The Creation

Famous Firsts First time finding a cookie picture in a cooking magazine

First time forgetting how a spoon works Famous Firsts First time forgetting how a spoon works

First time a cat licked your feet Famous Firsts First time a cat licked your feet

First time ‘drinking’ from a hose Famous Firsts First time ‘drinking’ from a hose

First time smelling a foot Famous Firsts First time smelling a foot

Famous Firsts First time watching TV

First time tasting ‘sour’ Famous Firsts First time tasting ‘sour’

TODAY: First time that the world was created! Famous Firsts TODAY: First time that the world was created!

(Christ and the Creation, Ensign, June 1982) “Unless and until we gain a true view of the creation of all things, we cannot hope to gain that fulness of eternal reward. An understanding of the doctrine of creation is essential to salvation. ” Bruce R. McConkie (Christ and the Creation, Ensign, June 1982)

The Creation Day 1 Moses 2:2–5 Day 2 Moses 2:6–8 Day 3 Moses 2:9–13   Day 3 Moses 2:9–13 Day 4 Moses 2:14–19 Day 5 Moses 2:20–23 Day 6 Moses 2:24–31 Light Atmosphere/Oceans Land Sun/Moon/Stars Birds/Fish Man

Divisions and Additions Day 1 Divide light from dark Day 2 Divide water above from water beneath Day 3 Divide dry land from water

Divisions and Additions Day 1 Divide light from dark Day 2 Divide water above from water beneath Day 3 Divide dry land from water Day 4 Add sun, moon, stars Day 5 Add fish & fowl Day 6 Earth brings forth life. Man is organized, given dominion.

FORMING

FORMING FILLING

Genesis Light from Darkness Waters Divided Dry land & vegetation Sun, Moon, Stars Animals and Man

Genesis Plan of Salvation Light from Darkness Valiant from Not Valiant Waters Divided Satan Cast Out Dry land & vegetation Earth: Mortal Probation Sun, Moon, Stars Degrees of Glory Animals and Man Exaltation

Genesis Light from Darkness Waters Divided Dry land & vegetation Sun. Moon, Stars Birds and fish Land Animals

Genesis Plagues Light from Darkness Darkness (9th plague) Waters Divided Water to blood (1st plague) Dry land & vegetation Vegetation Destroyed (7th and 8th Plagues) Sun. Moon, Stars Birds and fish Death of Fish; Formation of Frogs (1st and 2nd Plagues) Land Animals Insects, death of beasts, boils, death of the Firstborn

Genesis Light from Darkness Waters Divided Dry land & vegetation Sun. Moon, Stars Animals

Genesis Exodus Light from Darkness Pillar of Fire/Cloud of Darkness Waters Divided Red Sea Parted Dry land & vegetation Cross on Dry Land Sun, Moon, Stars Judgment upon Pharos's army Animals Manna + Quail

Genesis Light from Darkness Waters Divided Dry land & vegetation Sun. Moon, Stars Birds and fish Man Formed

Genesis The Tabernacle Light from Darkness Sacrificial Fire Waters Divided Laver of Water Dry land & vegetation Inner Court Sun, Moon, Stars Shewbread, Candle, Prayer Birds and fish Veil with Cherubim Man Formed Holy of Holies

Genesis Heavens and earth created (1:1) Sun created (1:16) The night established (1:5) The seas created (1:10) The curse announced (3:14-17) Death enters history (3:19) Man driven from the tree (3:24) Sorrow and pain begin (3:17)

Genesis Revelation Heavens and earth created (1:1) New heavens and earth (21:1) Sun created (1:16) No need of the sun (21:23) The night established (1:5) No night there (21:25; 22:5) The seas created (1:10) No more seas (21:1) The curse announced (3:14-17) No more curse (22:3) Death enters history (3:19) No more death (21:4) Man driven from the tree (3:24) Man restored to paradise (21:2) Sorrow and pain begin (3:17) No more mourn/cry/pain (21:4)

Review- Who created? Moses 1:33, Hebrews 1:1-3, John 1:1-3 Why was the earth created? Moses 1:39, D&C 2

“That’s why we’re here on the earth—to form eternal families “That’s why we’re here on the earth—to form eternal families. Many of our youth are losing confidence in the institution of families. They’re placing more and more value on education and less and less importance on forming an eternal family. Many don’t see forming families as a faith-based work.”  (Sister Dalton, March 2011 Ensign)

Do we completely understand the Creation? “I acknowledge that I do not understand the processes of creation, but I accept the fact of it.” Thomas S. Monson, BYU Devotional, November 2007

How long is a day? How old is the earth?

