The Creation

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.(Genesis 1:1)

A discussion about the creation of the universe, this world, and man inevitably will raise the issue of science versus religion in attempting to explain this remarkable set of events. Using the temporal tools of this planet, men have attempted to explain the creation through science. Some have concluded that a random sequence of events occurred which eventually lead to the creation of this world and the evolution of man. Other scientists have observed the complexity of the universe and life and have concluded that there was some sort of omnipotent power involved in its creation. The search for knowledge through the scientific process is tedious and slow. Sometimes knowledge is gained in a random, even accidental fashion. After 6,000 years of human existence, man has yet to perfect the scientific tools that might provide a full knowledge of the creation.

True wisdom and knowledge can only be gained through the Spirit of God. As Moses was blessed with this discerning spirit, he was able to behold the earth in its most minute fashion and thus begin to comprehend the greatness of the Lord’s creation. Even with the world’s most powerful microscopes, men have only had a glimpse at what Moses beheld while in the Spirit. In speaking about gaining spiritual knowledge, Joseph Smith said, “Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.”(1) Thus, if we wish to fully understand the creation, we must prepare ourselves, as did Moses. All the scientific study, though worthwhile, can only provide a drop in the bucket of the information that is available through the source of all truth.

Kent P. Jackson wrote, “The detailed process by which the Lord brought the universe and planet Earth into existence is not known by man. It is not unlikely that the principles of science as understood today will never be able to explain the divine powers and the divine actions that created these things.”(2)

Some years ago I attended a father and son campout with our ward, near the foot of Mount Rainier. On Saturday morning there was an informal climb through one of the canyons up to the foot of one of the great glaciers stretching from the peak of the mountain. As one of my priesthood brothers and I sat and observed the greatness of the glacier and the magnificence of the mountain and its environment, this good brother commented on the creation. He said that he could not imagine that such magnificence and beauty happened by chance. Indeed, as we sat there with a cool breeze coming off the glacier and the wonderful fresh smell of the mountain, I was also impressed and moved by the scene. It stood as a quiet testimony that there is a God in heaven who has created this planet as a place where we can continue our eternal progress.
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[1] Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 156.
[2] Kent P. Jackson, “Genesis and the Early Experiences of Mankind,” in Studies In Scripture - Genesis to 2 Samuel, Vol. 3, eds. Robert L. Millet and Kent P. Jackson (Salt Lake City: Randall Book, 1985), pp. 26-27.