insisted that the universe is governed by an unchangeable, predictable system of cause and effect.

As the scope widens, the author addresses the cosmic scale, comparing modern astronomical discoveries regarding the motion of heavenly bodies and the potential habitation of other planets with Smith’s teachings in the Book of Abraham. He argues that the creative "days" described in scripture represent vast, undefined periods of time, effectively harmonizing religious accounts with geological and evolutionary timescales. The focus then shifts to the individual, proposing that human life is an evolutionary process designed for the organization of intelligence. Here, the author presents the "plan of salvation" not as a mystical exception to natural law, but as the primary mechanism for that evolution.

The narrative reaches its conclusion by examining the practical application of these principles, such as the dietary guidelines known as the "Word of Wisdom." The author frames these directives as intuitive scientific insights into human chemistry, predating modern nutritional science. The book ends by situating the founding of the Church and the settlement of Utah within this framework of natural law, suggesting that the migration was guided by a wisdom that transcended the limited scientific understanding of the era. By framing Smith as a philosopher of science, the author concludes that the theology is a durable, empirical system of knowledge that will only be vindicated as human understanding of the universe continues to grow.

How It Unfolds

The reconciliation of knowledge The argument opens by establishing that all truth, whether found in a laboratory or a scripture, is inherently unified. The author addresses a specific class of reader: the student who feels the painful friction between religious devotion and academic education.

The materiality of the universe The text proceeds to categorize spirit as a highly refined form of matter, rejecting the concept of the immaterial. By establishing this baseline, the author claims that Smith’s theological assertions are grounded in the same physical reality that scientists study.

The reign of law The author outlines the concept of "order" as the supreme principle of existence. He argues that because Smith taught that blessings are predicated on specific, immutable laws, his theology functions exactly like a scientific system based on cause and effect.

The vastness of the heavens The focus shifts to astronomy, highlighting the alignment between modern views of a dynamic, multi-world universe and the revelations found in the Pearl of Great Price. The author uses this to show that the religious text anticipated the discoveries of professional astronomers.

The evolution of the soul The final movement connects the biological or social understanding of growth to a theological doctrine of eternal development. The author frames life on earth as a necessary, rational link in a grand, ongoing process of evolutionary progress.

The People

The book is dominated by the intellectual presence of Joseph Smith. He is portrayed not as a mystic, but as a "clearsighted" philosopher whose intuitive grasp of natural law consistently outpaced the scientists of his day. He wants to establish a system of truth that satisfies the modern mind, and his primary obstacle is the prevailing ignorance of his contemporaries regarding the material nature of the universe. He ends the work vindicated in the eyes of the author, elevated to the status of a pioneering, if unrecognized, scientist.

The reader is the second central figure. The author addresses them as a seeker caught between two worlds—the "man-made" knowledge of the university and the "God-made" knowledge of the pulpit. They want peace of mind, and the obstacle standing in their way is the assumption that these two domains are hostile. Through the author’s guidance, they are invited to see their faith as a scientific, rational pursuit, ultimately becoming someone who can reconcile scientific observation with religious commitment.

Finally, the scientists of the age, such as Lord Kelvin, appear as unintended witnesses for the prosecution of the author’s thesis. The author treats them with respect, wanting to show that their work validates the Prophet. He uses their findings as a mirror, showing that every time they discover a new law of nature, they are merely catching up to truths already stated by the founder of the movement.

In Its Own Voice

Describing the relationship between religious faith and the physical world:

"The theology which rests upon the few basic laws of nature is unshakable; and the great theology of the future will be such a one."

On the necessity of faith in both religion and science:

"Faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings."

On the inevitability of divine knowledge:

"As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri River in its decreed course, or turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints."

What It's Really About

The central argument is that truth is a singular, observable phenomenon that encompasses both the physical and the spiritual. It is a work of apologetics that attempts to sanitize religion by making it appear empirical and rational. The underlying theme is the quest for intellectual certainty in a rapidly changing world; it seeks to prove that faith is not a departure from reason but the highest form of it. By characterizing the universe as a hierarchy of organized, eternal intelligence, the book presents a worldview where nothing is accidental, everything is governed by law, and the ultimate purpose of existence is the systematic acquisition of knowledge.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of ideas or the intersection of theology and science will find this book a fascinating window into the early twentieth-century mind. It offers a clear, earnest look at how a specific religious community attempted to engage with the authority of the scientific method during a period of rapid modernization. The writing is precise and methodical, though the reader should be prepared for the author's intense, uncritical devotion to his subject, which can make the prose feel more like a lawyer’s brief than a neutral inquiry.

Modern readers may find the reliance on outdated scientific concepts—like the luminiferous ether—to be a significant difficulty, as the book anchors its arguments in physics that have since been superseded. Furthermore, the tone reflects the era's grand, triumphalist view of both religion and progress, which can feel jarring to contemporary sensibilities. However, for those who want to understand the specific intellectual roots of this religious philosophy, the book provides an invaluable primary source. It stays with you as a testament to the human desire to build a bridge between the cold, objective world of the laboratory and the warm, subjective world of the soul.