31110, Gospel Principles, Unit Two: Leaving the Presence of God, 5: The Creation, 27
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.
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). We have other testimonies of this truth. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw Jesus Christ in a vision. They testified "that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:24).
* Who created the earth? Read Hebrews 1:1-2 and Moses 1:33.
The earth and everything on it were created spiritually before they were created physically (see Moses 3:5). In planning to create the physical earth, Christ said to those who were with him, "We will go down, for there is space there, ... and we will make an earth whereon these [the spirit children of our Father in Heaven] may dwell" (Abraham 3:24).
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.
Now the earth was ready for the greatest creation of all-mankind. Our spirits would be given bodies of flesh and blood so they could live on earth. "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" (Moses 2:26). And so the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, were formed and given bodies that resembled those of our heavenly parents. "In the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27). When the Lord finished his creations, he was pleased and knew that his work was good, and he rested for a time.
* Show a food recipe or a dress pattern. What is another word for recipe and pattern? (Plan.) Read Abraham 3:24 to show that God plans for all of his creations.
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.
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).
* Discuss how we can show reverence for plants and animals.
* Discuss the purpose of God's creations (see D&C 59:18-19).
* How do God's creations show that he loves us?
* To help develop an appreciation for the beauty of God's creations, you might do the following activities for home evenings: plan a picnic, plant a garden, take a nature walk, enjoy a sunrise or sunset.
* Genesis 1:1-2:7; Abraham 3:22-23 and chapters Abraham 4-5; Moses 1:27-42 and chapters Moses 2-3 (accounts of the Creation)
* Hebrews 1:1-3; Colossians 1:13-17; D&C 38:1-3 (Jesus the Creator)
* D&C 59:18-20; Moses 2:26-31; D&C 104:13-17; Matthew 6:25-26 (Creation shows God's love)
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Jehovah created a beautiful world for us.