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Show A Look Behind The 'Natural Laws' i S By EDWIN FAST A.B. III iciwKa. Frlmdi Uolvtmty; M Sc., Ph t., For marly an Malt UnlMrsity d Oklahoma. ot Oklahoma, Dapartmanl at Physics; smca IMS with Phillips Patrolaum Company. Pt neatly a papad In atomic anerpy work-- in charpa at low powsr MTR at PMF. tha last raactor, silt Specialist in spectroscopy, radioactive tracer work, atomic etwrsv tansrally. a In this writer's opinion an answer to the question proposed by this volume does not require a lengthy and involved discourse. The answer can be concise, and at die same time at least in the writers view adequate. In the realm of physical science the most nearly correct explanation of a phenomenon is usually taken to be the simplest one which adequately accounts for experimental observations. A set of assumptions may be accepted because they aid in promoting a theory and because they seem obvious or reasonable. Using these as foundation stones the structure is built If these are found erroneous or inadequate the structure falls. The theory of probability is well developed mathematically and finds considerable application in physics. If no outside influences affect the experiment, a flipped coin tossed a sufficiently large number of times should show heads as often as tails. A die when cast should rest so that each of its six faces are up an equal number of times. A predominance of heads in the tossed coin might be observed with practice in flipping it from a set initial position and with a studied r snap of the thumb. or thrown the die, skillfully Similarly weighted, can be made to show one number predominantly. The difference in the two cases is that the first is purely one of unbiased chance, whereas the latter has behind it an intelligence directing the action and consequently influencing the outcome. These rather naive, simple examples may be extrapolated to those of increasing complexity. lit ten, a hundred, or a million units act simultaneously to establish a pattern of behavior. Any deviation from a uni--for- 'You-Plante- c ) O -P u. G A m aon m look for some cause or directing influence. A description of such "directed behavior is usually designated as "natural laws. If, for example, one considers the behavior of neutrons, electrons or protons in completely random result leads one to In seeking to find die origin of the universe science has shown how, on the basis of present knowledge of nuclear physics, interaction of fundamental particles can of all the known eleexplain the build-uments. an electric and magnetic field; each behaves in a way which can be described adequately and hence predicted on the basis of "natural laws Their properties (characteristics) are such that they behave in a predictable manner. Or if light from a sodium electric arc is passed through a narrow slit and a triangular prism, two" closely spaced orange-yellolines appear. The energy released as light comes from the transition of an electron from a higher to a lower energy state in the atom. This ran be described in precise terms of a mathematical expression. But and here is the important point; the core of the question "natural laws are merely a description of what has been observed and not intelligent, regulatory legislation. In itself this description Is not a fundamental reason or explanation of a phenomenon. Starting with the proton and its properties, and some force to bring the particles together, all known elements of our present universe can eventually be produced. The origin of the proton, however, and why it has its specific properties is not explained. Regressing far enough one jnust finally reach the coocluskm'llidt the existence of "nautral laws," which describe systematic in the universe, is evidence of an Intelligence who chooses to establish the operation of the universe as we observe it. Once the electron, proton, and neutron were created, with definite properties, their behavior patterns were established. Our finite minds, in trying to go back to 0 in time, demand that there must a time when the have been a beginning ultimate particles composing matter were first formed. With the formation or creation of these physical entities must have Winkley, Dr. Mason Stout, Dr. Lewis Meyers, Dr. Frederick Cassidy, Dr. G. R. Revenkar, and Dr. Richard Olsen; who recently left to become an assistant professor at Utah State University, all of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah. In addition, 12 graduate students are studying for the Continued prevents doctorate degree under the supervision of Prof. Robins Prof. Robins has served as a consultant for Merck, Sharpe and Dohme firm, one of the pharmaceutical biggest producers of drugs in the United States. As a consultant for the National Cancer Institute he often flies to Washington, D.C., or to any place in the United States where they have a government contract to inspect facilities and evaluate their research program in cancer. He served for seven years consultant to Parke Davis and Co., a pharmaceutical firm in Ann Arbor, Mich. He is at present directing a research program in the college of pharmacy. Besides cancer he is interested in various virus infections and tropical diseases. Dr. Robins recalls two incidents that nearly stopped his work. While he was in Oregon he had an explosion in the lab that broke his glasses and sent him to a hospital overnight. Many small fragments of glass had to be re s , ginning God . . . Simple words, arent they? But there is majesty in their simplicity the majesty, in this writers belief, of Truth Divine. 