Lessons on the Plan of Salvation
Lesson No. Ten

The "What" and "How" and "Why" of Creation

Science and the “what” and “why” and “how” of creation – The amazing orbiting Hubble Telescope looks deep into space to learn the “what” and “how” of creation. 

  • The “what” of creation – Science has essentially concluded that what Joseph Smith taught is true; “there is no end to matter; there is no end to space” (If You Could Hie to Kolob LDS Hymns, #284). 
  • The “how” of creation – Man's understanding of the “how” is well described in Paul’s letter to Timothy; “Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).      
  • The “why” of creation – Science has no answer because it is beyond the scope of scientific inquiry.
 

Deep Field - Hubble Telescope (Galaxies without number)

Pillars of Creation - Hubble Telescope (Man's understanding of the "how" of creation)

 

The gospel gives us the answer to the “what” and “how” and “why” of creation – Abraham and Moses were taught about the creation of the earth and of all life by revelation.  (See Moses 2-3 and Abraham 4-5)  Abraham also had an Urim and Thummim by which he received revelation about the stars and their order and reckoning. (See Abraham 3: 1-17) 

The “what” and “how” and “why” of creation was revealed to Moses in a remarkable vision:

“And it came to pass that Moses called upon God, saying: Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what [how] thou madest them? (Emphasis added)

“And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with him face to face.  And the Lord God said unto Moses:  For mine own purposes have I made these things.  Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me.

“And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth. 

“And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:30-33).   

The “what” and “how” of creation is that all things, worlds without number, were created by the Father through the power of the priesthood exercised by His Only Begotten Son.

The Gospel's understanding of the "what" and "how" of creation.

The “why” of creation is both simple and profound – The Lord God explained the “why” of creation to Moses: “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  

Abraham was also given the “why” of creation in vision: “And there stood one among that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell.

“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.

“And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon…and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (Abraham 3:24-26).

The “why” of creation was also revealed to Joseph Smith, and it is taught in a favorite hymn: “Improvement and progression have one eternal round” (If You Could Hie to Kolob LDS Hymns, #284). 

Testimony – The “what” and “how” of creation is that the great Jehovah, the Lord Jesus Christ, under the direction of his Father and through the power of the priesthood, is the Creator of worlds without number like this earth.  Furthermore, He is also the Creator of all things that in them are, save mankind only. 

The “why” of creation is that all mankind, male and female, were begotten in the image and likeness of God, and thereby inherit a divine potential.  Furthermore, it is that the Father Himself established the plan of salvation so that we could become like Him.  This is because it is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children.