Articles and Statements by Church Leaders

James E. Talmage, Quorum of the Twelve, The Earth and Man 1931
Published and Distributed by the Church
Famous must-read article on Creation, confirming physical death before the Fall.

Steven L. Richards, Quorum of the Twelve, An open letter to College Students. 1933
A wonderful letter, published by the church in the Improvement Era, defending Galileo and Darwin and confirming the great age of the earth and the fossil record.

David O. McKay, Letter to William Lee Stokes
Famous letter distributed throughout the church by permission of the prophet confirming that even in 1957 that the church held no official position on the subject of evolution.

David O. McKay, Other letters
Includes additional confirmation that includes Mormon Doctrine and Man, his Origin and Destiny as non-approved books.

Joseph F. Smith, Editor, Improvement Era
Statement in the Priesthood Quorum's Table section coming out only months after the famous 1909 manuscript.

John A. Widsoe, from Joseph Smith as Scientist
Comments on the age of the earth

Spencer W. Kimball, from The Blessings and Responsibilities of Womanhood 1976
Describes the figuritive nature of the creation of man and woman

Brigham Young, from discourse delivered in Tabernacle, May 14, 1871 (JD vol.14 pp. 114-116) Denounces religionists who create dogmas that disagree with scientific facts.

David O. McKay, Life's Surest Anchor, BYU Devotional Address, October 30, 1956 Confirms as fact the age of the earth and that we should study without fear

J. Reuben Clark, of the First Presidency,"When Are the Writings or Sermons of Church Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Scripture?"July 1954
Elder Clark sent by the Prophet to respond to questions having arisen because of Joseph Fielding Smith's previous talk at BYU trying to promote his book, Man His Origin and Destiny. Clearly states that the responsibility is on the member and their personal relationship with the Holy Ghost and affirms that Church Leaders can and do speak unofficially.