Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spent the afternoon at Brigham Young University on Thursday to offer the dedicatory prayer of a new building on campus.
Prior to the dedicatory prayer, Nelson spoke to those in attendance about the purpose of the new Life Sciences Building (LSB), according to The Universe. Nelson explained each building on campus is meant to meet the academic needs of students throughout the week by housing labs and classrooms and also meant to meet the spiritual needs of the students as it holds Church meetings on the Sabbath day.
Nelson stated that religion and science can, and should coexist and that the only misunderstanding of this concept “arises from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion, or both.” He further explains this concept, saying,
This university is committed to search for truth and teach the truth. All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether truth comes from a scientific laboratory or by revelation from the Lord, it is all compatible.
Kevin J. Worthen, President of BYU, also spoke at the dedication. He noted that the large size of the LSB is a good indication of how BYU has come academically. He proceeded to discuss the university’s future, and John A. Widstoe’s, saying,
BYU has a great mission in these latter days. I have little fear about its future. The rumblings may always continue, but sooner or later the institution will be so firmly established that even an earthquake cannot undo it.
The LSB will be home to students studying biology, health science, microbiology and molecular biology, physiology and developmental biology and plant and wildlife sciences. However, each weekend students will fill the LSB as it will serve as a meetinghouse for one Latter-day Saint stake and 15 different wards.
