"The Creation"

"The Creation" Lesson 3,
Moses 1:27-42; Moses 2-3
Compiled and taught by Maren Hale, January 17, 2010

INTRODUCTION

Brothers and sisters, I highly recommend the marvelous 7-part series being shown on BYU TV Sunday nights at 8:00 P.M. entitle, “Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God.” With the help of 50 LDS scholars, this series chronicles the life and mission of the Savior. Last Sunday’s program, the first in the series, was on the premortal Savior, and was introduced by our own Cecilia Peek who did a marvelous job. This series will be a wonderful companion to our gospel doctrine study.

Today we will discuss the CREATION. There are three major scriptural accounts of the creation:

1. Genesis account (1:1-2:25): Written by the prophet Moses, who saw in a vision the creation of the earth and then recorded his vision (Moses 1:40, 2:1). Latter-day Saints regard it as the remnant of an account originally given to Moses.

2. Moses account (2:1-3:25): Written by the prophet Moses, who saw in vision the creation of the earth and then recorded his vision. This portion of Joseph Smith’s Inspired Translation of the Bible restores much of the fullness of Moses’ account which has been lost from Genesis.

3. Abraham account (4:1-5:21). Was written by the prophet Abraham, who saw in vision the creation of the earth and then recorded his vision. A form of it was discovered in an Egyptian tomb and later sold to the Latter-day Saints. By revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith produced the text of the Book of Abraham and published it in the Times and seasons. In 1851 it was reprinted in the first edition of the Pearl of Great Price.

4. The Temple Account: This account teaches the various steps involved in the Creation, the sequence of events, and the roles of those involved. (Duane S. Crowther, The Creation; Keith Meservy, “Four Accounts of the Creation,” Ensign, January 1986, 50)

Russell M. Nelson: “The purposes of the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement all converge on the sacred work done in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (Ensign, Nov. 1996, pp. 33–36)

QUESTION: Why is there more than one account? [Repetition is a great teacher. There is always more to be learned from another recital of anything of value.]

Brigham Young taught that no revelation is ever received in its fullness. (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, p. 40)

The Lord himself emphasizes to us the limitations of the present revelations when he promises that when he comes he will “reveal all things” (D&C 101:32-34)

There are other accounts of the creation:

5. The Ebla Tablets: Before the Bible as we know it was written, there were written correspondences between peoples in the Middle East. One of the oldest known writings may be the Ebla Tablets found in today’s Syria. These tablets contain a written account of the creation. (Daniel Rona, “The Creation”)

6. The Dead Sea Scrolls: In the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls which date back twenty or more centuries, reference is made to the creation. The text style is similar to the revelatory testimonies of Moses and Abraham. (Daniel Rona, “The Creation”).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “God himself, the Father of us all, ordained and established a plan of salvation whereby his spirit children might advance and progress and become like him. It is the gospel of God, the plan of Eternal Elohim, the system that saves and exalts, and it consists of three things. These three are the very pillars of eternity itself. They are the most important events that ever have or will occur in all eternity. They are the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement.” (“Christ and the Creation,” Ensign, Jun 1982, p. 9)
BODY

Moses Sees a Vision of God’s Creations

SCRIPTURES: Moses 1:4

“And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.”

Moses 1:27-28

27. And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, Moses cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the spirit of God.

28. And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.

QUOTE #1:

Orson Pratt: "Before the Lord revealed to him the history of its creation. Moses beheld every particle of the earth, and the account says there was not a particle that he did not behold, discerning it by the Spirit of God. One of the revelations says, that whatsoever is light is spirit, and there are degrees of this spiritual influence that will affect the natural or mortal eye; then there are other degrees more refined, perhaps, which do not affect the mortal eye, but will affect the immortal eye, yet the Lord would be able to touch the eyes of a man like unto Moses or any other man of God, so as to show him every particle of the earth, inside and outside." (Journal of Discourses, 16:337)

The Lord organized eternal elements

SCRIPTURE: Moses 1:30, 32

30. And it came to pass that Moses called upon God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them?

32. And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.

Latter-day prophets inform us that God did not create the earth out of nothing, as is supposed by much of traditional Christianity today.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter” (D&C 131:7; D&C 93:33).

