Engineering & Technology

Quotes from General Authorities

George Albert Smith

I had the privilege of riding on one of the first bicycles that came into Salt Lake City. I talked on one of the first telephones that was installed here. I witnessed this magnificent city rise from the dusty streets in which I played as a barefoot boy. And twenty-five years ago I participated in the initial radio broadcast of this church. Each of these experiences was marvelous at the time.

But think of the great progress we have made since then. Airplanes now move three or four times faster than did the one in which I made my first flight many years ago. Recently I spoke over a small short-wave radio station in this valley and my voice was heard in Japan by more than a hundred of our home boys. I am told that tonight my voice is sent broadcast with one hundred times the power used on the initial program in which I participated twenty-five years ago. Before us is the magic of television and a host of other remarkable discoveries.

We ought to regard these inventions as blessings from the Lord. They greatly enlarge our abilities. They can indeed become blessings if we utilize them in righteousness for the dissemination of truth and the furtherance of the work of the Lord among men. The great challenge facing the world today lies in the use we make of many of these inventions. We can use them to destroy, as we have sometimes done, in the past, or we can utilize them to enlighten and bless mankind, as our Heavenly Father would have us do. (George Albert Smith, Sharing the Gospel With Others, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1948, pp. 40-41)

Joseph Fielding Smith

Abraham, as he sat in his tent, could not receive the news of the world published in the daily press and have it delivered to him at his door; he could not push a button and turn on the electric light, but is that saying that Abraham was less intelligent than men are who dwell on the earth today?

The truth of the matter is that these things were not intended for Abraham's day, and they would not be known and utilized today if the Lord had not revealed them to men, and had not inspired men to make the discoveries which have been made, by which we are able to receive the news as it is gathered from the telegraph and from wireless telegraphy and have it printed by machinery which is run by electricity.

We can sit in our comfortable homes and turn on the light by pressing a button; we can read the public press, and we will know what is going on today in all the world; but does that prove that we today are more intelligent, or that we have greater understanding than Abraham, than Moses, than Elijah, or any of the prophets of those early times, pertaining to those things which are most essential to the salvation of mankind? Not by any means! . . . I read in the scriptures, if I understand them correctly, that many of the prophets of old had opened to their vision scenes pertaining to the history of the children of men down to the end of time, and the Lord revealed unto them the conditions that would prevail in the earth in this generation.

They saw, if I understand the matter correctly, our automobiles, our railroad trains; they saw, very probably, the communication that was taking place upon the face of the earth so wonderfully by wireless communication, or by means of wires by which news is conveyed. They saw, I believe, the airplanes flying in the midst of the heavens, because we can read in the prophecies of these ancient scriptures many things that indicate that these things were revealed unto those ancient prophets. . . . But these wonderful discoveries and conveniences were not intended for their day. They could not sit in an automobile and travel from city to city, or in a railroad train, and ride comfortably, nor could they ride in a modern carriage drawn by horses, but upon the back of an ass would they journey from place to place, or walking by the side of their beast of burden they would travel a few miles each day and call it a day's journey.

And yet the prophets saw the time in the latter days when an ensign should be lifted up that those gathering to Zion should come with speed swiftly; they should not be weary, neither should they be under the necessity of slumber, nor the loosing of their girdle or the shoes from off their feet. . . . But these advantages were not for their times, and the customs and conditions which prevail now, were held in reserve, not because we are any better or more worthy than the saints of former time, nor because we have greater intelligence, but because we are living in the dispensation of the fulness of times, when the Lord is gathering all things in one and preparing the earth for the great millennial reign; and, it is necessary now that all these discoveries, these wonderful inventions and conveniences should be made known to the children of men.

Those who make these discoveries are inspired of God or they would never make them. The Lord gave inspiration to Edison, to Franklin, to Morse, to Whitney and to all of the inventors and discoverers, and through their inspiration they obtained the necessary knowledge and were able to manufacture and invent as they have done for the benefit of the world. Without the help of the Lord they would have been just as helpless as the people were in other ages. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1954, pp. 145-147)
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There has never been a step taken from that day to this, in discovery or invention, where the Spirit of the Lord (that is, the spirit of which Joel spoke, the Light of Christ, not the Holy Ghost!) was not the prevailing force, resting upon the individual, which caused him to make the discovery or the invention. The world does not understand that but it is perfectly clear to me; nor did the Lord always use those who have faith, nor does he always do so today. He uses such minds as are pliable and can be turned in certain directions to accomplish his work, whether they believe in him or not. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1954, p. 178)
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Now, do you think that these discoveries and inventions by Marconi, by Edison, by Bell, by Stephenson and by the other inventors and discoverers without naming them, have come just because these men have been sitting down and concentrating their minds upon these matters and have discovered them through their thought or accidentally? Not in the least, but the Spirit of the Lord, the Light of Christ, has been back of it, and has been impelling them to do these very things; and why? Because the time is here; it is ripe. We are ready for these discoveries, these inventions, and they all have a bearing upon the restoration of the gospel and preparation for the time which is yet future, but which is shortly to come, when Christ shall reign on the earth, and for a thousand years peace shall be established. That is what it is all for.

