Origin of Man.-- "In just what manner did the mortal bodies of Adam and Eve come into existence on this earth?" This question comes from several High Priests' quorums.
Of course, all are familiar with the statements in Genesis 1: 26-27; 2: 7; also in the Book of Moses, Pearl of Great Price, 2: 27; and in the Book of Abraham 5: 7. The latter statement reads: "And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his spirit (that is, the man's spirit) and put it into him; and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul."
These are the authentic statements of the scriptures, ancient and modern, and it is best to rest with these, until the Lord shall see fit to give more light on the subject. Whether the mortal bodies of man evolved in natural processes to present perfection, through the direction and power of God; whether the first parents of our generations, Adam and Eve, were transplanted from another sphere, with immortal tabernacles, which became corrupted through sin and the partaking of natural foods, in the process of time; whether they were born here in mortality, as other mortals have been, are questions not fully answered in the revealed word of God. For helpful discussion of the subject, see Improvement Era, Vol. XI, August 1908, No. 10, page 778, article, "Creation and Growth of Adam;" also article by the First Presidency, "Origin of Man," Vol. XIII, No. 1, page 75, 1909.
Note that the editorial is unsigned. The editor of the publication was Joseph F. Smith, president of the Church.
Additional note provided by "David H. Bailey" <dbailey@psd.riacs.edu> to the eyring-l list on Wed, 25 Sep 1996:
"[This] really isn't an "official" statement by the FP, but the Era was edited by president of the church, and doctrinal commentaries such as this were carefully reviewed by the first presidency before publication.The historical context of this article is of course very significant. It appeared just a few months after the 1909 statement by the first presidency. In this context, it is clear that this note was intended to defuse concerns by some as to whether the 1909 statement was to be interpreted as a firm decree against an evolutionary process for the physical creation.
DHB"