The first two chapters of Genesis, Abraham, and Moses contain different versions of the creation story. What can we learn from each and why would we need multiple perspectives? This week we are studying the weighty topic of the creation, a topic about which Russell M. Nelson once called members to “stretch our minds” to consider. And that’s exactly what we will do.
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Segment 1
Scriptures:
Abraham 3:25 (Prove them herewith)
Genesis 2:18 (It is not good to be alone)
Books:
Eve and Adam: Discovering the Beautiful Balance by Melinda Wheelwright Brown
An Endowment of Love by Melinda Wheelwright Brown
Teaching Easter by Maria Eckersley
Hebrew Delights by Tamara Uzelac Hall
Words of the General Authorities:
It is difficult for mortal minds to comprehend the majesty of the Creation. It is much easier for us to think about good things to eat or fun things to do. But I would like to stretch our minds to think of things beyond our easy grasp. The creation of man and woman was wondrous and great. So was the creation of the earth as their mortal dwelling place. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Creation”, April 2000 General Conference)
Translations:
Good - tov = complete, fit to the intention of (Hebrew)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
Genesis 1:5-10 (Calling and naming the heavens and earth)
Genesis 1:3 (Let there be light)
Abraham 4:1 (Let us go down)
Genesis 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31 (Creation was good)
Abraham 4:10,12,18,21,25,31 (Creation obeyed)
Words of the General Authorities:
I give you my testimony that the happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of the priesthood of God. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Ye Be Willing and Obedient”, October 1971 General Conference)
Translations:
To hear - shema = to listen to understand and to obey (Hebrew)
Torah = instruction (Hebrew)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
Abraham 4:1 (Organization of creation)
1 Nephi 3:7 (God prepares the way)
1 Nephi 17:10 (Expect from God)
2 Nephi 5:16 (Nephi obeyed with what he had)
Translations:
Peculiar - segula = treasured possession or peculiar as in the Jewish nation (Hebrew)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
Genesis 2:5 (Created before)
Moses 3:5,9 (Spiritually then physically)
D&C 138:50 (The dead mourn their lack of body)
Words of the General Authorities:
My dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to do a little introspection. What is the relationship between your physical and your spiritual natures? How do they influence each other? How can you build harmony between these two sides of yourselves? (Gérald Caussé, “Harmony of Body and Spirit: A Key to Happiness”, BYU Speeches delivered on October 13, 2020)
Translations:
Adam - adom = man or ground and earth (Hebrew)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
Genesis 2:7 (Breath of life)
Genesis 2:18 (Help meet)
Genesis 2:21-22 (Rib of man)
Genesis 2:24 (Cleave)
Exodus 26 (Description of the artistry in the tabernacle)
Translations:
Helpmeet - ezer kenegdo = God like salvivic help, power combined with (Hebrew)
Eve - chavah = life or to live, mother of living (Hebrew)
Rib - tesla = side like the side of a building (Hebrew)
Made - benah = to build as in sacred structures like temples and alters (Hebrew)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
Genesis 2:10 (A river went out of Eden)
Matthew 5:38-48 (Higher teachings of Christ)
View transcript here.