The Creation

The temple is a sacred place, and the ordinances in the temple are of a sacred character. Because of its sacredness we are sometimes reluctant to say anything about the temple to our children and grandchildren. Ezra Taft Benson President of the Twelve (“What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About the Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, 6)

As a consequence, many do not develop a real desire to go to the temple, or when they go there, they do so without much background to prepare them for the obligations and covenants they enter into. Ezra Taft Benson President of the Twelve (“What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About the Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, 6)

I believe a proper understanding or background will immeasurably help prepare our youth for the temple. This understanding, I believe, will foster within them a desire to seek their priesthood blessings just as Abraham sought his. Ezra Taft Benson President of the Twelve (“What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About the Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, 6)

The Creation

The Organization of the 3 Eternals The creation involves the organization of: Eternal intelligence (D&C 93:29-30; Abr. 3:18) Physical matter—“The elements are eternal” (D&C 93:33) Spirit matter (D&C 131:7)

How many accounts of the creation do we have?

The Story of the Creation was the Temple Text of the Old Testament … and still is today. What is the context of the creation account revealed to Moses? (see Moses 1:1) What about the account given to Abraham? (Abraham 3:1, 11-12)

Day 1 Throne of God; Heart of Creation; the Source of Light and Life Day 2 The “Firmament;” That which veils God from our view Day 3 Bread & Wine = Vegetation and Fruit Day 4 Menorah = Sun, Moon, and 5 known planets Day 5 Altar of Incense = Clouds; waters above (birds) ?Laver = waters beneath (fishes)? Day 6 Altar of Sacrifice = land animals High Priest = humans

Moses 2, Abraham 4 DAY 1 DAY 4 DAY 2 DAY 5 DAY 3 DAY 6 LIGHT DARKNESS LIGHT / DARKNESS SUN MOON & STARS SUN / MOON & STARS WATERS ABOVE WATERS ABOVE (Clouds) FIRMAMENT WATERS BELOW WATERS BELOW (Seas) BIRDS BIRDS (in the clouds) IRMAMENT FISHES FISHES (in the Seas) DRY LAND LAND ANIMALS HERBS BEARING SEED HERBS BEARING SEED TREES BEARING FRUIT TREES BEARING FRUIT MALE (bearing seed) MALE (bearing seed) FEMALE (bearing fruit) FEMALE (bearing fruit)

Why do you think the Lord tells the accounts of the creation in this way (and in this context)?

The intention of the creation accounts is not to tell us how the earth was made nor how long it took to make it. But… D&C 101:32-34

The Purpose of Creation

Why did God Create the Earth? D&C 49:15-16

Text “Simply summarized, the earth was created that families might be.” ~Elder Russell M. Nelson (Ensign, May 2000, 85)

This earth is but one of many creations over which God presides.… Simply summarized, the earth was created that families might be. Scripture explains that a husband and wife “shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation” (D&C 49:16). And as part of the planned destiny of the earth and its inhabitants, here our kindred dead are also to be redeemed (see D&C 128:15). Russell M. Nelson Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, May 2000, 84)

Families are to be sealed together for all eternity (see D&C 2:2–3; D&C 49:17; D&C 138:48; JS—H 1:39). A welding link is to be forged between the fathers and the children. In our time, a whole, complete, and perfect union of all dispensations, keys, and powers is to be welded together (see D&C 128:18). For these sacred purposes, holy temples now dot the earth. Russell M. Nelson Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, May 2000, 84)

"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. [The story of the rib, of course, is figurative.] Spencer W. Kimball President (Ensign, Mar. 1976, 70-73)

“And I, God said,… Let us make man [not a separate man, but a complete man, which is husband and wife] in our image, after our likeness; and it was so." (Moses 2:26.) What a beautiful partnership! Spencer W. Kimball President (Ensign, Mar. 1976, 70-73)

Neither the man nor the woman were capable of filling the measure of their creation alone. The union of the two was required to complete man in the image of God. Joseph Fielding Smith Quorum of the Twelve (Doctrines of Salvation 2:70)

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