A Thoughtful Gospel Principles. Chapter 5: The Creation

The Creation.

http://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-5-the-creation?lang=eng

Gospel Principles, p.23 When we lived as spirit children with our heavenly parents, our Heavenly Father told us about His plan for us to become more like Him. We shouted for joy when we heard His plan (see Job 38:7). We were eager for new experiences. In order for these things to happen, we needed to leave our Father’s presence and receive mortal bodies. We needed another place to live where we could prepare to become like Him. Our new home was called earth.

We often here people talk of Religion vs Science? Should there be an opposition between the two?

Brigham Young said, in a talk given in 1862:

"How gladly would we understand every principle pertaining to science and art, and become thoroughly acquainted with every intricate operation of nature… How delightful this would be, and what a boundless field of truth and power is open for us to explore!
In an Ensign article in 1987, Morris S. Petersen discussed the different, but complimentary roles of science and religion:

“…the scriptures testify of Jesus Christ and how we may receive the blessings of salvation and exaltation through his atonement. They reveal why (not necessarily how) the earth was created, and what laws and principles a person must follow to obtain eternal life. The goal of science, on the other hand, is to learn how (not why) the world was made and to understand the laws and principles governing the physical world.”
Elder James E. Talmage was invited to talk on a similar topic in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1931. His comments were later published in the church’s newspaper (Deseret News). They have also been quoted in other Ensign articles since them.

The oldest, that is to say the earliest, rocks thus far identified in land masses reveal the fossilized remains of once living organisms, plant and animal. The coal strata, upon which the world of industry so largely depends, are essentially but highly compressed and chemically changed vegetable substance. The whole series of chalk deposits and many of our deep-sea limestones contain the skeletal remains of animals. These lived and died, age after age, while the earth was yet unfit for human habitation.

Reading these remind me that it is not a question of Religion vs Science, but instead a benefit of Religion and Science.

Gospel Principles, p.23 Jesus Christ created this world and everything in it. He also created many other worlds. He did so through the power of the priesthood, under the direction of our Heavenly Father. God the Father said, “Worlds without number have I created; … and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:33).

Gospel Principles, p.24 Under the direction of the Father, Christ formed and organized the earth. He divided light from darkness to make day and night. He formed the sun, moon, and stars. He divided the waters from the dry land to make seas, rivers, and lakes. He made the earth beautiful and productive. He made grass, trees, flowers, and other plants of all kinds. These plants contained seeds from which new plants could grow. Then He created the animals—fish, cattle, insects, and birds of all kinds. These animals had the ability to reproduce their own kind.

The church has no official position on how God create the earth, only why it was created. The church also has not taken a position on how long the earth took to create nor how old it is, but has instead emphasised the gospel of Jesus Christ which teaches us how to live while we have our turn on earth. Members are free to have different personal views about the age of the earth and the manner of creation. Some of the leaders of the church have also expressed their different perspectives on the matter. We don’t know everything, there is yet more to learn.

Joseph Smith taught that in the midst of as-yet unanswered questions, there’s one simply principle to focus on (also quoted by D. Todd Christofferson in April 2012):

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”
Appreciating the beauty and gifts that the earth gives us is one way to express our gratitude for the creation.

Gospel Principles, p.24 We are now living in this beautiful world. Think of the sun, which gives us warmth and light. Think of the rain, which makes plants grow and makes the world feel clean and fresh. Think of how good it is to hear a bird singing or a friend laughing. Think of how wonderful our bodies are—how we can work and play and rest. When we consider all of these creations, we begin to understand what wise, powerful, and loving beings Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are. They have shown great love for us by providing for all of our needs.

People in the scriptures are often seen spending time in nature to be closer to God. Jesus “…went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” (Matt 14:23) Nephi also tells us that “…after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.” (1 Nep. 17:7)

Caring for our world – respecting the creatures that share it and the environment we live in

Gospel Principles, p.25 Plant life and animal life were also made to give us joy. The Lord said, “Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul” (D&C 59:18–19). Even though God’s creations are many, He knows and loves them all. He said, “All things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them” (Moses 1:35).

