This week we begin the study of Paper 81 from The Urantia Book, The Development of Modern Civilization. This is in preparation for our workshop with Stephen Zendt. Paper 81 proposes that the human race is made up of five basic racial stocks-Andonic, primary Sangik, secondary Sangik, Nodite, and Adamic-each of which could at one time be identified by distinct skeletal types. Biologic evolution may advance in the absence of culture, but culture does not flourish without prior racial progression. 37,000 years ago the violet race was introduced and it improved human brain capacity and hastened natural evolution. The infusion of violet blood caused advances in civilization that exceeded the total biologic progress of the previous million years. Early important events contributed greatly to the growth of human civilization. The taming of fire gave birth to modern science. The domestication of dogs, horses, sheep, goats, cows, camels, fowl, elephants, oxen, and yak lightened the human work load. Through agriculture, animal domestication, and improved architecture, mankind gradually began to seek higher standards of living. The socialization of human culture curtails personal liberty but enhances individual survival potential. Civilization protects group rights as well as those of individuals. Some of the following essentials maintain and foster human civilizations: Natural circumstances-Climate and geographic conditions contribute to cultural evolution. Capital goods-Material prosperity and well-earned leisure time afford people the opportunity to think and plan for social progress. Scientific knowledge-Science trains people to think precisely, stabilizes philosophy, and purifies religion. Human resources-The number of intelligent people influences the progress of society. Please join us in the study of another important and relevant paper. Thanks!