Creator of Heaven and Earth

While a first year student in Australia, I often studied at the University library until it closed around 9.30pm and then walked home across a field. On clear nights I would stop to gaze at the myriads of stars in the sky. Today, astronomers are discovering some stars are so far away that, though still twinkling, actually no longer exist; the beginning of new stars; galaxies in various stages of development; and possibilities of more than one Universe. But they are unable to explain WHY these events happen or HOW they come about, though they can theorize on WHAT is happening.

These discoveries, new to modern man, were revealed by the Lord and recorded by prophets centuries ago. In 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith translated them as the Pearl of Great Price which reveals what man is only now discovering:

“…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 as one earth shall pass away and the heavens thereof even so shall another come …” (Moses 1: 35, 38)

The Lord explains HOW He created all this:

“By the power of my word 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 1:32-33).

He then explains WHY:

“The heavens they are many....And as one earth shall pass away and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my work, 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 1:37-39) (Emphasis added)

To appreciate the extent of the Savior’s work as Creator, consider this: Our Earth is the third planet from the sun. Our sun is one of millions of stars in our galaxy called the Milky Way galaxy (a ‘galaxy’ comprises of large numbers of stars—from a few million to 400 billion stars).

The entire Universe is made up of billions of galaxies and trillions of stars. A billion is a thousand million. A trillion is a million million. Our Universe is 80 to 90 billion light years across. A light year is the distance light travels in a year at the rate of 300,000 km per second or 671 million miles per hour. A light year is equivalent to 9,460,530,000,000 km or 5,880,000,000,000 miles.

To relate the immensity of the Universe to our finite minds, imagine traveling to Pluto, the planet furthest from the sun. Using a Space Shuttle traveling at 18,000 miles per hour, it would take 23.8 years to reach Pluto.

Thus the scale of the Savior’s work of Creation is astounding and amply justifies why “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess before him” (Mosiah 27:31) and ought to correct man’s perception of the Savior and see Him as “The Lord Omnipotent”. Sadly, man either ignores this or still lacks knowledge of His crucial roles in the destiny of the world’s inhabitants.

Savior and Redeemer

There burns in the heart of every true Latter-day Saint the testimony that Jesus “died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven.” (TPJS).

This testimony witnesses that “through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel” (3rd AOF); that He will return to “reign personally upon the earth (10th AOF); and that His Atonement and Resurrection is vital and key to the Plan of Salvation.

It is obtained through the Holy Ghost’s confirmation of teachings such as Abraham 3:24-27 which explains the purpose of the creation:

“And there stood one among them …like unto God, and he said unto those …with him: we will go down … and we will make an earth whereon they shall 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 forever and ever.

“And the Lord said: whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me…”

It is strengthened as we learn that He, ‘the Lord Omnipotent’, condescended to: “ come down from heaven among the children of men, and …dwell in a tabernacle of clay… suffer temptations, ..pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, …for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great …the anguish for the wickedness and .. abominations of his people

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning, and his mother shall be called Mary.

And …he cometh unto his own … and even after all this they shall …. scourge him, and … crucify him.

And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and …standeth to judge the world;

…for salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mosiah 3:5-10, 12)

To effect the blessing of the atonement in our lives, we need to:

1) Repent and have faith in Christ.
2) Offer up a broken heart and a contrite spirit:

“ …redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah ….full of grace and truth. ..he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto …those who have a broken heart …and a contrite spirit. (2 Ne 2:6-7).

3) Be baptized and endure to the end.

“ I came into the world to do the will of my Father … that I might be lifted up upon the cross; that I might draw all men unto me … that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.” (3 Ne 27: 13-14, 16)

4) Follow the Lord’s servants:

“ And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe …..the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy…” (Mosiah 3:13)

“ He lives, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind, whose Atonement came as an act of grace for the entire world….He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life…. God be thanked for the gift of His Son, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of Mankind…”. (Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley)

Therefore, let us seek this Jesus of Nazareth and believe in Him; love and serve Him; follow His prophets; follow the Holy Ghost’s promptings; learn to submit our will to the Father; and share the gospel for: