Dear Gramps,

If on the first day of creation the light was called Day and the darkness Night, where did the light come from if the sun wasn’t created until the fourth day?  Thanks!

Shannon

Answer

Shannon,

One of the most persistent misunderstandings concerning the Creation story is the interpretation of the word “day.” In modern English, “day” typically refers to a 24-hour period, determined by the Earth’s rotation relative to the Sun. However, as numerous Latter-day Saint scholars and leaders emphasize, the Hebrew word used in Genesis—*yom*—carries a broader meaning. It can denote not only a literal day but also an undefined period or era.

When you refer to the scriptural reference that the earth was made in seven days, … those days were not the 24-hour periods that were defined after the earth was set up in this solar system. The word “day” in Genesis should be understood as an indeterminate period of time, rather than as a literal solar day. Indeed, the Book of Abraham and Moses frequently use “time” in place of “day,” further emphasizing this non-literal usage.

Hugh Nibley, renowned Latter-day Saint scholar, elaborates: “Our texts make it very clear that we are not to measure the time and periods involved by our chronometers and calendars. Until Adam underwent that fatal change of habitat … nothing is to be measured in our years, ‘for… the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning’ (Abraham 5:13).” The periods are numbered but never measured—these scriptural “days” describe phases of organization rather than precise schedules.

Many readers question the seeming contradictions among the scriptural, temple, and scientific accounts of creation. For example, Genesis describes the creation of light before the sun, and the emergence of plants before the sun, moon, and stars. Others note apparent discrepancies in the recounting of events between the books of Genesis, Moses, Abraham, and the teachings presented in Latter-day Saint temples.

It is essential to acknowledge, as noted by Latter-day Saint leaders and scholars, that these differences are not errors nor contradictions in doctrine. Rather, they result from different literary goals and intended teachings. The complexity of Creation could not truly be encapsulated in such arbitrary divisions in such a brief narrative. … This was a difference in literary methodology, not attempts at historical accuracy. … The Genesis and Abraham accounts were not an attempt at the actual chronology of creation, but rather to illustrate the general stages of a project. Each account uses literary symbols and poetic devices to emphasize spiritual truths rather than provide a play-by-play record.

This symbolism is consistent with ancient scriptural traditions: the creation accounts in scripture, as well as the temple, both serve to teach principles—about order, purpose, and God’s role in the universe—through structured narrative, drama, and ritual. As Nibley writes, “The sequence of creation isn’t supposed to be historical. The true chronology of creation is far beyond the scope of a short ceremony. It was written, not as a historical record, but as a literary device designed to teach a point.” Comparing the four Gospels, which often vary in chronology and details, he argues that the value lies not in perfect chronological harmony but in the overarching message and symbolism they convey.

A frequent question pertains to the “light” mentioned on the first day of creation, given before the creation or organization of sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day (Genesis 1:3–19). Did God create light before creating the celestial bodies that produce it? According to Latter-day Saint understanding, this first light was not the sun, but something more fundamental and profound.

The scriptures teach that God himself is the source of light. Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13 describes the “light of Christ” as the power that is “in all and through all things,” illuminating sun, moon, stars, and all creation. Elder John Taylor explained, “God caused light to shine upon [the earth] before the sun appeared in the firmament for God is light, and in him there is no darkness. He is the light of the sun … the light of the moon … the light of the stars….” This idea—that creation begins with an infusion of divine light or energy, paralleling cosmological concepts such as the Big Bang—emphasizes the spiritual dimension inherent in the earliest stages of creation.

Nibley, too, remarks that the “light” is not limited to the visible spectrum, but includes all wavelengths and energies necessary for life, organization, and the carrying out of God’s purposes. The spiritual symbolism here is powerful: Christ is called “the light of the world,” and this light divides between darkness and light, both physically and morally (see John 1:5) Later, in the progression of creation, God organizes smaller “lights”—the sun, moon, and stars—as products and manifestations of that original, divine source.

The process and purpose of creation are revealed as more than assembling matter or setting the stage for biological life; they reflect God’s love, forethought, and ongoing guidance.  Modern revelation affirms that this world—and all worlds—were organized according to divine law and order. As Kent Jackson summarizes, “God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens and gave them their laws, conditions, and bounds which they cannot pass except by his command. They all move in perfect harmony in their sphere and order and are as wonders, lights, and signs unto us.”

Furthermore, the creation accounts end with the Sabbath—a day of rest, not because God needed respite, but as a symbol of completion, joy, and reflection. The command to remember the Sabbath is a reminder to contemplate the majesty of God’s works and our stewardship of the earth.

Gramps

Gramps,

Why did Joseph Smith say that God had not the power to create our spirits if He had not the power to create Himself? This puts me at odds with Moses Chapter 3.

Rob

Answer

Rob,

A single statement in a single speech is not all there is to say about a topic.  Were his words from one speech all-inclusive?  Did every single word he said include all the ifs, ands, and buts about the topic?  Of course not.

The first point I’ll make is that Joseph was explaining a new concept.  They had learned that we existed as spirits before this life.  That was something new for a world of Christians who believed they were all made ex nihilo upon conception.

At the time, Doctrine & Covenants 93 had already given some statements/definitions regarding intelligence.  However, it was not fully developed.  It isn’t just some “radiating energy” from our being.  It IS our being.  And it is that being that he was referring to as being eternal.

Quotes are from King Follett Sermon:

The mind or the intelligence which man possesses is co-equal [co-eternal] with God himself.

Clearly this was the eternal aspect of our beings.  We are co-eternal with God because we always existed in some primitive “chaotic” form.

Many may have heard the word intelligence and simply believed it to be the mundane meaning of having knowledge or being smart.  No, this was a different concept entirely.  Yet it is the closest English word to describe it.

God had materials to organize the world out of chaos—chaotic matter, which is element

The audience was already familiar with the creation of the world.  But they hadn’t fully grasped the doctrine that, just as God made our physical bodies out of pre-existing chaotic physical matter, He also made our “spirit bodies” (Moses 3) from pre-existing chaotic spiritual matter.

Now, he had to reveal that we existed as intelligences even before our spirits were formed.  This is more difficult than we give credit for.  These are people who just had their worldview turned on its head, then a new doctrine was introduced (pre-mortal spirit creation).  Now, he was attempting to teach that this core of our being (intelligences) had always existed before even our spirits were formed.  That’s a lot for people grasp in a short period of time.

To teach this new concept, he applied a technique of master teaching that many would do well to imitate, when trying to introduce a completely unfamiliar concept, especially one that was so similar to, but slightly different from a concept they had just learned.

Up to that point, his audience, as yet, didn’t really understand the concept of intelligence as a “type of being.” Doctrine & Covenants  93 only speaks of intelligence as

• Light & Truth (v. 29)
• Glory (v. 36)
• Section 93 also hints at something more: the ability to act (v.30).  And most people didn’t pick up on that.

He was trying to connect the concepts using the word spirit to sometimes mean what we call intelligence today.

So, he has to explain that, not only did we have an existence before this life, but we had an existence before our spirits were formed.  So, to draw them into this new concept, he juxtaposes the two words.

I am dwelling on the immortality of the spirit of man. Is it logical to say that the intelligence of spirits is immortal, and yet that it has a beginning? The intelligence of spirits had no beginning, neither will it have an end. That is good logic. That which has a beginning may have an end.

Then he takes a step back (linking them again) to allow the audience to catch up.

There never was a time when there were not spirits; for they are co-equal [co-eternal] with our Father in heaven.
…

Intelligence is eternal and exists upon a self-existent principle. It is a spirit from age to age and there is no creation about it. All the minds and spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement.

Then, after he spends time talking about repentance and forgiveness, he finally goes full intelligence on us.

He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with Himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits.

So, while Moses 3 does correctly reveal that The Lord did create our spirit forms from chaotic matter, Joseph also reveals the doctrine that intelligence is that quality (or chaotic spiritual matter) from which our spirits were formed (Moses 3) whereby we are able to choose, to act, and to gain more knowledge, power, and glory.

Gramps

Gramps,

Answer

John,

In April 2014, astronomers announced the discovery of Kepler-186f, a planet located approximately 500 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. This planet is particularly noteworthy because it is situated in the habitable zone of its star, meaning it is at the right distance to potentially support liquid water—an essential ingredient for life as we know it. The Kepler space telescope, which operated from 2009 to 2013, played a crucial role in identifying this planet by monitoring the brightness of stars and detecting the slight dimming that occurs when a planet transits in front of its host star.

Kepler-186f is classified as an exoplanet, a term used to describe planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. It is approximately 10% larger than Earth and is believed to be rocky, which further increases its potential for habitability. According to the Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia, as of now, 1,783 exoplanets have been confirmed, with 350 of them being roughly the size of Earth. The discovery of Kepler-186f is a significant milestone in the search for life beyond our planet, as it represents a tangible example of a potentially habitable world.

The implications of finding Earth-like planets extend far beyond mere scientific curiosity. The existence of Kepler-186f suggests that there may be billions of other planets in our galaxy that could also support life. A study conducted by astronomers at the Universities of California-Berkeley and Hawaii indicates that the Milky Way may contain tens of billions of Earth-sized, possibly habitable planets. This staggering number raises profound questions about our place in the universe and the nature of life itself.

The search for extraterrestrial life has been a topic of interest for scientists and theologians alike. Many scientists argue that the discovery of life on other planets would challenge traditional religious beliefs, particularly those that center around the uniqueness of Earth and humanity. However, for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the existence of life beyond Earth is not only plausible but is also supported by scripture.

Latter-day Saint teachings provide a unique perspective on the existence of life beyond Earth. In the Pearl of Great Price, the ancient prophets Moses, Enoch, and Abraham recount their encounters with God, who reveals the vastness of His creations. Moses is told, “Worlds without number have I created” (Moses 1:33), suggesting that the universe is filled with countless inhabited worlds. This belief aligns with the scientific findings regarding the potential for life on other planets, including Kepler-186f.

The Church’s cosmological views emphasize that God is not limited to our planet or even our solar system. The existence of other worlds inhabited by sentient beings is not only possible but is also a reflection of God’s infinite creative power. As the prophet Enoch states, “Were it possible to number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of Thy creations” (Moses 7:30). This perspective encourages members of the Church to embrace scientific discoveries that suggest the existence of life beyond Earth, viewing them as complementary to their faith rather than contradictory.

