Come Follow Me LDS - Genesis 1-2, The Creation Story Part 2

Creation Story Part Two

Overview of Technical Difficulties

• The audio faced technical issues, leading to a cut in the recording for the second half of the episode.

Day Two: Firmament and Division

• Discussion on day two focuses on temple imagery, particularly viewing the firmament as a veil that separates waters above from those below.

Day Three: Gathering Waters and Life

• On day three, waters are gathered into one place, allowing land to emerge; this reflects order and division akin to Egyptian creation stories.

• The concept of "opposition in all things" is introduced, emphasizing nuance and organization within creation narratives.

• Life begins with grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees; this symbolizes biological order and family perpetuation through generations.

• The altar of incense is likened to day three's events, where prayers (incense) connect with divine communication (Gabriel's announcement).

Day Four: Celestial Bodies

• Day four introduces celestial bodies; light already exists but now includes specific heavenly entities like stars and planets. This expands upon earlier themes of light as love or priesthood.

• Verses from Moses 2 highlight the purpose of these lights for signs, seasons, days, and years—linking them to time reckoning similar to Abraham 3 concepts.

Symbolism of Light

• Light serves both scientific (life-sustaining) and spiritual roles (representing divine attributes such as mercy). Understanding this duality enriches comprehension of creation narratives.

• The hierarchical structure is emphasized; individuals participated in creation and can share received light with others—a call for communal sharing of divine insights.

Creation and Hierarchical Structures in Abraham's Teachings

The Greater and Lesser Lights

• Discusses the concept of the greater light (the sun) and lesser light (the moon) as seen in Abraham 3, suggesting a hierarchical structure within creation.

• Ponders whether this hierarchy relates to higher and lower laws, with the sun symbolizing Jesus Christ and the priesthood order.

• Considers if the lesser light represents a lower law or Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing a structured flow of divine authority.

Scientific vs. Spiritual Interpretations

• Highlights that scientifically, stars are not related to the moon; thus, interpretations should be spiritual rather than literal. This vision is meant for temple understanding.

• Explains how the moon sets light for stars, reinforcing ideas of hierarchical structures in celestial bodies as part of divine organization.

Symbolism in Temple Design

• Describes the menorah's design with one central branch representing a greater light (possibly Jehovah), indicating a structured hierarchy among lights in sacred spaces.

Creation of Life on Earth

• On Day Five, discusses God's command for creatures to multiply and fill their respective domains—reflecting an organized system for life perpetuation akin to family structures established with Adam and Eve.

Humanity's Divine Image

• In Day Six, emphasizes that humans are created in God's image, linking Moses' experience on Mount Sinai to humanity’s divine nature through shared characteristics beyond physical form.

• Notes that dominion over earth signifies responsibility within a hierarchical structure where humans have stewardship over creation but are not at its lowest level—implying spiritual significance behind physical roles.

Creation and Responsibility in the Image of God

Understanding Our Creation

• The speaker emphasizes that both men and women are created in the image of God, referencing Moses' teachings about creation.

• The narrative of Moses is presented as a drama, suggesting that individuals should see themselves as part of this story, embodying the roles of Adam and Eve.

• Adam and Eve symbolize all humanity; everyone can relate to their experiences regardless of gender, highlighting a universal connection to these figures.

• The creation story serves as temple liturgy, inviting individuals to identify with Adam or Eve and understand their divine responsibilities.

Spiritual Consumption

• Humanity is tasked with perpetuating life and returning to God, which involves understanding spiritual nourishment alongside physical sustenance.

• The speaker discusses how God provides herbs and fruits for sustenance, emphasizing both physical and spiritual consumption.

• There’s a distinction between beneficial spiritual consumption versus harmful choices; individuals must discern what they spiritually consume.

Hierarchy in Creation

• The discussion shifts to the concept of hierarchy within creation narratives, asserting that hierarchies are essential for order rather than chaos.

• Historical perspectives on ancient civilizations often overlook inherent hierarchies; leadership structures are necessary for societal function.

