The Creation 3

Moses 1:27-42; 2-3; Abraham 4-5; Genesis 1-2

I was privileged to go to the Redlands temple this morning. Our Bishop challenged our ward to have someone in the temple or at the temple grounds each day that the temple is open during January. We all responded so well, and the Spirit has been prompting everyone to attend, that Bishop Lomenick has extended the challenge for all of 2010. I am thrilled. This was the third time I've attended this month, and I hadn't even signed up on the calendar.

I have the opportunity to teach Gospel Doctrine this year. This past week the lesson was on the Creation. An account of the creation is found in Genesis, and it was written by Moses. Joseph Smith also wrote an inspired translation of Moses's account which we can find in the Pearl of Great Price. One more account of the creation is found in the Book of Abraham, also found in the Pearl of Great Price. This account is taken from ancient papyrus that fell into the hands of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. And then there is the account that unfolds before our eyes as we participate in an endowment session within the holy temples. We are blessed to have four accounts of the Creation. But without modern day revelation, the account would be limited to the creation itself. Modern day revelation answers the question "Why?" This answer is found in Moses 1:39: "For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

The scriptures truly teach us that we are children of Heavenly Parents. We learn that Heavenly Father commanded Jesus to create this world on which we dwell. We are sent here to gain bodies and mortal experiences that will help us become like our Heavenly Parents. We are here to be tried and tested, to see if we can learn to have faith in Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins, to be baptized by immersion, to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and to continue on a righteous path obeying the commandments of our Heavenly Father.

We are all creators to some degree, as well. Some of us are good artisits; some are good writers; some are great at scrapbooking, etc. The thing is that even though we have minds that can conceive and plan wonderful things, we cannot breath life into them. God, who is all powerful, and the Sumpreme Creator and Master of the Universe, did not just draw blue prints. He took the elements and the materials needed to organize this planet and the universe beyond it. He set everything in motion and he created life. What is amazing about this is that our Father lets us share in creation by giving us procreative powers. He loans us His spirit children to be our children, so that we can learn how to be parents. Life is certainly a miracle, and the perpetuation of life is a miracle.

Who can doubt God's most perfect plan? If God can create life, certainly he can restore life. Because of the resurrection of His Holy Only Begotten Son, every person born on this planet will also be resurrected. That is part of His work and His glory: we will all gain immortality.

His plan included a pre-mortal counsel. God truly chose Jehovah to be born into this world as Jesus Christ. He gave Him the mission to be our Savior. His plan included the glorious resurrection. This is a beautiful world that we live in. We can feel awe and reverence and perfect love as we enjoy the beauties of nature all around us. His plan included the Fall of Adam and Even, and the redemption of all mankind from the Fall through the sufferings, death, atonement, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His plan includes ordinances that will prepare us for exaltation. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We can return to the Father only through Him. And baptism is necessary. And once we have gotten onto the straight and narrow path, we must press forward, feasting upon hHs words and doing His works, and then the Father will grant unto us Eternal Life through the mercy and justice of His Precious Son, our Redeemer.

God looked upon all his creations, and He saw that they were good. He wants all of us to fill the measure of our creation and have joy therein. What is the measure of your creation? You will need to know that God's plan for you is to be happy and to return to Him? He does have a mission for you to perform while you are here in a tabernacle of clay. Pray to Him. He will guide you and give you understanding; he will let you know what is true and what He wants for you to do. Serve Him. He is the true and living God. By loving our fellow men, we are showing Him our devotion and our love. He created this earth for us to enjoy and he created each of us to be brothers and sisters. Let's help each other find truth and happiness and a righteous way of life that will lead to the peace of His Spirit which surpasses all understanding. "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

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