The intersection of science and theology is a rich area of exploration, particularly when it comes to the question of extraterrestrial life. The discovery of Kepler-186f serves as a bridge between these two realms, prompting discussions about the implications of life beyond our planet. While some may view the search for extraterrestrial life as a challenge to religious beliefs, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints see it as an affirmation of their faith.

The Church’s teachings suggest that God’s creations are not confined to Earth, and the existence of other worlds inhabited by intelligent beings is a possibility that aligns with their understanding of the divine. This belief is echoed in the writings of Church leaders, who have expressed that the vastness of the universe is a testament to God’s greatness. As one Church leader noted, “No reasonable person will, I think, doubt that the tendency of modern research has been in favor of the supposition that there may be life on some of the other globes.”

Science plays a crucial role in expanding our understanding of the universe and our place within it. The discovery of Kepler-186f and other exoplanets challenges us to reconsider our assumptions about life and the cosmos. It invites us to explore the possibility that we are not alone in the universe and that God’s creations extend far beyond what we can see.

The Church encourages its members to engage with scientific inquiry and to seek knowledge about the universe. This pursuit of knowledge is not seen as a threat to faith but as a means of deepening one’s understanding of God’s creations. As Latter-day Saints  explore the implications of discoveries like Kepler-186f, they are reminded of the words of the prophet Joseph Smith, who taught that “space is infinite” and that “there are no outside curtains to it.” This perspective fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe, encouraging believers to seek answers to the profound questions that arise from scientific discoveries.

Gramps

Gramps,

Why are there two creations of humans listed in Genesis? There is Genesis 1:26-27 And then God rested on the 7th day. Then, there is another creation of humans in Genesis 2:7-8.

Shasta

Answer

Shasta,

Thank you for a great question.

Genesis 1 presents a grand, cosmological overview of creation, emphasizing the orderly and purposeful nature of God’s creative work. This account systematically describes the creation of the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, waters and land, celestial bodies, flora and fauna, and finally, humans. The repeated phrase, “And God said,” shows the power of God’s word in bringing forth creation.

In this narrative, humanity is created in the image of God (“Imago Dei”), signifying a unique relationship between humans and the divine. This designation implies inherent dignity, moral responsibility, and a capacity for a relationship with God. The mention of both male and female being created together highlights the intended harmony and equality in human relationships. Importantly, Genesis 1 focuses on the spiritual dimensions of creation, presenting humanity’s divine origin and purpose.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints interprets Genesis 1 as a declaration of the spiritual creation of man, emphasizing that humans possess a divine nature and destiny. This perspective aligns with the broader theological understanding that humans are meant to reflect God’s character and engage in a purposeful existence within His creation.

Contrasting with the expansive narrative of Genesis 1, Genesis 2 delves into the particulars of human creation, offering a more detailed and humanist account. This chapter focuses on the formation of the first man, Adam, and subsequently, the first woman, Eve. It describes God forming Adam from the dust of the ground and breathing life into his nostrils, thereby imbuing him with a living soul.

The detailed description in Genesis 2 serves to highlight the intimate and personal relationship between God and humanity. It portrays God not as a distant creator but as an active participant in the formation of man, crafting him by hand and providing him with a companion. This narrative emphasizes the physical aspects of creation, such as the environment of the Garden of Eden, the naming of animals, and the establishment of human relationships.

The Book of Moses, as interpreted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, points out that Genesis 2 accounts for the physical creation, distinguishing it from the spiritual creation described in Genesis 1. This distinction reinforces the belief that humanity’s existence encompasses both spiritual and physical dimensions, each with its unique attributes and purposes.

The dual creation accounts in Genesis have been subject to various interpretations, ranging from literal historical readings to allegorical and symbolic understandings. The allegorical perspective posits that Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 represent two distinct facets of creation: the former addressing the spiritual genesis of humanity and the latter detailing the physical embodiment of humans within creation.

From this viewpoint, Genesis 1 establishes the foundational theological truth of humans being created in God’s image, highlighting their divine potential and moral responsibilities. Genesis 2 complements this by illustrating the tangible aspects of human existence, such as physical needs, relationships, and stewardship of the earth. This duality suggests a comprehensive narrative that encapsulates both the spiritual and material dimensions of human life.

Moreover, this interpretation aligns with the belief in a harmonious relationship between the spiritual and physical realms, asserting that humanity’s purpose transcends mere physical existence. It emphasizes that humans are meant to live meaningful lives that reflect divine attributes while engaging with the physical world in responsible and loving ways.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces this multifaceted understanding of creation, viewing the two Genesis accounts as complementary rather than contradictory. This perspective fosters a holistic view of human nature, acknowledging both the spiritual essence and physical embodiment of individuals.

Reconciling the two creation accounts in Genesis involves recognizing the complementary nature of Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. Rather than perceiving them as conflicting narratives, they can be understood as addressing different aspects of the same overarching story of creation.

Genesis 1 provides a universal view, outlining the sequential creation events that establish the universe’s structure and the foundational role of humanity within it. It emphasizes the sovereignty and omnipotence of God, showing the intentionality behind creation. The focus here is on establishing the divine order and the purpose endowed to humanity as image-bearers of God.

