Genesis 1-3Genesis 1-3Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:1 When Was the When Was the BeginningBeginning??

First, beginning is a relative term and does not mean the First, beginning is a relative term and does not mean the starting point of all eternity, if indeed there can be such a starting point of all eternity, if indeed there can be such a thing.thing.

““When was there a beginning? There never was one; if there When was there a beginning? There never was one; if there was, there will be an end; but there never was a beginning, was, there will be an end; but there never was a beginning, and hence there will never be an end; that looks like eternity. and hence there will never be an end; that looks like eternity. When we talk about the beginning of eternity, it is rather When we talk about the beginning of eternity, it is rather simple conversation, and goes far beyond the capacity of simple conversation, and goes far beyond the capacity of man” (man” (Discourses of Brigham YoungDiscourses of Brigham Young, 47)., 47).

President Brigham Young pointed out that all men President Brigham Young pointed out that all men know there is a God even though some have know there is a God even though some have forgotten that they know. He said:forgotten that they know. He said:

““I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father, or the great Elohim. You are well Father, or the great Elohim. You are well acquainted with him, for there is not a soul of you acquainted with him, for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year; and yet you are seeking to become year after year; and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know.merely forgotten what you did know.

There is not a person here today but what is a son There is not a person here today but what is a son or daughter of that Being” (or daughter of that Being” (Discourses of Brigham Discourses of Brigham YoungYoung, 50)., 50).

How Old is the EarthHow Old is the Earth?? Three Three theoriestheories!!

1.1.The word day is understood as it is currently and The word day is understood as it is currently and therefore means a period of 24 hours. The earth was therefore means a period of 24 hours. The earth was then created in one week or 168 hours. Thus the earth then created in one week or 168 hours. Thus the earth would be approximately six thousand years old. Very few would be approximately six thousand years old. Very few members of the church or members of other religions members of the church or members of other religions hold to this theory.hold to this theory.

2.2.A second theory argues that Abraham was told through A second theory argues that Abraham was told through the Urim and Thummin that one-revolution of Kolob, the the Urim and Thummin that one-revolution of Kolob, the star nearest to the throne of God, took one thousand star nearest to the throne of God, took one thousand earth years (Abraham 3:2-4). One day of the Lord’s time earth years (Abraham 3:2-4). One day of the Lord’s time equals one thousand earth years. If the word day in equals one thousand earth years. If the word day in Genesis was used in this sense, then the earth would be Genesis was used in this sense, then the earth would be approximately thirteen thousand years old. approximately thirteen thousand years old.

3.3. A third theory says that the word day A third theory says that the word day refers to a period of an undetermined refers to a period of an undetermined length of time, thus suggesting an era. length of time, thus suggesting an era. Each era of or day of creation could have Each era of or day of creation could have lasted for millions or even hundreds of lasted for millions or even hundreds of millions of our years, and millions of our years, and uniformitarianism could be accepted uniformitarianism could be accepted without any problem.without any problem.

Officially the Church has not taken a stand Officially the Church has not taken a stand on the age of the earth. For reasons on the age of the earth. For reasons best known to himself, the Lord has not best known to himself, the Lord has not yet seen fit to formally reveal the details yet seen fit to formally reveal the details of the Creationof the Creation..

““Our great prince, Michael, known Our great prince, Michael, known in mortality was the most in mortality was the most intelligent, powerful, and mighty intelligent, powerful, and mighty spirit son of God, who was spirit son of God, who was destined to come to this earth, destined to come to this earth, excepting only the Firstborn, under excepting only the Firstborn, under whose direction and pursuant to whose direction and pursuant to whose counsel he worked. ‘He is whose counsel he worked. ‘He is the father of the human family, the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all and presides over the spirits of all men’” (men’” (TeachingsTeachings, 157)., 157).

Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25

““God has made certain decrees which are God has made certain decrees which are fixed and immovable: for instance, God fixed and immovable: for instance, God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens, and gave them their laws, the heavens, and gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, which they cannot conditions and bounds, which they cannot pass, except by His commandments; they pass, except by His commandments; they all move in perfect harmony in their all move in perfect harmony in their sphere and order, and are as lights, sphere and order, and are as lights, wonders and signs unto us. The sea also wonders and signs unto us. The sea also has its bounds which it cannot pass” has its bounds which it cannot pass” ((TeachingsTeachings, 197-98)., 197-98).

Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:1

What does the word create What does the word create meanmean??

The Hebrew word translated as The Hebrew word translated as “created” means “shaped, “created” means “shaped, fashioned, created; always fashioned, created; always divine activity.”divine activity.”

““It is true that Adam helped to It is true that Adam helped to form this earth. He labored with form this earth. He labored with our Savior Jesus Christ. I have a our Savior Jesus Christ. I have a strong view or conviction that strong view or conviction that there were others also who there were others also who assisted them. Perhaps Noah and assisted them. Perhaps Noah and Enoch; and why not Joseph Smith, Enoch; and why not Joseph Smith, and those who were appointed to and those who were appointed to be rulers before the earth was be rulers before the earth was formed? (formed? (Doctrines of SalvationDoctrines of Salvation, 1 , 1 &4-75).&4-75).

Genesis 1:26-27Genesis 1:26-27

““If we pursue the Hebrew text further, it If we pursue the Hebrew text further, it reads,…The head one of the Gods said, reads,…The head one of the Gods said, Let us make a man in our own image.’ I Let us make a man in our own image.’ I once asked a learned Jew, ‘If the Hebrew once asked a learned Jew, ‘If the Hebrew language compels us to render all words language compels us to render all words ending in heim in the plural, why not ending in heim in the plural, why not render the first Eloheim plural?’ render the first Eloheim plural?’

He replied, ‘That is the rule with few He replied, ‘That is the rule with few exceptions; but in this case it would ruin exceptions; but in this case it would ruin the Bible.’ He acknowledged I was right.the Bible.’ He acknowledged I was right.

““In the very beginning the Bible shows In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the there is a plurality of Gods beyond the powers of refutation. It is a great subject powers of refutation. It is a great subject I am dwelling on. I am dwelling on.

The word Eloheim ought to be in the The word Eloheim ought to be in the plural all the way through --- Gods. The plural all the way through --- Gods. The heads of the Gods appointed one God for heads of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take (that) view of the us; and when you take (that) view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfection of the beauty, holiness and perfection of the Gods” (Gods” (TeachingsTeachings, 372)., 372).

““All men and women are in the All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity” (As cited in Clark, daughters of Deity” (As cited in Clark, Messages of the First PresidencyMessages of the First Presidency, , 4:203).4:203).

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, after Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, after quoting Genesis 1:26-27, also said, “quoting Genesis 1:26-27, also said, “Is it Is it not feasible to believe that female not feasible to believe that female spirits were created in the image of a spirits were created in the image of a ‘Mother in Heaven‘Mother in Heaven’” (’” (Answers to Gospel Answers to Gospel QuestionsQuestions, 3:144)., 3:144).

Genesis 1:28Genesis 1:28

““Be Fruitful and MultiplyBe Fruitful and Multiply””

President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of the importance of having children:the importance of having children:

““The first commandment recorded seems The first commandment recorded seems to have been ‘Multiply and replenish the to have been ‘Multiply and replenish the earth.’ Let no one ever think that the earth.’ Let no one ever think that the command came to have children without command came to have children without marriage. No such suggestion could ever marriage. No such suggestion could ever have foundation.have foundation.

““I have told many groups of young people I have told many groups of young people that they should not postpone their that they should not postpone their marriage until they have acquired all of marriage until they have acquired all of their education ambitions. I have told their education ambitions. I have told tens of thousands of young folks that tens of thousands of young folks that when they marry they should not wait for when they marry they should not wait for children until they have finished their children until they have finished their schooling and financial desires. Marriage schooling and financial desires. Marriage is basically for the family, and when is basically for the family, and when people have found their proper people have found their proper companions there should be no long companions there should be no long delay.. delay.. They should live together normally They should live together normally and let the children comeand let the children come..