QUOTE:

Elder Orson Pratt: “The materials out of which the earth was formed, are just as eternal as the materials of the glorious personage of the Lord himself…This being, when he formed the earth, did not form it out of something that had no existence, but he formed it out of materials that had an existence from all eternity: they never had a beginning, neither will one particle of substance now in existence ever have an end. There are just as many particles now as there were at any previous period of duration, and will be while eternity lasts. Substance had no beginning;…the earth was formed out of eternal materials, and it was made to be inhabited and God peopled it with creatures of his own formation.” (Journal of Discourses, 19:286)

QUOTE #2 – Joseph Smith talks about the word create.

Joseph Smith: "The word create came from the [Hebrew] word baurau which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to ORGANIZE; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship. Hence, we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos—chaotic matter." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp350-351)

President Joseph F. Smith: “The scriptures plainly and repeatedly affirm that God is the Creator of the earth and the heavens and all things that in them are. In the sense so expressed, the Creator is an Organizer. God created the earth as an organized sphere; but He certainly did not create, in the sense of bringing into primal existence, the ultimate elements of the materials of which the earth consists, for ‘the elements are eternal (D&C 93:33).” (“The Father and the Son,” p. 934)

The Lord had help creating the earth

QUESTION: Who do we know who helped the Savior form this earth? [Adam who was Michael]

QUOTE # 3:

President Joseph Fielding Smith: “It is true that Adam helped to form this earth. He labored with our Savior Jesus Christ. I have a strong view or conviction that there were also others who assisted them. Perhaps Noah and Enoch; and why not Joseph Smith, and those who were appointed to be rulers before the earth was formed? We know that Jesus our Savior was a Spirit when this great work was done. He did all of these mighty works before he tabernacled in the flesh.” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 1:74-75)

QUOTE #4

President Joseph Fielding Smith: "Under the direction of the Father, Jesus Christ created this earth. No doubt others helped him, but it was Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who, under the direction of his Father, came down and organized matter and made this planet, so that it might be inhabited by the children of God." (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:74)

QUOTE #5 Elder Bruce R. McConkie summarizes what we have just discussed.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Truly Christ is the Creator of the future abode of the spirit children of the Father. But he does not work alone. The Creation is an organized venture; each of the other noble and great spirits plays his part. And the earth is created from matter that already exists. Truly the elements are eternal, and to create is to organize." (quoted in Studies In Scripture, 2:81)

The Lord created the earth for the eternal life of man
QUESTION: And what was his purpose for creation? [“…to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39)]
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in a recent address: “Though we cannot understand ‘the meaning of all things,’ we do ‘know that [God] loveth his children’ (1 Nephi 11:17). because He has said, ‘Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).’
“Heavenly Father is able to accomplish these two great goals—the immortality and eternal life of man—because He is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate.
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul…The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. (“Happiness Your Heritage,” Ensign, 2008)
QUOTE: Reason for the creation

Brigham Young: "The whole object of the creation of this world is to exalt the intelligences that are placed upon it, that they may live, endure, and increase for ever and ever. We are not here to quarrel and contend about the things of this world, but we are here to subdue and beautify it. Let every man and woman worship their God with all their heart. Let them pay their devotions and sacrifices to him, the Supreme, and the Author of their existence. Do all the good you can to your fellow-creatures. You are flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. God has created of one blood all the nations and kingdoms of men that dwell upon all the face of the earth: black, white, copper-colored, or whatever their color, customs, or religion, they have all sprung from the same origin; the blood of all is from the same element. 7:290
“The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like himself; when we have been proved in our present capacity, and have been faithful with all things he puts into our possession”. 3:93 (Discourses of Brigham Young, pp. 57)

QUOTE #6 Roll of agency

Wilford Woodruff: "The Lord Almighty never created a world like this and peopled it for 6,000 years, as he has done, without having some motive in view. That motive was, that we might come here and exercise our AGENCY. The probation we are called upon to pass through, is intended to elevate us so that we can dwell in the presence of God our Father." (Journal of Discourses, 25:9)

QUOTE #7

Joseph Smith: "Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p346-347)

The Lord has created worlds without number

We know that many worlds have been created.
SCRIPTURE: Moses 1:33,35
33. “And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.”
35. “But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds, that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.”

QUESTION: How interested should we be in the other worlds? [It would be fascinating to know more, but this is not necessary for us to fulfill our purpose on this earth.]

