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Mormonism and Evolution
Online Resources:
BYU Evolution Packet - Contains First Presidency statements regarding evolution. Approved by the BYU Board of Trustees.
The Search for Harmony - Now out of print but available online, this book is a collection of ground-breaking articles and essays that were originally published elsewhere. A great place to start!
"The Mormon Myth of Evil Evolution" by Michael Ash - Provides a nice overview of the history of the Church's treatment of evolution. My one caveat is that although the article mentions rumors of a rift between David O. McKay and Joseph Fielding Smith, I've never seen that rumor substantiated. In fact, the McKay biography listed below indicates that the rumor was not true.
Papers of David H. Bailey - Published and unpublished articles by a frequent author on science and Mormonism.
"The Organic Evolution Controversy" in Brigham Young University: A House of Faith - Now out of print but available online, this chapter contains some behind-the-scenes information about controversy at BYU.
"The Story of The Truth, The Way, The Life," by James B. Allen, BYU Studies vol. 33 no. 4 (1993) - Perhaps the definitive treatment of the 1931 controversy involving B.H. Roberts, Joseph Fielding Smith, and James E. Talmage. However, it unfortunately does not cover the fascinating side story of the correspondence between James E. Talmage and his geologist son, Sterling. For that, see chapter 6 of The Search for Harmony above.
BYU-Idaho Perspective - This blog post contains links to several essays by BYU-Idaho science faculty.
"Crawling Out of the Primordial Soup: A Step toward the Emergence of an LDS Theology Compatible with Organic Evolution" by Steven Peck - A BYU biologist outlines potential ways LDS theology can be compatible with evolution.
Books:
Evolution and Mormonism: A Quest for Understanding by Trent D. Stephens, Jeff Meldrum, and Forrest B. Peterson - In my view, this is the best single book available on evolution and its relationship to Mormonism.
Mormonism and Evolution by William E. Evenson and Duane E. Jeffery - In addition to the documents contained in the BYU evolution packet, this book contains additional--and largely forgotten--material from prophets and apostles along with historical context.
Can Science Be Faith-Promoting by Stan Larson - A collection of essays written by Sterling Talmage, geologist and son of Apostle James E. Talmage. Many of the essays are out of date, although a few relevant gems remain. The best part of this book is the collection of correspondences between Sterling Talmage and James E. Talmage, Joseph Fielding Smith, John A. Widtsoe, and Heber J. Grant.
Mormon Scientist: The Life and Faith of Henry Eyring by Henry J. Eyring - Published by Deseret Book, this biography should be read by every Mormon with an interest in science. See my review of the book, as well as my Q&A with its author.
David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism by Gregory A. Prince - When it comes to evolution, President McKay was probably the Church's most friendly president, as documented in this book.