““There seems to be a growing feeling that There seems to be a growing feeling that marriage is for legal sex, for sex’s sake. marriage is for legal sex, for sex’s sake. Marriage is basically for the family; that is why Marriage is basically for the family; that is why we marry --- not for the satisfaction of the sexwe marry --- not for the satisfaction of the sex, , as the world around us would have us believe. as the world around us would have us believe. When people have found their companions, When people have found their companions, there should be no long delay. Young wives there should be no long delay. Young wives should be occupied in bearing and rearing their should be occupied in bearing and rearing their children. I know of no scriptures where an children. I know of no scriptures where an authorization to give to young wives to withhold authorization to give to young wives to withhold their families and to go to work to put their their families and to go to work to put their husbands through school. husbands through school. There are thousands There are thousands who have worked their own way through school who have worked their own way through school and have reared families at the same timeand have reared families at the same time. . Though it is more difficult, young people can Though it is more difficult, young people can make their way through their educational make their way through their educational programs” (“Marriage Is Honorable,” in programs” (“Marriage Is Honorable,” in Speeches of the YearSpeeches of the Year, 1973, 262-63)., 1973, 262-63).

The Eternal Father a Resurrected, The Eternal Father a Resurrected, Exalted BeingExalted Being

““God himself was once as we are now, and is an God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil was rent today, and That is the great secret. If the veil was rent today, and the Great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who the Great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible, I say, if you were to see him make himself visible, I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form --- like today, you would see him like a man in form --- like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created I the very fashion, image, man; for Adam was created I the very fashion, image, and likeness of God, and received instructions from, and likeness of God, and received instructions from, and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another” (Joseph Smith; man talks and communes with another” (Joseph Smith; CompendiumCompendium, 190)., 190).

Moses 1:34Moses 1:34

And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.

There are ten different Hebrew meanings for AdamThere are ten different Hebrew meanings for Adam::

1. Many, without number1. Many, without number2. Man2. Man3. Mankind3. Mankind4. Adam4. Adam5. Eve and Adam5. Eve and Adam6. Red6. Red7. Blood7. Blood8. Ground/ dust8. Ground/ dust9. I Corinthians 15:459. I Corinthians 15:4510.110.1stst Adam = 1 Adam = 1stst Adam Adam last Adam = Christlast Adam = Christ

Isaiah 63:1Isaiah 63:1 Edom in Hebrew Edom in Hebrew = Adam= Adam

Genesis 2:8-10Genesis 2:8-10 Where was the Garden Where was the Garden of of EdenEden??

““In accord with the revelations given to the Prophet In accord with the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we teach that the Garden of Eden was on Joseph Smith, we teach that the Garden of Eden was on the American continent located where the City Zion, or the American continent located where the City Zion, or the New Jerusalem, will be built (D&C 116, the New Jerusalem, will be built (D&C 116, HCHC, 3:35-36)., 3:35-36).

The Flood and subsequent cataclysms drastically The Flood and subsequent cataclysms drastically changed the topography and geography of the earth. changed the topography and geography of the earth. The descendants of Noah evidently named some rivers, The descendants of Noah evidently named some rivers, and perhaps other landmarks, after places they had and perhaps other landmarks, after places they had known before the Flood. known before the Flood. This theory would explain why rivers in Mesopotamia This theory would explain why rivers in Mesopotamia now bear the names of the rivers originally on the now bear the names of the rivers originally on the American continent. It is also possible that some American continent. It is also possible that some present river systems are remnants of the antediluvian present river systems are remnants of the antediluvian river systems on the one great continent that existed river systems on the one great continent that existed then.then.

Genesis 2:17Genesis 2:17Why this nameWhy this name? ?

““The tree of knowledge of The tree of knowledge of good and evil”good and evil”

One must know evil to One must know evil to understand good (understand good (JDJD, 1:285, , 1:285, Orson Pratt).Orson Pratt).