Genesis 2, on the other hand, zooms into the representation, offering a detailed portrayal of the human individual and their immediate environment. This narrative personalizes creation, providing insights into the relational dynamics between God and humans, as well as between humans themselves. The emphasis is on the relational and interactive aspects of existence, such as companionship, responsibility, and moral agency.

By integrating these perspectives, a unified narrative emerges that portrays creation as both orderly and intimate, vast and personal. This synthesis reflects a comprehensive understanding of human existence that acknowledges both spiritual and physical realities, fostering a balanced view of humanity’s place in the world.

Gramps

Gramps,

I believe that humans have been around for a very, very long time. The whole thing about the earth being just 6000 years old doesn’t bother me that much because I don’t believe that’s the Church’s official stance. However, I believe that Adam and Eve were on the earth much longer than 6000 years ago. I’ve seen some of your stuff about Adam and Eve happening in 4000 BC, but I have other beliefs that conflict with that. Does that go against official church doctrine?

Alston

Answer

Alston,

To answer your question directly, I’m not aware of any official Church position on a date for the first when the events of the Garden of Eden occurred.  There is also no official position on what aspects of biological evolution (a-la natural selection) are factual vs conjecture.  But more importantly, we need to acknowledge this point:

That which we consider to be an archaeological discovery of Homo Sapiens does not necessarily equate to what we might call a “Child of God.”  The fossil remains of the bodies are merely the elements of the dust of the earth.  A Child of God is determined by the nature of the spirit entombed inside that body.

I’m afraid there is no scripture, no prophecy (as far as I’m aware), and certainly no scientific knowledge describing when that differentiation took place.  The timeline of when Adam and Eve walked the earth is only described by tradition, not historical records.  So much of their story from the Bible is allegory (including the names Adam and Eve) that it is difficult to extract out the literal facts from the spiritual message told by their story.

We do know that the couple whom we call our first parents did, indeed, exist.  We also know that there was a Garden of Eden.  When was that?  Who were they?  What were their real mortal names?  We don’t know.

The Garden of Eden.

So, the question I’d ask you is this: Does it matter? 

We don’t read the Bible to learn about the birthdates of a couple of celebrities.  We read the Bible to learn of our relationship with God.  And the best way for us to learn about that relationship is with a literal reading.  The stories told in the Bible tell us who we are and about our relationship with Him.

It would be simply impractical to read a literal history, it would fill up the entire Library of Congress and would mean nothing to us.  The important bits were spread throughout time at such a gradual pace, that we simply couldn’t see the important bits nor how they were connected.

So, the “historian” who wrote the books in our current format wrote it in allegorical form to provide the most succinct message that we can glean from the annals of history regarding our origins and relationship with God.  If we are to get any real benefit from such a prolonged history, a literal telling would be meaningless.  But if we treat the “history” of Adam and Eve as we have it as if it were literal, the messages become very clear.

Finally, it is important to remember that I am NOT saying this is a made-up story.  It is not.  I’m saying that the story is not written for the purpose of historical authenticity.  Its purpose is to provide a much more important truth that has so many layers to it that no piece of literature on the planet can compete with it.

We also don’t know which parts really were historical vs. allegorical.  So, we can’t just write this off as “literature.”  We should regard that story with the respect it deserves.

The story is not about when they lived.  It is about how they lived.  And we can learn so much from that.

Gramps

Gramps,

Where was Adam and Eve formed before they were put into the Garden of Eden?

Diane

Answer

Dear Diane,

The garden of Eden took up only part of the earth. According to the creation accounts, Adam was created on earth – though we don’t have a name for the location that took place:

Abraham 5:7 And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his spirit (that is, the man’s spirit), and put it into him; and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

 

8 And the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden, and there they put the man, whose spirit they had put into the body which they had formed.

The Moses account clarifies that the creation happened spiritually first, and then physically:

Moses 3:5 … For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air;

 

6 But I, the Lord God, spake, and there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

 

7 And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word.

 

8 And I, the Lord God, planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there I put the man whom I had formed.

Genesis 2:6   But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

 

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

8  And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

In all three accounts, later in the cited chapters, after Adam has been placed in Eden, the Lord causes Adam to sleep, takes one of Adam’s ribs, forms Eve from it, and brings her to Adam.

So, spiritually, like the rest of us, Adam and Eve were created in heaven (Moses 3:5). Physically, Adam was created somewhere on the earth, and Eve was created either in Eden, or somewhere else on earth (none of the accounts is specific beyond the fact that Adam was in Eden at the time of Eve’s creation).

I hope that answers your question, Diane, and that you will study these accounts on your own, praying for the Spirit to teach you, for there are many lessons to be found in them.

Gramps

Hello Gramps!

I am having an issue with my parents about the religious upbringing of my 7 year old son. My parents have stated that Mormons serve Satan? I know through research that this is false, and have decided to investigate many religions to compare their ideals. I am asking them all one question, and it has to do with the creation story. God created the universe and everything in it during a 7 day span. My question, as silly as it sounds is this……Where do the dinosaurs fit in?  I know it’s a goofy question but also a loaded one as well. Please respond! Thanks very much.