Our knowledge of the creation is limited

QUOTE #8:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Our analysis properly begins with the frank recital that our knowledge about the Creation is limited. We do not know the how and why and when of all things. Our finite limitations are such that we could not comprehend them if they were revealed to us in all their glory, fullness, and perfection. What has been revealed to us is that portion of the Lord's eternal word which we must believe and understand if we are to envision the truth about the Fall and Atonement and thus become heirs of salvation. This is all we are obligated to know in our day." (Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, p179)

SCRIPTURES:

Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

D&C 14:9: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness.”


Abraham 3:24: “And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell.”

Abraham 4:1: “And then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth.”

Elder Bruce R. McConkie talks of the time frame involved in the creation and explains to us the necessity of understanding the creation.

QUOTE:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie “…What is a day? It is a specified time period; it is an age, an eon, a division of eternity; it is the time between two identifiable events. And each day, of whatever length, has the duration needed for its purposes…
“There is no revealed recitation specifying that each of the ‘six days’ involved in the Creation was of the same duration…The Mosaic and Abrahamic accounts [and]…the temple account [contain a] different division of events. It seems clear that the ‘six days’ are one continuing period and that there is no one place where the dividing lines between the successive events must of necessity be placed.” (Studies in Scripture pp. 81-82)

"The revealed accounts of the Creation are designed to accomplish two great purposes. Their general purpose is to enable us to understand the nature of our mortal probation, a probation in which all men are being tried and tested 'to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (Abr. 3:25). Their specific purpose is to enable us to understand the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, which infinite and eternal Atonement is the very foundation upon which revealed religion rests." (Studies in Scripture, p. 85)

Here, Elder McConkie is telling us that the revealed accounts of the Creation enable us to understand the nature of our mortal probation and the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Experiences with God’s creations

Think with me for a moment, how you feel about God’s creations.

EXPERIENCE: View of San Francisco Bay- by Maren Hale

I will always remember the evening when my husband and I as students drove up into the Berkeley Hills and saw for the first time a breathtaking view of the San Francisco Bay. I imagined what it must have been like for Native American Indians or the first explorers to come upon that scene for the first time – a bay so beautiful. It was impossible for me to imagine that this place happened by chance. I was so impressed and moved by the scene. It stood as a quiet testimony that there is a God in heaven who has created this planet as a place where we can continue our eternal progress.

ANOTHER EXPERIENCE: Stechelberg, Switzerland - by Maren Hale

We were living in Madrid, Spain. We decided that we wanted the opportunity to see some of Europe as a family. The only way we could afford that was by camping each night. We set out on a 2-week excursion with our then, 7 children and a young Spanish friend – so there were 10 of us in our van with a tent lashed to the top, pulling a small trailer.

We saw some beautiful scenery in Northern Spain, in the Pyrenees Mountains, the French countryside, and the Swiss Alps. One sight I will never forget. We pulled into the small town of Stechelberg, Switzerland, one evening as it was getting dark. There was a thick fog all around us. A friendly English family helped us find electrical hook-ups and a place to pitch our large tent. I made dinner over our Coleman stove and we put the children to bed.

The next morning, the fog had lifted and as we looked outside we couldn’t believe where we were. We were in a river valley between steep mountain cliffs. There were glaciers on each side and waterfalls cascaded thousands of feet from the mountain tops to the floor of the valley. We walked to a river that was a frothy, white-grey. It had a turbulence that was frightening to watch and the sound was tremendous. Our children walked among the wildflowers. As we climbed to the top of a low mountain to reach a village at the top, we stopped and heard cow bells and a yodeler. We sang songs along the way and heard our echoes. When we reached the top, we felt like we were literally on top of the world. There was a soft breeze and the air was velvety.

We met people at the campsite from many countries. We were the object of their curiosity with our large American family. We found fresh blackberries and I made a cobbler that night for dinner. Our day in Stechelberg had been perfect -- it seemed to us like paradise.

Man is created and given dominion over the earth

After the creation of the earth, and after it had been filled with plants and animals we read:

SCRIPTURE: Moses 2:26-27

26. And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27. And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them"

QUOTE #9

Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Families on earth are an extension of the family of God. According to the LDS concept of the family, every person is a child of heavenly parents as well as mortal parents. Each individual was created spiritually and physically in the image of God and Christ (Moses 2:27; 3:5). The First Presidency has declared, 'All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity’.” (Messages of the First Presidency, 4:203).
“Everyone, before coming to this earth, lived with Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, and each was loved and taught by them as a member of their eternal family." (Our Search for Happiness, p. 70)

We learned in verse 26 that the Lord said that man would have “dominion over all the earth.”

