Dear Gramps,
Last night at a very spiritual stake fireside the speaker told us that there were many others who assisted in the creation of the earth besides the Savior and Michael. He said many of the prophets and their wives were there, and specifically mentioned Abraham & Sariah. He used many references, and it all sounded logical the way he presented it, but it still doesn’t sit well with me. Do you have any enlightenment?
Jerry, from Canada
Dear Jerry,
Perhaps the following quotions from Brigham Young, Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr. and Bruce R. McConkie will throw a little light on those who may have assisted in the creation of this earth.
“God created the world. 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. We need not refer to all of those who were with God, and who assisted him in this work” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.100).
“It is true that Adam helped to form this earth. He labored with our Savior Jesus Christ. I have a strong view or conviction that there were others also who assisted them. Perhaps Noah and Enoch; and why not Joseph Smith, and those who were appointed to be rulers before the earth was formed? We know that Jesus our Savior was a Spirit when this great work was done. He did all of these mighty works before he tabernacled in the flesh” (Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.1, p.74 – p.75).
“Both the Father and the Son bear the title, Creator. (Moses 1; 2; 3; Teachings, p. 190.) The creative work itself is actually done by the Son, as he is directed by and uses the power of the Father. Hence the scriptures speak of Christ as the Creator of this world and of worlds without number. (Moses 7:29; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-3; D. & C. 38:1-4; 76:22-24.) In his creation of this earth he was assisted by Michael and other noble and great spirits. (Abra. 3:22-24.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.170)
Let’s examine a scripture that speaks of the creation process, D&C 76:24, referring to Jesus Christ, That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created. The words used in the scriptures have particular meanings, and it is well to examine the phraseology of the scriptures word by word. We have here in essence three statements,
“Worlds were created by Jesus Christ.”
“Worlds were created through Jesus Christ.”
“Worlds were created of Jesus Christ.”
The dictionary definition of the function words above are-
by: through or through the medium of
through: by the means of, by the agency of
of: used as a function word to indicate the cause, motivation or reason
We understand by the first statement, “Worlds were created by Jesus Christ,” that the Savior actually performed the creation process. We understand by the second statement, “Worlds were created through Jesus Christ,” that the creation process was facilitated or authorized by him, and we understand by the third statement, “Worlds were created of Jesus Christ,” that it was because of him and through his motivation that the worlds were created. So in addition to actually fabricating worlds, the Savior authorized others to assist in the process, and instructed and motivated them in their assigned tasks.
Gramps
