I have said that so far as known to this writer there is no passage either in the Old or New Testament that explicitly teaches the free agency of intelligencies of men; but implicitly free agency is taught in many passages throughout the Jewish scriptures of which the above quoted passages are but examples. In lesson IX of Part II of the First Year Book (p. 53) attention is called to the fact that in the Book of Esther the name of Deity does not occur; and yet it may be said to be the general opinion of all Bible scholars that in no book in the sacred collection is the presence of God more felt than in that same Book of Esther! So it is in respect of this doctrine of free agency and the Jewish scriptures. Though this doctrine is nowhere explicitly designated in terms in the Old or New Testament, yet every where throughout the sacred book its presence is felt, and the fact of it is everywhere assumed. [Note: This is a brief treatise on the spiritual and natural creations, but is too long for insertion in the notes of this lesson. Where available I suggest it be read to the quorums.] LESSON V. (Scripture Reading Exercise.) PREPARATION OF THE EARTH FOR THE ABODE OF MAN. ANALYSIS. I. Matter--External Existence and Extension of. II. Creation--[A] 1. Spiritual. 2. Natural. III. The Revelations of Scripture Local. REFERENCES. Note 1, Definition; notes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. "Materiality"--See Mormon Doctrine of Deity, p. 254 et. seq. Note--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Genesis chs. i and ii. Key to Theology ch. vi, Ed. 1891. Book of Moses. (P. G. P.) ch. i:4, 5, 8, 28-42, also ch. ii and ch. iii:1-15; and note 7 and 8. Book of Abraham (P. G. P.) ch. iii:24-26. Also ch. iv and v. Doc. and Cov. Sec. xxix:30-35. "The Gospel" (3rd Edition), pp. 274-284. Book of Moses ch. i:27-40. Also ch. ii:1. Note-- [Footnote A: This is to be but a glimpse of a very great subject, which some day may be expanded by the author of this Year Book into a treatise on the "Mormon Doctrine of Creation."] NOTES. _1. Matter:_ That of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body, substance. Matter is usually divided by philosophical writers into three kinds or classes; solid, liquid, and aeriform. Solid substances are those whose parts firmly cohere and resist impression, as wood or stone. Liquids have free motion among their parts, and easily yield to impression, as water and wine. Aeriform substances are elastic fluids, called vapors and gases, as air and oxygen gas. (Webster's International Dictionary.)