OCR Text |
Show God's Greatest Creation This It on of o series of articles . m ond religion written expressly tor-thChurch Newt by scientist! at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Each will discuss hit chosen field at It relates to God and the universe. telenet ABOUT THE WRITER Dr. Russell M. Nelson is president of the Sunday School of the church. He is also a renowned heart surgeon, practicing in Salt Lake City. BY DR. RUSSELL M. NELSON Perhaps no scientist is as privileged In developing faith in God as is the medical scientist. He studies Gods greatest creamade in the tion, the human being very image of God (See Genesis 1:27 and Ether 3:16). In si doing, he comes to understand more of Deity himself. Some of the worlds greatest leaders in the history of medicine, such as William Osier, Thomas Browne, and Alexis Carrel, wove the thread of their great faith proudly and prominently through their practice and their writings. Many contemporary medical leaders also echo the words of Cotton Mather who spoke of the angelic conjunction of (the study of) medicine with divinity. Many of us are fascinated by fine instruments. We like cameras with built-i- n light meters and focusing controls. We are intrigued with the reception of stereophonic sound and amazed at the capacity of computers to do work so quickly. Vet, through the study of the body, one may observe the human eye to be the most remarkable optical instrument known, the human hearing mechanism to be the most compact and sensitive instrument for the perception of sound, and the mind of man so capable that it can conceive and create a computer. One of the bodys most amazing instruments is the heart. In it there are four durable valves which open and close over 100,000 times a day over 36,000,000 times a year. The heart pumps enough n blood to fill a tank car every day, and is driven by a tiny electrical system which consumes only about four watts of energy less than that required by the smallest light bulb in our home. Those of us doing rsearch in this area, probing into the development of artificial hearts, recognize the major problem to be the duplication of a source of power comparable to the natural endowment. To us, the Lords proclamation that 2,000-gallo- He is research professor of surgery at the University of Utah; chairman, division of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, LDS Hospital; director, cardio The defense mechanisms of the body Blood cources swiftly and freely through our vessels and yet, should injury occur, this circulating blood can clot and seal leaks, which thereby starts the process of healing. The skin allows us to sense temperature, touch, we may be protected from and pain,-tha- t damage and harm to this precious body. are most inspiring. self-repa- ir g The physician learns he must only sustain and support the former, while he must actively intervene in the latter. Only a few specific organs have been cited. Similar reference could and properly should be made to many more, such as the reproductive sv 'em, the antibody system and others. The study of any aspect of the human body constitutes an inspiring insight into the marvelous structure and function of the body which is so fascinating to medical scientists. He has received seve'ral and awards, fellowships and has done much postgr- aduate study. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have 10 children. Amazing as the body is, more important is the realization that it is the taberthe nacle for something even greater the power is in them, carries meaning of great significance, for we recognize this power as a gift of divine origin (See Doctrine and Covenants 58:28). Indeed the capacity of the body for is one of its distinguishing features. The ultimate concern of every physician is to differentiate those conditions with the passage which are of time (such as a broken rib) from those conditions which are with the passage of time (such as a broken mitral valve within the heart). vascular thoracic training program, and director, department of medical services, Artificial Heart Test Facility, both at the U. of. - spirit. The body and the spirit comprise the soul of man (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:5). In many of his patients the physician . sees the spirit in its proper dominant role, while in others the spiritual aspect recedes to be dominated by the physical appetites and undisciplined drives of the body. In observing the process of death, the physician sees the separation of the spirit from the body. This then turns his mind to the promise of the resurrection. The medical scientist does not know the infinite details of how two cells unite to form an embryo, nor does he know how those cells differentiate to form an eye, an ear, a brain, or a heart. But he knows that by a divine process this does take place and the human body results. To us, this first creation is a real miracle, The promise that this process will be accomplished once more at the ime of the resurrection is also miraculous; yet, it is easier to believe that the creation can be done a second time, knowing that it was so marvelously accomplished the first time. So, the physician develops a real reverence for life. Consistency compels that this reverence encompass all life and the processes that beget life. All are sacred. The dedicated student of life acknowledges God as the giver of life end all that sustains life. Through his knowledge of the scrip, tures, a physician sees the special love the Creator has for those whom He has created. For example, about 3,000 years before' medical scientists proved the infectious nature of bacteria, the Lord made known to all mankind through Moses and Aaron the essentials of asepsis and sterile technique (See Leviticus 15). Similarly, about 140 years before medical scientists had demonstrated the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol and stimulants, those who knew the word of God and accepted it in faith were blessed. (See Doctrine and Covenants 89). The remarkable love of God for his children Is evident in His revealing these facts long before the slower and methodical processes of medical science make them available. The medical scientist develops an equal reverendfe for divine law, for he sees all health and disease processes regulated by such law and order. For every organ, its structure and function, he knows that there are laws. Thereby, he understands the Lords statement that Unto every kingdom is given a law. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:38). He further knows that when the blessing of health is obtained it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated (See Doctrine and Covenants 130:21). The physician perceives the power of the spirprayer, of fasting and of faith itual strengths that cause the body to be obedient and disciplined. In the lives of his patients he sees the confirmation of the fact that true happiness in life comes from selfless service to others, the He that essence of Christs statement, findeth his life shall lose it and he that loscth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:39) The physician sees that those who have gained fulfillment in life have done so from charity and love of God and their neighbors, in obedience to the two greatest of all commandments (See Matthew 22:37-39As the scientific knowledge possessed by a physician amplifies his faith, this faith amplifies his knowledge and worth as a physician. ). 3 Receive Calls To Serve Primary The general presidency of the Primary Association has announced that three women from the Salt Lake City area have been called to serve on the Primary General Board. The new board members are Mrs. Camille de St. Jeor Gambles, Mrs. Jeanne Joyce Larson, and Mrs. Phyllis B. McMiliin. University of Utah, and taught in the Granite School District prior to enrolling in graduate work at the University of Utah. Mrs. Larson is a member of the Edge-mo7th Ward, Edgemont Stake. She was married to the late Rolf Lamport Larson and is the mother of six children. Mrs. Larson, who was born in Potrer-illoChile, has been president of the Relief Society and Primary in the English-speakin- g branch and ward of the Mexican Mission. She has also been a counselor in the Mexican Mission Relief Society presidency, and has served in the stake Primary presidency in Tucson, and the stake MIA presidency in Mesa, Ariz. Mrs. Larson attended high schools in Chile and in California. She attended Stanford University, National Autonomous University of Mexico, and received nt Mrs. Jeanne Larson Mrs. Phyllis McMiliin Mrs. Camille Gambles s, Mrs. Gambles, a member of the Holla-da- y 19th Ward, Olyippus Stake, is married to Paul Dean Gambles. They have three children. Mrs. Gambles has served as YWMIA president of the Monument Park 8th Ward, Monument Park West Stake. In been a the Holladay 19th Ward, she-hateacher in the Primary, MIA and Sunday School. She has also been the ward Primary president and a den mother. s She received her B.S. degree from the s 4 - CHURCH O WEEK ENDING MAY 26, 1973 a degree from the University of the Americas. She was a translator with the U.S. Military Intelligence with U.S. embassies in Bolivia and Brazil during World War II, and has held various secretarial positions. She is currently a secretary in the International Sudents Office at Brigham Young Univc-uty- . Mrs. McMullin is a member of the Monument Park 8th Ward, Monument Park West Stake. She is married to Robert L. McMulliu and is the mother of six children. She was scouting director in Monument Park West Stake from 1970-7- 3 and has served in the ward Primary presidency. She has also been a Guide patrol leader and ward Relief Society president. She received a University of Utah. B S. degree from the |