Let?s Talk about Science and Religion

Why are science and religion often pitted against each other? Do the discoveries of science undermine Latter-day Saints’ religious beliefs or inevitably cause honest inquirers to lose their faith? In Let’s Talk about Science and Religion, scientists and BYU professors Jamie L. Jensen and Seth M. Bybee tackle these questions head-on and answer the latter with an emphatic no.

To imbue readers with the confidence that science and religion work together to reveal truth, the authors draw on research, data, and years of watching thousands of Latter-day Saint students navigate sometimes challenging scientific topics. The book first explores the nature of science and religion as different but complementary ways of knowing and then addresses several specific topics, including evolution, nature versus nurture, and environmental stewardship. Through the principles and examples in this book, Latter-day Saints can develop the skills and perspective necessary to navigate any issue that arises at the intersection of science and religion and, as Joseph Smith said, “to embrace all, and every item of truth.”

Dr. Seth M. Bybee is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in insects. He received his bachelor’s degree in conservation biology from Brigham Young University and a doctoral degree in entomology from the University of Florida. He is currently the lead principal investigator for the Genealogy of Odonata project, a multimilliondollar project funded by the US National Science Foundation.

Dr. Jamie L. Jensen is a professor of biology at Brigham Young University. She received a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in biology, both from BYU, and a doctoral degree in biology with an emphasis in science education from Arizona State University. She is also a member of the Broader Social Impacts Committee for the Human Origins Initiative at the Smithsonian.