Gospel Themes: A Treatise on Salient Features of "Mormonism"Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Religion
Gospel Themes: A Treatise on Salient Features of "Mormonism"
Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
"And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every
herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all
things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally
upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it
to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created
all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in
heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth,
neither in the water, neither in the air;
"But I, the Lord God, spake, and there went up a mist from the earth,
and watered the whole face of the ground.
"And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living
soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless,
all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and
made according to my word." (Moses 3:4-7.)
Adam's Incarnation.--In the Book of Abraham the incarnation of Adam is
thus described:
"And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his
spirit (that is, the man's spirit) and put it into him; and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul"
(Abr. 5:7).
Plurality of Worlds.--Regarding this earth and other creations, the
Lord said to Moses:
"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.
"And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.
"But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof,
give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed
away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and
innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for
they are mine and I know them."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens they are many,
and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me,
for they are mine.
"And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so
shall another come; and there is no end to my works; neither to my
words.
"For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man."--Moses 1:33-39.
Purposes of Earth Life.--God's purpose, primarily, in placing man
upon the earth, is to give him a body, a mortal tabernacle, which is
rendered immortal through death and the resurrection. The spirit and
the body constitute the soul. It is the soul that is redeemed from the
grave (D&C 88:15,16). It is the soul that goes on to perfection. Man is
here also for experience, that he may advance from stage to stage of
growth and development, approximating nearer and nearer to the divine
ideal voiced by the Savior: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect."--Matthew 5:48.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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