Henry Eyring's Testimony

I consider myself a lover of science, a seeker of truth, and a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This could naturally explain my affinity toward Henry Eyring, an American theoretical chemist and member of my same faith.  However, it may interest you to know that subsections of the current subject of my scientific studies were founded by Dr. Eyring himself.  In fact, I've read and scrutinized his scientific publications, and his results are incorporated in my thesis work. In a somewhat analytical nostalgia (is such a jumbled emotion? yes, although my experience with it is limited!), I wish I could have studied under the tutelage of a man whom I so greatly admire.

Having studied both his professional life and his religious life, I feel compelled to share a segment of his reconciliation of science, religion, and his testimony.  It comes from Henry Eyring, The Faith of a Scientist [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967].

"I have been announced as a student of science. But I also like to think of myself as one who loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For me there has been no serious difficulty in reconciling the principles of true science with the principles of true religion, for both are concerned with the eternal verities of the Universe. . . .


So I would like to address my remarks to those who find themselves troubled by an inner conflict between the traditional teachings of the Christian faith on the one hand, and on the other the challenge of modern education to explore, to dissect and to test in the cold light of fact and demonstrated proof. I believe that many of our young people have impoverished their lives by a thoughtless denial of all aspects of the faith of their fathers in their desire to be what they call scientific and objective.

Now I am also of the opinion that some theologians have unwittingly assisted in this rebellion by taking positions so dogmatic as to stifle the honest and thoughtful inquiries of youth when they needed help and sought it. . . . Apparent contradictions between religion and science often have been the basis of bitter controversy. Such differences are to be expected as long as human understanding remains provisional and fragmentary. Only as one’s understanding approaches the Divine will all seeming contradictions disappear. Such complete understanding is to be approached as a part of the eternal progress which will continue in the life to come. In the meantime, we can only continue our quest for the balanced view that comes from weighing all evidence carefully in the search for enduring values. The road is a long one, but the outcome is assured if we are willing to travel it. . . .

Some have asked me: “Is there any conflict between science and religion?” There is no conflict in the mind of God, but often there is conflict in the minds of men. . . .

A young man said: “In high school we are taught such things as pre-Adamic men, and that kind of thing, but we hear another thing in Church. What should I do about it?”

I think I gave the right answer. I said, “In this Church, you only have to believe the truth. Find out what the truth is!”

I am happy to represent a people who throughout their history have encouraged learning and scholarship in all fields of honorable endeavor, a people who have among their scriptural teachings such lofty concepts as these: “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words light and truth.” “It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” . . .

Contemplating this awe-inspiring order extending from the almost infinitely small to the infinitely large, one is overwhelmed with its grandeur and with the limitless wisdom which conceived, created and governs it all. Our understanding, great as it sometimes seems, can be nothing but the wide-eyed wonder of the child when measured against Omniscience. . . .

For one who feels compelled, as I do, to accept the existence of the Master Architect, it is important to examine His handiwork for the light it throws on Him and on His program for His children. . . .

Now, curiously enough, there are good people who would have you believe that man, who conceives all these wonderful things, and masters them in part, is no more than the dust of the earth to which his body returns. To me, this is unbelievable. . .

If one picked up a watch far from human habitation and found it running, one would ask not only who made it, but also who wound it up. So it is with this universe. It was not wound up by chance, but by some as yet unfathomed operation of eternal law. . . .

In this universe governed and created according to eternal laws, is it likely that the most intelligent creatures in it are here by chance? The great measure of the Restored Gospel is that the Creator not only made the world but that He made it for His children and that He is still actively interested in a program which was not completed two thousand years ago, as is sometimes supposed. . . .

May the Lord bless us to appreciate the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the wonderful message that he brought to us with the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. May we live and understand it in a big way and not worry about the small things that we do not understand very well, because they will become clearer as we go on. . . . The things we believe are only a part of the things that are yet to be revealed, and if we do our part, our position is sure."

Dr. Henry Eyring, Priestly Medalist 1975, C&EN