Question
Gramps,
I was reading your answer to this question: Does the Atonement of Jesus Christ apply to all people on all worlds or to just those on this earth?
And that got me to thinking, why did Christ come to THIS earth (emphasis on the ‘this’) to perform the atonement as opposed to another world? People in other worlds have to have faith that Christ came thousands of years ago, on a different planet, in a different galaxy, to atone for their sins. So why did he choose THIS world?
Thanks,
Brock
Answer
Brock,
I am certain that a great many people have wondered this, myself among them. Unfortunately for our curiosity, the Lord has not revealed the answer. On the contrary, we learn from Moses 1 that the Lord intends to reveal to his servants only the most basic information about other worlds, and details about this world only (emphasis mine):
31 And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me.
…
33 And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.
…
35 But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.
…
40 And now, Moses, my son, I will speak unto thee concerning this earth upon which thou standest; and thou shalt write the things which I shall speak.
From these verses, two things are quite apparent:
First, God’s creations are innumerable to man. From this we can conclude that if God attempted to reveal even a little about each of them to us, we’d need a larger planet to record all that knowledge and much longer lives to learn it all. And I think it’s safe to assume that we don’t actually need this knowledge in order to attain salvation – for God would not withhold from us anything necessary to our salvation.
Second, God’s intent is to reveal things about this earth on which we live. This knowledge is the most important knowledge for us, so that we can understand the Plan of Salvation and how to return to God. Knowledge of other things remains with God and is not for us, at least not at this time.
In the article you reference, I mentioned that the Savior descended below all things (D&C 88:6, D&C 122:8), and that in Moses 7:36, the Lord tells Enoch, “…and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.” This hints that it may have been necessary for Christ to come to this world in order to accomplish his mission, part of which was to descend below all things. That’s just speculation, and you shouldn’t treat it as revealed fact or even probable – it’s just as a possibility.
While it’s sometimes interesting to study and ponder these things, I recommend you not expend too much effort on things the Lord has chosen not to reveal. One day, if we are worthy, we will learn all. In the meantime, focus on what the Lord has revealed, and do your best to act on your faith in him, so that one day, you’ll be worthy of the exaltation he offers us.
Gramps