Genesis 3 “The FallGenesis 3 “The Fall””

President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “Let’s thank the President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “Let’s thank the Lord, when we pray, for Adam. If it hadn’t been for Lord, when we pray, for Adam. If it hadn’t been for Adam, I wouldn’t be here; you wouldn’t be here; we Adam, I wouldn’t be here; you wouldn’t be here; we would be waiting in the heavens as spirits…(C.R. Oct. would be waiting in the heavens as spirits…(C.R. Oct. 1967, 122)1967, 122)

Brigham Young said that “we should never blame Brigham Young said that “we should never blame Mother Eve,” because through her transgression, and Mother Eve,” because through her transgression, and Adam’s joining her in it, mankind was enabled to come Adam’s joining her in it, mankind was enabled to come to know good from evil (to know good from evil (Discourses of Brigham YoungDiscourses of Brigham Young, , 103).103).

Genesis 3:20Genesis 3:20 When were Adam and Eve When were Adam and Eve sealedsealed??

Before the fall, Adam and Eve were sealed (Before the fall, Adam and Eve were sealed (Mormon Mormon DoctrineDoctrine, 242)., 242).

Genesis 3:20Genesis 3:20::

Without question Eve was like unto her Without question Eve was like unto her mighty husband, Adam, in intelligence and mighty husband, Adam, in intelligence and in devotion to righteousness, during both in devotion to righteousness, during both her first and second estates of existence. her first and second estates of existence.

““Indeed, Eve is a joint-participant with Indeed, Eve is a joint-participant with Adam in all his ministry, and will inherit Adam in all his ministry, and will inherit jointly with him all the blessings jointly with him all the blessings appertaining to his high state of exaltation” appertaining to his high state of exaltation” (McConkie, (McConkie, Mormon DoctrineMormon Doctrine, 242)., 242).

““Our first parents were pure and noble, and when we Our first parents were pure and noble, and when we pass behind the veil we shall perhaps learn something of pass behind the veil we shall perhaps learn something of their high estate” (their high estate” (Jesus the ChristJesus the Christ, 30)., 30).

Without question she was like unto her mighty husband, Without question she was like unto her mighty husband, Adam, in intelligence and in devotion to righteousness, Adam, in intelligence and in devotion to righteousness, during both her first and second estates of existence. during both her first and second estates of existence.

Before the fall Eve was sealed to Adam in the new and Before the fall Eve was sealed to Adam in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, a ceremony performed everlasting covenant of marriage, a ceremony performed by the Lord before death entered the world and therefore by the Lord before death entered the world and therefore one destined to last forever (Moses 3:20-25).one destined to last forever (Moses 3:20-25).

Indeed, Eve is a joint-participant with Adam in all his Indeed, Eve is a joint-participant with Adam in all his ministry, and will inherit jointly with him all the blessings ministry, and will inherit jointly with him all the blessings appertaining to his high state of exaltation” (McConkie, appertaining to his high state of exaltation” (McConkie, Mormon DoctrineMormon Doctrine, 242)., 242).

Adam as a type or shadow of Jesus Adam as a type or shadow of Jesus ChristChrist::

1.1.The Firstborn (Moses 3:7)The Firstborn (Moses 3:7)

2.2.Created in the Father’s image (Genesis 1:27)Created in the Father’s image (Genesis 1:27)

3.3.Chose to leave the presence of God to fulfill the Chose to leave the presence of God to fulfill the plan of salvationplan of salvation

4.4.Chose to partake of bitterness in a gardenChose to partake of bitterness in a garden

5.5.Took upon himself death so that all might liveTook upon himself death so that all might live

6.6.The person through whom the gospel was The person through whom the gospel was delivered to all mankind (Moses 5:12)delivered to all mankind (Moses 5:12)

7.7.Set up to be at the head of mankind (D&C 107:55)Set up to be at the head of mankind (D&C 107:55)

8.8.Reigns as our father forever (Abr. 1:3; D&C Reigns as our father forever (Abr. 1:3; D&C 107:53-56)107:53-56)