An article in the Oct 2000 New Era taught the importance of respect for earth’s creatures:

When God created the earth, He also created animals. These animals are ordained for our use, but we will be held accountable for how we treat them.
D&C 104:13-17 “(13)…I, the Lord… make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures. (17) For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves."

Commenting on this verse, Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, in 2002:

"The resources so necessary to sustain human life are so generously provided on this particular planet; unless they are mismanaged, we are told that there is "enough and to spare" (D&C 104:17). "

Sharing a similar message, Elder Russel M. Nelson, wrote in May 2000:

The Creation, great as it is, is not an end in itself but a means to an end. We come to the earth for a brief period of time, endure our tests and trials, and prepare to move onward and upward to a glorious homecoming. Our thoughts and deeds while here will surely be more purposeful if we understand God’s plan and are thankful for and obedient to His commandments.

As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.

An August 1971 Ensign article, commented on the need to respect the earth:

Our environment has been tragically exploited and abused. Although not yet irretrievably befouled, it has deteriorated in too many ways, and a great deal of hard work and effort is required to protect it and repair the damage done by neglect, indifference, and misplaced priorities…. The gospel teaches us that this world is our home, created for us under the direction of a loving Father in heaven, whose sons and daughters we are… As such, it must not be misused or looted, for we are stewards entrusted with its care.
The gospel teaches us there are purposes to life that transcend the acquisition of material things. We are, literally, our brother’s keeper, with responsibilities toward others. Mortal existence is part of an eternal plan designed to return us to the presence of our Creator. Its purposes are primarily spiritual and center on development of the divine potential for growth and advancement that we all have.

The gospel teaches us that we are part of the continuum of human life. We do not stand alone in our generation. We are part of a great eternal… family. We draw from the past and are obligated to give to the future. We have an obligation, therefore, to others yet unborn—an obligation to present to them a world with beauties that they too can enjoy.

In D&C 59:16-20 we are similarly taught that the earth is to be respected and not to excess or extortion:

(16) “…the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth. (17) Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards (19) …for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. (20) And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
The church recently released a statement saying:

"God created the earth to provide a place for the human family to learn, progress and improve. God first created the earth and all living things spiritually, and all living things have great worth in His eyes.
The earth and all things on it should be used responsibly to sustain the human family. However, all are stewards — not owners — over this earth and its bounty and will be accountable before God for what they do with His creations.

Approaches to the environment must be prudent, realistic, balanced and consistent with the needs of the earth and of current and future generations, rather than pursuing the immediate vindication of personal desires or avowed rights. The earth and all life upon it are much more than items to be consumed or conserved. God intends His creations to be aesthetically pleasing to enliven the mind and spirit, and some portions are to be preserved." 

Let us enjoy and respect nature and join with it in singing praises to the heavens.

St. Francis of Assisi, who was born in 1181 in what is now Italy, is credited with the lyrics to “All Creatures of Our God and King.” The lyrics are adapted from “The Canticle of the Sun” (Canticum Solis), a poem he wrote during the last year of his life. Written at a time when he was weak and struggled with periods of temporary blindness, St. Francis wished to express the unity he felt with nature and the feelings of peace he experienced as his earthly life drew to a close.

Nearly 700 years after the death of St. Francis of Assisi, in 1906, music editor Ralph Vaughan Williams published the version of “All Creatures of Our God and King” that we know today. http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/articles/all-creatures-of-our-god-and-king?lang=eng

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Thou burning sun with golden beam

Thou silver moon with softer gleam

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along

Thou rising moon in praise rejoice

Ye lights of evening find a voice

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Thou flowing water pure and clear

Make music for thy Lord to hear

Thou fire so masterful and bright

That gives to man both warmth and light

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

(Next week I'll be away visiting family so will miss the Ch.6 "Adam & Eve" lesson. I'm honestly relieved).