'No Greater Calling Than A Desire' d From Page 11 with Dr. Robins as tiie chief investigator. As professor of chemistry he directed the research of graduate students studying for a doctorate degree. A cancerous cell. Dr. Robins explained, needs food to grow and multiply just as do normal cells. He believes that a drug can be provided for which cancer cell the closely resembles in physical and chemical structure the normal cellular metabolite needed for growth. If the cancer cell can be fooled - into thinking tiie drug is food it will attempt to use it in the normal fashion, only to find out too late that it cannot use the drug and the drug thus further cancer growth. After seven years at Arizona State University, Prof. Robins came to Utah and accepted the position of professor of chemistry at the University of Utah in January, 1965. At the present time the scientist is directing a research program with the financial aid from the National Science Foundation aod National Institute of Health totaling $250,000 per year. Assisting Prof. Robins besides Dr. Townsend in this work are Dr. Morris J. Robins, formerly of Scipio, Utah, Dr. Arthur D. Broom, Dr. Michael Vi V-,-, come the properties which determine their behavior. Tlip Cause which created the particles logically also detei mined the pioperties they were to have. If tiie brightest scientific minds through the cenlunes have studied to learn, by obseiva turns of great complexity, the existence and behavior of the various endues, it nnist follow that the intelligence of the One who designed these in the first place surpasses the integrated value of human intelligence to date. The best perceptive minds of today will readily admit that man has scarcely begun to learn wluit tlicie is to know about natural phenomena. , When we turn to the organic realm, the complexities of behavior increase enormously, and hence the rationalization of such behavior on the basis of pure chance becomes infinitesimally small. The principal building blocks of organic matter are hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, with smaller amounts of nitrogen and other elements. Millions of these atoms come together to form even the simple forms of life. As one considers larger and more complex species, the probabilities of definite combinations on the basis of pure chance are inconceivably small. Coming to higher forms of life, there are those which exhibit intelligence in plotting and carrying out a course of action which may be contrary to "nautral law. That such should appear on the basis of a chance coming together of elements, that these should in turn develop, reproduce in kind, exhibit reason and intelligence without a creative act of One who designed and established such beings, is very highly improbable is accepting a hypothesis that for all practical purposes is impossible, while rejecting a simple, adequate one. In the unaffected words of the writer of Genesis: "In the be- moved from his chest but he escaped with no injury to his eyes. While at New Mexico Highlands University one night he received a call that the science building was on fire. He rushed down to see what he could do and found nearly everything destroyed. Fortunately most of the research records were saved. Hiv most valuable formulas were home in his brief case! Dr. Robins always finds time to hold a job in the Church in spite of his long hours and busy schedule. While in Arizona he was a leader in the Maricopa stake Aaronic priesthood adult program. In Scottsdale he was the high priest group leader and a Sunday School teacher. At the present time he is second counselor in the bish- opric.of the Monument Park 12th ward in Salt Lake City. He and his wife, the former Lessa Rasmussen,, of Vernal, Utah, and their six children, Renee, Kenneth Leon, Rhonda, Corinne, Rochelle and Roy Lynn reside at 1141 Alton Way, in Salt Lake City. Dr. Robins feels his success has been made possible through study, work, prayer and the power of the priesthood which he holds. A guide through his entire career has been his patriarchal blessing which was given to him when he was only a boy of 16. v WEEK Sunday School' Continued From rage 9 New records system. Jay W. Mitton; secretarial guidebook. Herald L. Carlslon; Sunday School controller, Paul B. Tanner; secretary and administrative action, Supt. Lynn S. Richards. Teaching Aids Specialists and Teaching Aids Specialist. "Library Supt. Rnv-deG. Derrick; "No Greater Call, Pres. M. Ross Richards: "Care and Mainte- n nance Projection Equipment, Frank S. Wise; "How to Use Instructor and Publications, Beth Penrod. How InstrucInstructor Breakfast tor Planned to Serve You, Lorin F. Wheelwright; How Instructor Appeals to Those Who Think, Henry Eyring; How We Make the Commonplace Significant Wendell J. Ashton; Role of Instructor-Us- e Director, G. Robert Ruff; "How Instructor promoted in North British Mission; "Use of Instructor in My Stake, Pres. David D. Lingard. Superintendents Department, Sunday, Oct. 1, 4:20 p.m. Panel discussion, stake superintendents on leadership meetings, communication, relation and attendance and supervision; panel discussion by ward v superintendents, faculty meetings, communication, attendance, supervision and follow through. ENDING SEPTEMBER 16, 1967 Othn-Churc- CHURCH-- 13 |