Chris

Answer

Dear Chris,

I’m glad that you have determined that your parents’ opinion about the Mormon Church is not the truth. However, it may be interesting to note that their belief is a demonstration that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the true Church, and in fact is the veritable kingdom of God on the earth. Here’s the point–there are over 800 different Christian denominations in the United States. Which of these denominations is maligned more than any other? It is without any doubt the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormon Church. Why would that be so, especially when the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the very foundation of the Church and the center of its teachings? And the Mormon view of the Savior is the most Godly, elevated view of the mortal life of the Savior, of the nature of His divine mission and of the extent of His saving grace of any of the other Christian churches, without exception! And what is the hue and cry raised by the sectarian clergy? They preach to their congregations that the Mormons are not Christians!!! What would be the source of such a devilish teaching? You’re right, the devil, himself!!

Satan is certainly aligned against all that is good, but he inspires all who he can influence to align themselves against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, specifically because it is the only religious organization in existence that has the power to elevate man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, as Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:13 is the very purpose of the Church.

Now to address your question about dinosaurs– In the first place you state that “God created the universe and everything in it during a 7 day span.” That again is a completely and obviously false old sectarian notion, which comes from a very superficial and inaccurate interpretation of the creation account in Genesis. The word, “day”, that describes the six creative periods in Genesis 1, is translated into English from the Hebrew word, yowm, which is used not only for day, but also for time. The passage in the Bible could more correctly have been translated as “And the evening and the morning were the first time”. So the true translation of the term, yowm, in the biblical creation account is time, not day. Thus the earth was created in six periods of time, the length of which was not revealed.

The record of the creation account as given in the Book of Abraham, in the Pearl of Great Price, which was translated from Egyptian hieroglyphs into English, is as follows:

And the Gods said among themselves: On the seventh time we will end our work, which we have counseled; and we will rest on the seventh time from all our work which we have counseled (Abr 5:2).

Even for some period of time after the creation, indeed until well after the advent of Adam and Eve to the earth, the day as we know it had not been defined, as we learn in Abraham 5:13—

But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord’s time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning.

So, since we do not know the lengths of the perios, or times, of the creation, and that time as we know it was not measured until somewhere about the time of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, it is pointless to try to assign a given period to the advent or to the demise of the dinosaurs.

However, we learn from paleontology that dinosaurs flourished from about 230 to about 65 million years ago. Again, there are very serious problems with the dating technique used by paleontologists. Potassium-Argon dating is the only viable technique for dating paleontological artifacts. Geologists have used this method to establish dates for rocks which give results as much as 4 billion years old. It is based on the fact that one of the radioactive isotopes of Potassium–Potassium 40 (K40), decays to the gas Argon as Argon 40 (Ar40). By comparing the proportion of K40 to Ar40 in a sample of volcanic rock, and knowing the decay rate of K40, the date that the rock was formed is determined. However, the method is so unreliable that it is of little practical value as a geological time clock. The testing performed on volcanic rocks in Hawaii should be sufficient to exclude this method from further use. Ar40 tests performed on rocks from lava flows in Hawaii known to have occurred in1800 and 1801 were dated by the radioactive potassium-argon method as having occurred 160 million years ago and 2.96 billion years ago!

So nothing contradictory about the creation process, the advent of Adam and Eve, and the advent and demise of dinosaurs has ever been established!

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

In reading the book of Moses and Genesis, the description of the creation seems to indicate that the beasts of the field were created at the same time as Man and Woman. There are teachings that indicate Adam and Eve were created separately on the sixth day. Can you help with this inconsistency?

George

Answer

Dear George,

The scriptures relate the accounts of two separate creations. The first, as revealed in the Book of Abraham, Chapter 4, was a spiritual creation, which preceded the physical creation. An analogy of the spiritual creation would be the process in creating a large office building. The building is created first on paper by the architect. In the architect’s plans and drawings every detail of the building exists–the dimensions of the building and every detail in it; the materials of which it is made, the colors with which it will be painted, the design and location of all the services; water, with all the pipes completely specified, including the material of which they will be constructed, the size, dimensions and locations of all the pipes, and every other detail of all the plumbing in the building. The electrical services will be designed and displayed in equal detail; the same for the heating and air conditioning, as well was all the details of the surrounding grounds. And yet, no physical building will exist. From the account in Abraham 4, we read—

First, the earth is created.

And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is, the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth. Abr. 4:1

And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light; and there was light Abr. 4:3

And the Gods ordered the expanse, so that it divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so even as they ordered. Abr. 4:7

And the Gods ordered, saying: Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the earth come up dry, and it was so as they ordered. Abr 4:9

All the above is in the past tense—“They organized and formed” “it was so even as they ordered.”

Beginning with Abr. 4:11 the Gods speak of what they plan to do—

“Let us prepare the earth to bring forth grass,” “the Gods organized the earth to bring forth grass,”

The earth was prepared for planting, but the planting had not yet taken place.

Next, the Gods caused day and night to occur.

And the Gods organized the lights in the expanse of the heaven, and caused them to divide the day from the night. Abr: 4:14

After this they prepared the earth for animal life.

And the Gods said: Let us prepare the waters to bring forth abundantly the moving creatures that have life; and the fowl, that they may fly above the earth in the open expanse of heaven. Abr. 4:20

And the Gods prepared the waters, Abr. 4:21

And the Gods prepared the earth to bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping things, and beast of the earth after their kind, Abr 4:24

And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth the beasts after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after its kind; Abr 4:25

The Abrahamic narrative next reports the plans of the Gods to put man on the earth.

