"The real question is, Bill...do the genetic mutations occur in a random fashion...with the most favorable changes being perpetuated by survival....or do they occur as a result of an actual intention on some level of consciousness? In other words, is evolution an intelligent process or is it a random process?"

Oh my... that issue takes many pages to answer. All I can suggest is to read Stephen J. Gould.

"Ever Since Darwin" and/or "The Panda's Thumb"

The actual answer seems to be that it is 'not exactly' random, but certainly is not 'intelligent' in the common sense of the word..... I simply can't type enough to show the complex answer.