What was the earth made out of? “God brought forth material out of which he formed this little terra firma upon which we roam. How long had this material been in existence? Forever and forever, in some shape, in some condition” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 100).

DINOSAURS

In the early 1900s, questions concerning the Creation became the subject of much public discussion. In the midst of these controversies, the First Presidency issued the following in 1909.

DINOSAURS “The whole series of chalk deposits contain the skeletal remains of animals. These lived and died, age after age, while the earth was not ready for human habitation." (Elder James E. Talmage, Deseret News on 21 November 1931.)

Were there people here before Adam? "I do not regard Adam as related to -- certainly not as descended from -- the Neanderthal, the Cro-Magnon, the Peking or the Piltdown man. Adam came as divinely directed. The adamic race of men are of an entirely different order." (Talmage to F. C. Williamson, 22 Apr. 1933, Talmage Papers. (88)

Were there people here before Adam? "There were no pre-adamic men in the line of Adam. ... There are some things in the strata of the earth indicating there were men before Adam. They were not the ancestors of Adam. Adam was the son of God. ... He did not come up through organic evolution.” (Elder Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, April 5, 1953)

Was Adam made from dirt? “True it is that the body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ embryo, which becomes an infant, quickened at a certain stage by the spirit and the child develops into a man. “There is nothing in this to indicate that the original man began life as anything less than a man, or less than the human embryo that becomes a man.” (“The Origin of Man, Ensign, Feb 2002)

“The Lord brought together Adam and Eve, his first male and first female on this earth, and performed a holy marriage ceremony to make them husband and wife. They were quite different in their makeup, with different roles to play.”(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 192). President Kimball

How large is the known universe? EARTH - 7,000 mile diameter SOLAR SYSTEM - 5 hours for light to reach Pluto MILKY WAY GALAXY - 100,000 light years LOCAL CLUSTER- 4,000,000 light years in diameter LOCAL SUPER CLUSTER - 150,000,000 light years UNIVERSE - 40,000,000,000 light years

How large is the known universe? EARTH - 7,000 mile diameter SOLAR SYSTEM - 5 hours for light to reach Pluto MILKY WAY GALAXY - 100,000 light years LOCAL CLUSTER- 4,000,000 light years in diameter LOCAL SUPER CLUSTER - 150,000,000 light years UNIVERSE - 40,000,000,000 light years

How large is the known universe? Milky Way - 100,000,000,000 stars Average distance between stars = 30 trillion miles. Traveling at 17,000mph (Space Shuttle Speed), how long would it take to get to one average star? 201,000 years If you started when Jesus was born, you’d be 1% there

Star Size Comparison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoW8Tf7hTGA

Star Size Comparison

Was there a creator? What proof is there? What evidence is there? (NONE) What evidence is there? Atheism: Nobody x nothing = everything

Was there a creator? Picture yourself waking up in a new home. As you begin to walk around, you discover your favorite meal on the stove, your favorite books by the fire and your favorite snacks on a table while your favorite Netflix series is playing on the TV. Your favorite art is hanging on the wall, your favorite station is tuned up on the radio, and the thermostat is set to your perfect temperature. You discover gift cards with your name on each to your favorite stores. There’s free Wifi. To top it off, the bed is turned down with your favorite color sheets and bedspread await; your favorite toothpaste is in the bathroom and even the roll of toilet paper is going the right direction! What would you conclude about the owner of this home?

Just Right for Life Just the Right Distance - not too hot, not too cold Just the Right Mass - to hold the right atmosphere The right neighbors - Without Jupiter, scientists predict that Earth would endure 10,000 times as many asteroid strikes The right core and Magnetic Field - protecting from solar radiation and cosmic rays. The right Deep Blue Sea - abundant liquid water is the most significant distinguishing factor on this planet Just the right moon - it’s gravitational tug creates tides Just the right tilt – to allow for seasons to calibrate life

“No idea has been more destructive of happiness, no philosophy has produced more sorrow, more heartbreak and mischief; no idea has done more to destroy the family than the idea that _______________.” Boyd K. Packer Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, May 1992, 66)

“No idea has been more destructive of happiness, no philosophy has produced more sorrow, more heartbreak and mischief; no idea has done more to destroy the family than the idea that we are not the offspring of God, only advanced animals, compelled to yield to every carnal urge.” Boyd K. Packer Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, May 1992, 66)

“Those who believe that our bodies are nothing more than the result of evolutionary chance will feel no accountability to God or anyone else for what they do with or to their body.” D. Todd Christofferson Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, Nov. 2010)

What did God say after each period? (Moses 2:10, 12, 18, 21, 25) What do you have in common with the creator? What things has God left unfinished on the earth? What things has God left unfinished in your life?

The Creation