Let us go down and form man in our image Abr 4:26

So the Gods went down to organize man in their own image, in the image of the Gods to form they him, male and female to form they them. Abr. 4:27

And the Gods said, we will bless them . . We will cause them to be fruitful and multiply . . . we will give them every herb bearing seed . . . and also we will give them every green herb for meat, and all these things shall be thus organized. Abr 4:28-30

All the above reports planned for future action, as confirmed in Abr. 5:5

 for the Gods had not caused it to rain upon the earth when they counseled to do them, and had not formed a man to till the ground.

After organizing the earth with its dry land, sea, air and moisture, and then preparing it for plant and animal life, and for the advent of Adam, Adam was brought to the earth.

And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground. Abr. 5:7

Next, the Gods caused vegetation to grow on the earth.

And the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden. . . And out of the ground made the Gods to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. Abr 5:8-9

Next, the Gods brought the animals to the earth.

And out of the ground the Gods formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air. Abr. 5:20

Thus, the Gods first created the earth, then planned its development. The plan proceeded from the advent of plants to animals and finally to man. However, in the actual process of populating the earth after its creation, Adam came first, then vegetation was introduced and finally the animal kingdom was brought forth.

How long was Adam here before the fall? That is not known, but it is stated that when Adam received the instruction concerning the tree of knowledge of good and evil, time as we know it was not yet being measured.

Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord’s time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning. Abr. 5:13

We learn much additional information about the creation process from the words of the modern day prophets. The Prophet Brigham Young specifically states that Adam was born on another earth and was the chief operator in the development of this world. He records—

“Though we have it in history that our Father Adam was made of the dust of this earth and that he knew nothing about his God previous to being made here, yet it is not so; and when we learn the truth we shall see and understand that he helped to make this world and was the chief manager in that operation.

“He was the person who brought the animals and the seeds from other planets to this world and brought a wife with him and stayed here. You may read and believe what you please as to what is found written in the Bible. Adam was made from the dust of an earth, but not from the dust of this earth. He was made as you and I are made, and no person was ever made upon any other principle.”

The planning of this earth and its actual creation were carried out in chiastic order. In the planning stage, plants and animals were created first, followed by the advent of Adam and Eve. In the actual work of creation, Adam came first and was instrumental in the succeeding advent of plants and animals.

The creation account in Moses relates that

I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also;

Thus the Book of Moses account is the account of its physical creation, with Adam coming first. The continuation of this verse confirms that it is referring to the physical creation by making reference to a prior spiritual creation, as the verse continues—

nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word. (Moses 3:7).

The biblical account in Genesis 1, and the first part of Chapter 2 speaks of the spiritual creation, ending with Gen. 2:4-5

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

 

And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground (Gen 2:4-5).

Genesis 2:6-7 begin the account of the physical creation, with man as the first of the creation process—

But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

 

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Gen 2:6-7).

Following the advent of Adam and Eve, the Bible gives a sketchy account of the physical creation, mentioning the plants but not the animals.

Gramps

Gramps,

I’m really trying to get some some clarification on this: in the scriptures (Moses, Abraham, Book of Genesis) the lights in the firmament were created and placed on the fourth day. In another place (non scriptural) it says they were created on the third day. Why is there a major discrepancy between the temple and scripture? I’ll be honest it is shaking my faith some because it makes me feel like none of it can be trusted.

Bernie

Answer

Bernie,

You’re talking about three narratives that can take anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes to recount.  Could the complexity of Creation truly be encapsulated in such arbitrary divisions in such a brief narrative?  Of course not.  So, obviously, this was a difference in literary methodology, not because of attempts at historical accuracy.  And there is quite a bit of symbolism here.  This is a common thing for scriptures and many semi-historical works.  They will give differing accounts to focus on different messages using different literary devices.  And when we have different authors, we also must account for different writing styles and personal points of view.

The four gospels all give differing accounts of the life of the Savior.  They agree on the overall story.  But they do disagree on many little details.  In fact they even disagree on some chronology just as the differing accounts of the days of creation do.  They also disagree on some details of miracles and words the Savior spoke.  Perhaps they should all be deemed untrustworthy?  I’m sure you know better than that.

Jesus’ last supper was to be the Passover meal.  It was only after Passover that he was crucified.  But the Book of John gives the account that Jesus died on the feast of the Passover.  Symbolically, he was the lamb to be slaughtered for the Passover.  But the other accounts did not use that symbolic language.  They wrote what they believed to be an accurate account for that one segment of the story.  And they declared that he ate a Passover meal and was crucified after.

In the same way, the Temple ceremony is full of symbolism.  The sequence of creation isn’t supposed to be historical.  The true chronology of creation is far beyond the scope of a short ceremony.  It was written, not as a historical record, but as a literary device designed to teach a point.  And that point differs from the central focus of Moses’ and Abraham’s accounts.  Because of the sacred nature of the temple, I won’t go over what that point is on an open forum such as this.  But you can ask your temple president about it the next time you visit the temple.  But this same sequence (the point it makes) is repeated throughout the ceremony many times.  As a hint, consider what happens during the creation story in the temple of which there is no mention in the Moses account, and only a partial mention in the Abraham account (the Abraham account also teaches different principles than the Moses account).