QUESTION: What responsibility does this DOMINION require of us? [We need to respect the earth and care for God’s creations.]

EXPERIENCES: by Maren Hale

I’m sure we’ve all had an epiphany of when we realized that we needed to be respectful of the earth. Some times it just happens and other times it is forced upon us.

One day as a young girl, I dropped a chewing gum wrapper on the ground on the way to school. My best friend quietly picked it up and put it into her pocket. I have not littered since.

Another experience: We were living in Berkeley, California, during the great 3-year drought that plagued the area. We couldn’t water the lawn and our children took bucket baths for over a year to conserve water. To this day, I have trouble watching water just run down the drain.

QUOTE #10 Hugh Nibley tells us that being given dominion makes us responsible.

Hugh Nibley: "To have dominion is the Latin word to be a dominus. The domus is the 'house.' The dominus is the lord who is the master of the house and is responsible for all the creatures in the house…that's his obligation. We think of it as a license to exterminate. You are made lord of everything. You are given dominion and made responsible." (Ancient Documents and the Pearl of Great Price, Lecture 19)

QUOTE: I love this quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley

President Gordon B. Hinckley: “I have looked at majestic mountains rising high against the blue sky and thought of Jesus, the Creator of heaven and earth. I have stood on the sand of an island in the Pacific and watched the dawn rise like thunder – a ball of gold surrounded by clouds of pink and white and purple – and thought of Jesus, the Word by whom all things were made and without whom was not anything made that was made. I have seen a beautiful child – bright-eyed, innocent, loving and trusting – and marveled at the majesty and miracle of creation. What then shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ?
“This earth is his creation. When we make it ugly, we offend him. Our bodies are the work of our Creator. When we abuse them, we abuse him. (“What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ?” Ensign 1983, pp. 3-4)

All things are first created spiritually

In Moses 3:7 – We learn that all forms of life were created in heaven “spiritually before they were, naturally, upon the face of the earth.”

SCRIPTURE: Moses 3:7

7. And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word.

EXPERIENCE: Birth of Spring- Maren Hale

I recall vividly the birth of our 3rd child. She was born on Good Friday in 1974. As I labored, I thought about the suffering of the Savior in Gethsemane. When she was born I looked on her darling head of curls and marveled at this great creation from our Father in Heaven. I looked at her tiny hands and feet with each finger and toe perfectly in place. Her tiny chest heaved up and down quickly with the beat of her heart. I smelled her flower breath. I felt her sweet spirit and dearly loved her – she was ours. We drove her home Easter morning and named her Spring.

QUESTION: How have you felt at the birth of a child, when you have held a baby, played with or taught a child?

POEM:

I have always loved this poem by a friend, Susan Davis.

I know the motion of a miracle;
A child with endless possibility,
Whose earthly sustenance depends on me,
Is quickened in my body’s spherical
Warm cradle, put by God into my care.
Across millenniums I take Eve’s hand
And with her, though I cannot understand
The sorrow in her curse, am blessed to bear
The mortal family of God. Above
All other gifts of heaven is this of life –
In the embodiment of human love.
How dear the gift. As mother and as wife
The longings of my womanhood are stilled;
My measure of creation is fulfilled.

CONCLUSION

Brigham Young: "The whole object of the creation of this world is to exalt the intelligences that are placed upon it, that they may live, endure, and increase for ever and ever.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, John A Widtsoe, Page 57)

Brothers and sisters, our bodies are a part of God’s greatest creations. He instructed that the earth be created for our benefit, so that we might have an opportunity to return to him through faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endurance. We have dominion over the earth. May we appreciate our opportunities here, I pray.


References:

Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price
Duane S. Crowther, “The Creation,”
Keith Meservy, “Four Accounts of the Creation,” Ensign, January 1986, p. 50
Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe
Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie
Journal of Discourses
Daniel Rona, “The Creation”
Bob Beardall, “The Creation”
Quotes as noted in lesson


"The revealed accounts of the Creation…enable us to understand the nature of our mortal probation [and] understand the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie (Studies in Scripture, p. 85)