John taught that all things were made by Jesus Christ. The gift of creation comes with duties and responsibilities. We can find opportunities to care for the earth in our communities, in our neighborhoods, and even in our own yards. We honor God by caring for His creations.
All Creatures
Based on: Psalm 148 Core message: The more fully we embrace our identity as sons and daughters of God, the more of a connection we feel with His other creations. Related Book of Mormon passages: Mosiah 28:3, Alma 18:28-36, Alma 22:10-13
When I Consider Thy Heavens
Based on: Psalm 8 Core message: Interacting with God's creations fills us with a sense of awe and wonder. Related Book of Mormon passage: Alma 30:44
All Things
When Alma testified to Korihor that "all things denote there is a God," he listed a number of things which most of us don't pay much attention to during a typical day: "the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form" (Alma... Continue Reading →
Creation as Grace
King Benjamin wanted his people to recognize the extraordinary gifts they had received from God. It is impossible to be grateful enough, he said. God has given us far more than we can even adequately acknowledge: If you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created... Continue Reading →
Being Created
First, three premises: To create something doesn't mean to bring it into existence. It means to organize preexisting materials in a new way. (See Joseph Smith's explanation of the Hebrew word bara' (בָּרָא) as recorded by William Clayton, General Conference, April 1844.)The Creation isn't an event that occurred in the past. It is ongoing. (See... Continue Reading →
Sequential Creation
God created the earth in stages. That's how He described the process to Abraham and to Moses. Here is His description of the process, as given in Genesis 1, Moses 2, and Abraham 4: Stage (Day)Task(s)Scripture References1Create lightDivide light from darknessGenesis 1:3-5Moses 2:3-5Abraham 4:3-52Create an expanse or firmament (the atmosphere) Divide waters on the ground... Continue Reading →
The Creator
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.John 1:3 The scriptures teach that Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth under the direction of the Father. "Worlds without number have I created," God told Moses, "...and by the Son I created them" (Moses 1:33). Multiple... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Creation of the Earth?
It's so easy to have a narrow perspective. Our brains have finite capacity, and we all have tasks that must be done today. Focusing on the here and now may seem to be imperative. But provincial thinking can result in distorted perception and poor decisions. Book of Mormon prophets understood the importance of seeing the... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 