The Genesis and Abraham accounts were also not an attempt at the actual chronology of creation, but to show the general stages of projects. The stages are:

• Create framework: categorize/separate/organize (light and dark were separated ; waters were separated from waters — i.e. sky and sea ; water separated from dry land)
• Multiply & Replenish/Fill (sun, moon, stars fill the sky ; creatures fill the water and sky ; land creatures fill the land)
• Complete the project: man is created to have dominion over all.
• Have joy and give glory to God. (Rest on the Sabbath and recognize the beauty of the earth that the Lord has provided.  Give glory to him for such creation)

Notice that plants are on the earth before the sun shines in the sky.  This is obviously not supposed to be literally sequential.

As we consider the temple account, there is obviously some overlap with these.  But the temple message is supposed to be different.  Thus it has a different narrative.  There are additional levels and poetry involved in all the accounts.  And as we delve into these differences, the overall story carries much more meaning than is obvious from a superficial reading.

Pray, read the Book of Mormon.  Read the Pearl of Great Price.  Attend the temple regularly, and you should be able to pick up on why they are different.

Gramps

Gramps,

While reading in Moses Chapter 1 I noticed it states:

37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
38 And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.

Can you tell me if there are truly multiple heavens, possibly one for each “earth”?  Or  some other meaning?

Jeffrey

Answer

Jeffrey,

I believe you’ve become the victim of multiple definitions. To explain, let’s take a look at the verses in question.

36 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.

 

37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.  Moses 1:36-37

Here is the definition from Dictionary.com that is being used.

Usually, heavens. the sky, firmament, or expanse of space surrounding the earth.

So, to say that “the heavens are many” simply refers to objects in outer space.

President Brigham Young said:

“How many earths are there? I observed this morning that you may take the particles of matter composing this earth, and if they could be enumerated they would only be a beginning to the number of the creations of God; and they are continually coming into existence, and undergoing changes and passing through the same experience that we are passing through” (“Remarks,” Deseret News, Aug. 24, 1870, 343).

Elder Robert D. Hales also said:

Just think of what science and astronomy tell us about the expanse of the solar system and the universe. Our solar system centers on the sun, one of a huge group of stars on the order of 100 billion stars swirling around a huge pinwheel-shaped mass called the Milky Way galaxy, which is about 100,000 light-years across. Astronomers cannot see to the end of the universe, but evidence suggests that the vastness of space contains billions of galaxies stretching for an expanse of 5 billion to 15 billion light-years away from the sun. Compared with such distances, our solar system occupies a very tiny amount of space. The universe is virtually incomprehensible to man (see Compton’s Living Encyclopedia, s.v. “Solar System”).

 

We sing in praise:

 

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

 

Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,

 

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

 

Thy pow’r thru-out the universe displayed;

 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,

 

How great thou art! How great thou art!

 

(Hymns, no. 86)

 

(“In Remembrance of Jesus,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 25)

If we instead believe that he’s talking about the afterlife, then it wouldn’t really make much sense for those heavens to “pass away”, would it?  So, this isn’t talking about that.

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

How do you explain that the Mormon scripture, the Pearl of Great Price, agrees with the Old Testament that the earth is only a 6,000 years old, when science has clearly established that the age of the earth is really billions of years old and life on it is millions of years old and mankind is hundreds of thousands or even a million years old?

Stan

Answer

Dear Stan,

It’s amazing how frequently people get it all backwards!! The Pearl of Great Price does NOT declare that the earth is 6,000 years old. The Bible does NOT declare that the earth is 6,000 years old. Science has NOT established that the earth is billions of years old or that life on the earth is millions of years old, or that mankind is hundreds of thousands or even a million years old.

Your first error in considering your questions is that you choose to judge the prophets by the professors, rather than the other way around. One could write a book in an attempt to straighten this screwed up line of thinking! And I have the daunting task of setting the record straight in a few paragraphs.

Let’s start with the Bible, which gives in chapters 1 and 2 an account of the creation and of the advent of Adam and Eve, but no time reference is made at all. The Bible does, however, give relative dates for many events, particularly the ages of the fathers when their sons were born. By correlating the birth of biblical characters with known historical figures, the time line for the births of earlier biblical characters can be traced back to the birth of Seth in 3874 BC.

In Genesis 5:3-5 we read—

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

 

And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:

 

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

So that establishes the date when Adam appeared. The sectarian world thinks that Adam was made by God at that time–in some manner similar to a brick building. But the sectarian world has no more of a handle on the truth than does the scientific world (and you would be very surprised to know how far off the track the scientific world has wandered in trying to establish time lines to pre-historic events).

In the words of Brigham Young,

“Adam was made from the dust of an earth, but not from the dust of this earth. He was made as you and I are made, and no person was ever made upon any other principle”

Adam was born on a terrestrial world, helped in the generation and development of this earth, came here with his wife, Eve, and stayed here. Time, as measured by the earth’s rotation around the sun, had not been established when Adam and Eve were given the command to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord’s time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning. (Abraham 5:13)

Note: The biblical version of this scripture, (Genesis 2:17) uses the word day, where the Pearl of Great Price uses the word time. However, the Hebrew word yowm, from which the word day was translated may also be rendered as time.

