Evidences and Reconciliations

Evidences and Reconciliations


Books come into being in many different ways—some because writers choose to write, and some, like this one, because readers make insistent demands.


Throughout his professional life as scientist, educator, public servant, and churchman, a distinguished and almost unbelievably varied career going back nearly half a century, Dr. John A. Widtsoe had been receiving questions from confused and alert and honest and eager students—students of life, students of the gospel, and students engaged in formal academic pursuits. These questions have come by letter, in Church gatherings, from the mission field, in the classroom, and on informal occasions.


Some years ago, Dr. Widtsoe began to make permanent record of such questions as they came to him, and, beginning nearly five years ago, to answer in print in the pages of the Improvement Era those most persistently and most frequently asked. “Evidences and Reconciliations” was the general title adopted, with a subtitle “Aids to Faith in a Modern Day”; and that the series filled an urgent need is attested by the fact that requests for permanent compilation began to increase as the writings progressed through the months, thus repeating the experience of other writers who, by reason of demand, have been obliged to publish their serial efforts in book form.


Dr. Widtsoe’s pen has long been active in the cause of truth—all truth. His scientific papers are numerous. His articles and books crusading for better irrigation and dry farming practice have been translated into many languages. His Church books, courses of study, and compilations go back to his early young manhood. Books and manuals written by him and published number more than a score and a half, in addition to magazine and newspaper articles, pamphlets, tracts, and encyclopedic and other writings.