In one interview, I claimed there is more truth in my fiction than in any science I’ve ever done, and I believe that. I think truth comes from a variety of sources. How do you go about balancing all the different avenues to truth we have to choose from? In The Scholar of Moab, we find people looking for truth and understanding through both science and art-as well as ancient documents, revelation, scripture, alchemy, the stars, coincidence, etc., etc., etc. Science teaches humility, because there is always more to learn. It may sound counterintuitive, but the more I look at the depth and promise of nature and study its contours, especially from an evolutionary perspective, the more I feel I’m lifted to higher things.

Those things we do that enhance our talents and abilities also build the kingdom. I also take the scripture that says “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21) really seriously. The glory of God is intelligence-anything we do to enhance the knowledge of the universe builds the kingdom. Science is the search for knowledge about how the physical universe works.

How does your science help build the kingdom?įor me, gaining knowledge itself is a way to build the kingdom. Let’s leave art to the side for a moment. One of the expected questions in these interviews is how does your work help build the kingdom. Peck First, sure, I know it’s called Mormon ARTIST, but you’re also a scientist.

Publications in Bellowing Ark, Dialogue, Encounters Magazine, Glyphs III, Irreantum, Jabberwocky Magazine, Journal of Unlikely Entomology, Lissette’s Tales of the Imagination, Nature Futures (forthcoming), Pedestal Magazine, Quantum Realities, Red Rock Review, Silver Blade, Silver Thought Press, Tales of the Talisman, Victorian Violet Press, and Warp and Weave. His stories have appeared in the anthologies Monsters & Mormons and Space Eldritch II. He recently published a book of poetry, Incorrect Astronomy. Creative works include three novels, The Scholar of Moab (AML best novel of 2011, Montaigne Medal Finalist), A Short Stay in Hell, Rifts of Rime. His publishing history includes lots of scientific work focused on evolution and ecology, including publications in American Naturalist, American Entomologist, Biological Theory, Biology & Philosophy, Newsweek, Evolution, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Agriculture and Human Values, and other scientific papers. Peck is a biology professor at Brigham Young University.

The Scholar of Moab by Steven L. Peck