So all that is known about the age of Adam, or of the time of his advent on the earth, or of the time that earth was changed from a terrestrial to telestial world is that which is revealed in the scriptures. And nothing in the scriptures suggests that it was 6000 years ago–either in the Bible or in the Pearl of Great Price.

Next you state that science has clearly established the earth is really billions of years old. Where did you ever get that idea??? There are various THEORIES about the age of the universe, the age of the earth and the advent of man. But they are only THEORIES. Not a one of them is a proven fact.

Because of the constraints of the Ask Gramps format, we must here be brief. I will cite only one fact that should put to rest all of this blind faith in the pronouncements of science with regard to any paleontological time line. There is one and only one method by which any paleontological date can be estimated, and that is the radioactive potassium/argon decay rate. Potassium is the most prevalent element in the earth’s crust, (2.4% by mass). One out of every 10,000 potassium atoms is the radioactive isotope potassium 40. When this radioactive isotope breaks down argon 40 is one of the byproducts. When rocks are heated to the melting point, any Argon 40 contained in them is released into the atmosphere. When the rock re-crystallizes it becomes impermeable to gasses again. As the potassium 40 in the solid rock decays into Argon 40, the gas is trapped in the rock. So the measurement of the ratio of potassium 40 to argon 40 can be used to calculate the time lapse since the rock was solidified from the molten state. Again, this is the ONLY established method for paleontological dating. A recent test of this method has established it as completely unreliable as a geological time clock. Two samples of volcanic rock taken from two lava flows in Hawaii were tested for their age by the potassium/argon method. One lava flow occurred in 1800 and the other 1801. One of the two samples measured the age of rock to be 160 million years old and the other 2.96 billion years old!!! Since the academicians believed so thoroughly in the efficacy of this method they concluded that the samples were taken from two intrusions into the lava flow, and disregarded the data!

Lest you think that Gramps is some old kook, spouting off about something he knows nothing about, let me quote you from the Research Communications Network Report on this subject—

“Dr. Robert V. Gentry is the world’s leading authority on radiohalo research. He has published a remarkable series of papers in such distinguished journals as Nature, Science, and Annual Review of Nuclear Science. His findings are of great significance to the question of radiometric dating. Among his carefully drawn conclusions are the following: Earth’s primordial crustal rocks, rather than cooling and solidifying over millions or billions of years, crystallized almost instantaneously. Some geological formations thought to be 100 million years old are in reality only several thousand years old.” ( Research Communications Network Report , 2/10/1977, p 3)

Since NO CHRONOLOGY can be traced back to any pre-historic time, all such time estimates can only be suppositions. However, since scientific theories are touted by the university academicians as established facts, they are generally accepted as such because of the great deference that is given to the scientific community. However, all truth comes from God. HE KNOWS! And if anything that God has revealed does not concur with any supposed scientific fact, who do you think needs to adjust his thinking?

Gramps

Gramps,

Did God really rest on the seventh day? I was reading the Pearl of Great Price and it clearly said that Heavenly Father used reckoning of Kolob (1000 earth years=1 Kolob day) to create earth–Abr 5:13. That means that it took 1,000 years to make earth fully, with man in it. But since Adam was created on the sixth “day” and he lived 930 years, then God didn’t really rest because he was in contact with Adam. I don’t know, could you help me figure this out?

Sphelele

Answer

Dear Sphelele,

What is not quite so apparent in reading the scriptures about the creation is that the word “day” may be equally interpreted as the word “time.” The Hebrew word from which the word “day” is translated in our English Bibles, is “Yowm,” which means either day or time or year. The context in which this word is used in the creation account is the word “time,” not the word, “day.” This is established by the wording of the creation account in the Pearl of Great Price, Chapter 4, where the word “time” is used in place of the word “day” in Genesis—

8 And the Gods called the expanse, Heaven. And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning that they called night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that they called day; and this was the second time that they called night and day.

13 And it came to pass that they numbered the days; from the evening until the morning they called night; and it came to pass, from the morning until the evening they called day; and it was the third time.

19 And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning that it was night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that it was day; and it was the fourth time.

23 And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning that they called night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that they called day; and it was the fifth time.

31 And the Gods said: We will do everything that we have said, and organize them; and behold, they shall be very obedient. And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning they called night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that they called day; and they numbered the sixth time.

32 And the Gods said among themselves: On the seventh time we will end our work, which we have counseled; and we will rest on the seventh time from all our work which we have counseled.

So the word, “day”, even with the reckoning of Kolob, may not mean 1000 years, but just a period of time, as for instance in Job 29:2—

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me.

Concerning the age of Adam, he lived for 930 years from the time the biblical record began. But Adam was born on a terrestrial world. He helped in the organization of this earth, and according to Brigham Young, he brought the plants and animals to this earth from other worlds, “and brought a wife with him and stayed here.” After they partook of the forbidden fruit the earth was transformed from a terrestrial to a telestial world, and they were changed to a state of mortality. When the Lord said, In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die, Gen. 2:17, we may again use the term in the time that thou eatest thereof. So we have no specific recorded information at all of the true age of Adam.

Gramps