• A critique is made against modern movements that challenge hierarchical structures; without them, society risks descending into chaos.

Opposition to Hierarchical Structures

• The speaker notes a cultural push against hierarchy within religious contexts, particularly regarding interpretations of the Godhead.

• This opposition manifests in attempts to unify distinct divine beings into one essence, reflecting broader societal trends against established hierarchies.

Creation Stories: Dual Narratives

• The transition from Genesis 1 to Genesis 2 marks a shift in narrative style; biblical scholarship suggests these stories may have been combined over time.

• This blending raises questions about the purpose behind different creation accounts found in scripture.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

Creation and Spirituality in Genesis

The Nature of Creation

• The speaker references a passage from the Book of Moses, emphasizing that God created all things spiritually before they were physically manifested on Earth. This highlights a duality in understanding creation—spiritual versus physical.

• There is an exploration of how to interpret the creation story: whether through a spiritual lens, a physical lens, or both. The discussion suggests that this narrative is conveyed in spiritual language meant for prophets.

Adam and Eve's Formation

• The term "Adam" means man in Hebrew and has a linguistic connection to clay, indicating the material aspect of humanity's creation. God breathes life into Adam, linking breath, wind, and spirit as synonymous concepts.

• It is noted that while all things were created spiritually first, they were then made physically according to God's word. This underscores the importance of divine intention behind creation.

Symbolism in Eden

• The Garden of Eden is described as being eastward, symbolically representing distance from the Holy of Holies—a place where God resides. This positioning indicates that Adam and Eve are not yet fully within God's presence.

• Two significant trees are planted by God: the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The latter is not inherently evil; rather it serves as a test for agency and moral choice.

Agency and Commandments

• The Tree of Life symbolizes striving towards exaltation through Christ’s doctrine, while the Tree of Knowledge represents choices leading away from this path. Both trees are essential for exercising agency.

• Adam is placed in Eden with commandments regarding what he may eat. Despite restrictions on partaking from one tree, agency remains paramount—God emphasizes personal choice even within divine commandments.

Relationships and Naming

• A discussion arises about creating companionship (help meet), suggesting that this term implies unity rather than subservience—reflecting egalitarian ideals within relationships.

• As animals come forth for naming by Adam, it signifies hierarchy and purpose within creation—a theme prevalent throughout temple symbolism.

Understanding Creation Myths

• A deep sleep falls upon Adam during which woman is created from his rib (or side). This act raises questions about interpretation—whether literal or symbolic—and reflects broader themes found in covenant theology related to sacred spaces like temples.

Understanding the Creation Story and Covenant

The Concept of Separation and Unity

• The term "tzela," meaning rib or side in Hebrew, relates to the idea of companionship, emphasizing that man and woman are created to be at each other's sides.

• The act of creating woman from man symbolizes a covenant where they are initially separated, highlighting the importance of this separation before their eventual reunion.

• Genesis 2:22 describes God creating woman from man's rib, illustrating the intimate connection between them as Adam recognizes her as "bone of my bones."

• In traditional wedding ceremonies, the woman is brought to the man, symbolizing their union and reinforcing the theme of coming together after separation.

• Genesis 2:24 emphasizes that a man shall leave his parents and cleave unto his wife, indicating both separation from family and unity with one's spouse.

The Significance of Being One Flesh

• The phrase "one flesh" signifies not only physical unity but also spiritual oneness in marriage; it reflects God's design for relationships.

• This concept connects back to creation—man was separated from his rib (woman), recognizing their inherent bond as they become one again through marriage.

• The notion of atonement is introduced here; being united as one flesh represents a return to wholeness after initial separation due to sin.

Reflections on Creation

• A previous episode titled "Creation as Vision and Drama" is referenced for further exploration into these themes within creation narratives.

• Joseph Smith's insights emphasize understanding creation as foundational for grasping divine purposes; starting correctly leads to accurate interpretations throughout life.

• There’s a call to examine modern perspectives on creation stories critically, encouraging viewers to integrate ancient texts like Moses 1 and Abraham 3 for deeper truths.