Now, a man like Edison may say, "I do not believe in a supreme being." I do not know whether he does or not; some of these men do not. However, the Lord in his great mercy, overlooks that and uses the man because he is adapted to a certain work, and he, through his Spirit, can inspire this man to do this great work, and so he goes ahead and does it, all for the establishment of the kingdom of God. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1954, pp. 180-181)
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I maintain that had there been no restoration of the gospel, and no organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there would have been no radio; there would have been no airplane, and there would not have been the wonderful discoveries in medicine, chemistry, electricity, and the many other things wherein the world has been benefited by such discoveries.

Under such conditions these blessings would have been withheld, for they belong to the dispensation of the fulness of times of which the restoration of the gospel and the organization of the Church constitute the central point, from which radiates the Spirit of the Lord throughout the world. The inspiration of the Lord has gone out and taken hold of the minds of men, though they know it not, and they are directed by the Lord. In this manner he brings them into his service that his purposes and his righteousness, in due time, may be supreme on the earth.

Now let me say briefly that I do not believe for one moment that these discoveries have come by chance, or that they have come because of superior intelligence possessed by men today over those who lived in ages that are past. They have come and are coming because the time is ripe, because the Lord has willed it and because he has poured out his Spirit on all flesh." (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1954, p. 183)
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Someone will say: "Are we not living in the most enlightened age the world has ever seen? Is it not true that great progress is being made to lessen the burdens and increase the happiness of man?"

Yes, this is true in regard to many material things. Great progress has been made in mechanics, chemistry, physics, surgery, and other things. Men have built great telescopes that have brought the hidden galaxies to view. They have, by the aid of the microscope, discovered vast worlds of microorganisms, some of which are as deadly as are men towards their fellow men.

They have discovered means to control disease; they have, by the aid of anesthesia, made men insensible to pain, thus permitting major and delicate operations which could not otherwise be performed. They have invented machines more sensitive than the human touch, more farseeing than the human eye. They have controlled elements and made machinery that can move mountains, and many other things have they done too numerous to mention. Yes, this is a wonderful age.

However, all of these discoveries and inventions have not drawn men nearer to God! nor created in their hearts humility and the spirit of repentance. But to the contrary, to their condemnation, nearly everything, it seems, which has been given that should be a blessing to men, has been turned to evil.

Many of these discoveries and inventions are now being used to bring destruction to the human race. They are being used in the most cruel, most inhuman, godless wars this world has ever seen. They are employed by criminals to aid them in their crimes, by the ambitious in their efforts to destroy the agency of man, and by despots who are endeavoring to subjugate the world to an unholy, wicked rule. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1955, p. 271-272)
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All will admit that we are living in a most wonderful age, the greatest in many respects this world has ever seen. There are great signs and wonders in the earth, such as were never given to man before. The great discoveries, inventions, the pouring out of learning, theory and principle both true and false, by which many are deceived, are signs and wonders which are given us and which we should heed. The airplane swiftly winging its way through the heavens; the radio bringing to us the voices of men from all parts of the earth; the great engineering and mechanical undertakings which bring the many conveniences to man; the building of skyscrapers and the harnessing of electricity and making it work in its various forms; the great medical discoveries and surgical skill with the thousand and one other great wonders, have all been given through the will and power of God. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, Utah, Bookcraft, 1956, pp. 21-22.)
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Among the signs of the last days was an increase of learning. Daniel was commanded to "shut up the words, and seal the book," of his prophecy, "even to the time of the end." And in that day, "many shall run to and fro," said he, "and knowledge shall be increased." Are not the people "running to and fro" today as they never did before in the history of the world? Go to the Bureau of Information and ask there how many tourists visit the Temple Block each year. Make inquiry at the various national parks, at the bus, railroad and steamship companies: learn how many are running to Europe, Asia, and all parts of the earth. Are we not, most all of us, running to and fro in our automobiles seeking pleasure? Is not knowledge increased? Was there ever a time in the history of the world when so much knowledge was poured out upon the people? But sad to say, the words of Paul are true -- the people are "ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth!" Have you ever tried to associate the outpouring of knowledge, the great discoveries and inventions during the past one hundred years, with the restoration of the Gospel? Do you not think there is some connection? It is not because we are more intelligent than our fathers that we have received this knowledge, but because God has willed it so in our generation! Yet men take the honor unto themselves and fail to recognize the hand of the Almighty in these things. (The Way to Perfection, pp. 281-282)
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Have you ever tried to associate the outpouring of knowledge, the great discoveries and inventions during the past 136 years, with the restoration of the gospel? Do you not think there is some connection? It is not because we are more intelligent than our fathers that we have received this knowledge but because God has willed it so in our generation! Yet men take the honor unto themselves and fail to recognize the hand of the Almighty in these things. (Conference Report, April 1966, p. 14)

