To be fair, the original writers didn’t have the scientific understanding of the modern era. That is the approach of a new set of religious exegesis Genesis researchers. They postulate the theory that in order to truly understand the Creation account, and end the debates, it is necessary to study what the pre-science writers intended. And what they were doing in Genesis, according to the new paradigm that is considered the old, was “naming” and “ordering” the already existent material to form functional stability from chaos. This sounds perfectly Mormon, but there is a catch. Functional in this case means making what already has existed and formed of the material and making making it consecrated. still a very Mormon concept to be sure, but it throws out the whole of the material creation as a God involved process. A religious person must before the Genesis account assume God already created the material, was not involved with the material creation, or that what He did create was evil. The Genesis Creation account becomes a post-Creation account.
This leaves a big gap for the scientific modern understanding. Although there are strengths to the chaotic-order Creation paradigm, many of them Mormon supportable like the already existent matter, it still puts into question the “Truth” and “Historicity” of the Creation. For a modern people who associate mythologizing and allegory as lies for at best a better truth, the profound spiritual viewpoints are not enough. The material world is far more real and important than it ever was in the ancient past. There still must be some “concordance” (matching historical knowledge with scriptural events) to make it valuable beyond the original writer’s intent.
The key to having a modern interpretation of an ancient viewpoint is Nephi’s use of Isaiah. After having quoted Isaiah, he says in 2 Nephi 25:1, “For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.” As a Jew from Jerusalem he states in 2 Nephi 25:5, “for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews” Knowing the way people think and their history helps in understanding what they write. For those who want to interpret Genesis according to the ancients, this is a powerful endorsement. Yet, it is only half the equation of Scriptural usage. Despite or even because of all that Nephi knew about the Jews, he says in 1 Nephi 19:23, ” I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” He related the past writings to his contemporary situation. Not only did he expound on the difficult words of Isaiah, but he made them relatable and significant to the readers. He saw a material manifestation of the spiritual teachings in his life.
Perhaps one of the most common criticisms of “concordance” or comparing science with the Genesis Creation account is that they are not the same. The formation of the Universe, the Earth, and Evolution does not follow the steps associated with Genesis. Not only that, but there are at least two accounts that are seen as in conflict with each other. Taken at face value this seems like a very tall wall to climb in order to shake hands with the other side. As the scientists insist, we are not dealing with an obervable account. To quote from an earlier take on this subject:
To come to some kind of conclusion about what the Scripture creation narratives are describing for the natural world, the text is best read in non-linear construction. Details are at most bare minimum and often describe the end products. Remember that all things are in front of God at all times while He communicates to us time locked mortals. The recorded narratives are going to be out of time and space alignment. Yet, there is organization in the various narratives.
Because all Scriptural Creation accounts are spiritual, there is not going to be a scientific explanation full of step by step processes. Different accounts have separate purposes. None of them are going to be a scientific treaties. This acknowledgement should not be taken too far. The “God of Mormonism” is also considered a material scientist who is all knowing and omniscient. Within the revelations about Creation will be found the core truths of scientific facts. They may be couched in incomprehensible to a modern reader language and metaphysics, but they can be found. For the sake of continued relevance, they must be found and incorporated with caution.
The issue at stake in the modern era is less what did the ancients mean by the Creation, as how does our current knowledge fit into the narrative? We can always separate the Creation account with the Universe and Evolution formation accounts. It might be satisfactory to some. That doesn’t sit well with an observational modern scientific worldview where literature and poetry are considered diversions. As stated before, materialism and history are seen as facts while metaphor and allegory are pretty lies. Perhaps it speaks more about the modern deficit of spirituality than the lack of ancient scientific knowledge. Imagination and higher consciousness has been usurped by notions of hard reality. All the more reason to find a way to bridge the ancient viewpoint and modern materialist perspectives. Those who cannot see themselves in the Scriptures will have a hard time finding God.