Russell M. Nelson: Thanks be to God, not the big bang.

The big bang is widely thought to explain the origin of the universe. Even some Church members take that view, although the big bang doesn't need God. The Church itself has no official position on the big bang, but there was a recent comment about it from Elder Russell M. Nelson, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Nearly half a century as a medical doctor confirms his belief that all things, especially the human body, were divinely created:

"Scriptures declare that heaven, earth, and all things upon the earth are divinely created." (Ensign, Mar. 2008.)

In his most recent general conference talk, Elder Nelson took the time to elaborate on his belief that each organ of the human body "is a wondrous gift from God." He then gave this warning:

"Some people erroneously think that these marvelous physical attributes happened by chance or resulted from a big bang somewhere. Ask yourself, 'Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary?' The likelihood is most remote. But if so, it could never heal its own torn pages or reproduce its own newer editions!" (Ensign, May 2012.)

But it's not just the human body. To Elder Nelson "all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44.)

Those familiar with Elder Nelson's ministry weren't surprised by his big bang comment. In the past, he has consistently argued that science need not challenge faith because, for him, science affirms faith:

"Scientists in many disciplines observe ... manifestations of law and order, whether in the predictability of the tides, the phases of the moon, or the location of stars in the sky. Such law and order undergird all creation. Those laws can be discovered and defined. Their consequences can be measured. Such order bears witness of a Supreme Creator. (See Alma 30:44.)" (Ensign, Mar. 2008.)

For more than 25 years, he has warned about theories which deny man’s divine origin. He has specifically mentioned natural selection, organic evolution, and the big bang. He has even asked for volunteers to help overcome such “foolishness of men.” (Ensign, Jan. 1988.)

Elder Nelson’s April 2012 general conference remark is best understood in its larger context which includes his prior teachings. This was not the first or the only time he has talked about the origin of the earth and man. His current comment is consistent with all of his previous teachings about Creation.

We should also remember that Elder Nelson's big bang comment relates directly back to the tropical fish he mentioned at the beginning of his talk. Let us thank God, not the big bang, for the universe we live in.