David O. McKay

This is a great age in which we live, and we express our thanks and gratitude to an overruling Providence for having inspired inventors and scientists throughout passing time, and especially during the past 100 years. We express appreciation to the dedicated men and women who have applied these inventions and discoveries for the guidance, convenience and blessing of mankind. Now, because of their service and dedication, we are able to transmit in a brief period of time the glad tidings of the gospel to millions throughout the world. (Conference Report, October 1963, pp. 3-4)

Hugh B. Brown

While we look forward hopefully to the help we may get from science and technology in our attempts to solve our problems, we rely with absolute confidence upon the theology and religion of the Church of Jesus Christ for the inspiration and faith to sustain us in this endeavor, and to this end our spiritual strength is grounded firmly on the foundation of revealed religion and the biblical conviction of the reality of the Living God.

Unlike those whose religious faith is uneasy and precarious in the modern world of expanding scientific knowledge, we are at home with the most advanced truths discovered by scientists and with all competent philosophic thought-- with truth wherever found -- because our religion enjoins in us a love of knowledge and education, encourages us to seek understanding through the broadening of our vision and the deepening of our insight. This is an eternal quest. (Conference Report, April 1964, p. 81)

Bruce R. McConkie

Our Lord might be described as the great Physician, Healer, Engineer, Chief Scout, Foreman, Builder, or the like -- all showing his pre-eminence in the field concerned, and all pointing attention to his power to deal in the spiritual field with human souls as these mortal counterparts deal in their temporal pursuits. (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 580)
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The Light of Christ . . . has led to the great discoveries, inventions, and technological advances of our modern civilization -- achievements withheld from former dispensations and made known only in the last days. (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1966, p 716)
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Never in the entire history of the world has there been anything to compare, even in slight degree, with the great flood of worldly knowledge that has swept the globe in modern times. Marvelous advances have taken place in every field -- scientific, historical, sociological, artistic, medicinal, governmental, economic, inventive, atomic, judicial, and so on ad infinitum -- all of which has been according to the great foreordained plan for man on earth. These advances were withheld and reserved for the final age of the earth's temporal continuance. At "the time of the end," said Daniel, "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:4.) But this great increase of latter-day knowledge was not foreseen as leading men to faith, testimony, and ultimate salvation. For "in the last days," said Paul, men shall be "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth," that is, the truth about God and salvation. (2 Tim. 3:1-7.) (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 724)

N. Eldon Tanner

Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, said that whenever he could not see his way clearly, he knelt down and prayed for light and understanding. (Conference Report, October 1967, p. 52)

Spencer W. Kimball

I believe that the telephone and telegraph and other such conveniences were permitted by the Lord to be developed for the express purpose of building the kingdom. Others may use them for business, professional or other purposes, but basically they are to build the kingdom. (Regional Representatives Seminar. 3 April 1975, p. 19)

Neal A. Maxwell

Our stunning success in understanding physical nature is well known, but one irony that is little appreciated is the fact that many of the critical data about human nature are already available in the scriptures; these data do not need to be discovered -- but merely openly accepted and seriously applied. Cataclysm for the people on this planet is most likely to flow from technology created by men who cannot also tame that technology because they cannot tame themselves by using the taming truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Behold, I Say Unto You, I Cannot Say The Smallest Part Which I Feel. Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1973, p. 5)
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In a time of "distress of nations, with perplexity" Church members can help contribute significantly in other ways as well. For instance, an LDS scientist might help with the technology of deterrence, detection, or verification in a way which would advance the cause of negotiated peace. Others might assist in the relief of disease, famine, or other destabilizing conditions. (Sermons Not Spoken. Salt Lake City, Bookcraft, 1985, p. 39.)

Ezra Taft Benson

We can and should place special emphasis on developing in our youth constructive incentives -- a love of science, engineering, and math, so that they will want to take advanced scientific courses and thereby help meet the needs of our times. Just as a musician has a love of music which drives him to become outstanding in that field, so we must inculcate in some of our qualified young people such an interest in science that they will turn to it of themselves. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1988, p. 318)
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The magnetism of television and radio is in the accessibility of their mediocrity. Lovely is not an adjective to describe most of their products. The inventors of these wonders were inspired by the Lord. But once their good works were introduced to the world, the powers of darkness began to employ them for our destruction. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1988, p. 325-326)