C) Copyright by Massimo Franceschini all rights reserved
Science, religion or both?
Before of the advent of Darwin's theory, Christianity lived a period of peace. After the
winds of crusades and the wind of apostasy that many divisions had done, and especially
after the dark ages of the holy inquisition, the Christian had the surety that the
scriptures contained the undisputed story of the whole human history, regardless of his
faith or beleif.
Darwin came like lightining in a peaceful day, sudden and terribly disastrous. Even though
all, or almost all know the story, it is important to analyze the impact that his
theories, although totally unproven, had on Christianity of his time and on that future.
Truly Darwin was not the first scientist to have a problem with religion. Galileo had big
troubles in maintaining that the earth was going around the sun. He had to publicly change
his ideas even though they were correct. After Darwin's theory begun to came out the
fossils. The dinosaur fossils posed great problems, not only because they were a species
not contemporary, according to scientists, the mankind. But above all because the new
methods of dating, discovered few years later, gave their age in millions of years. The
whole Christianity should find an explanation for the famous six millenniums of the
creation, or the human history given by the Bible. This conflict would have created deep
divisions between science and religion. As it always happens in these cases there are the
radical defenders of faith and the others that are trying to find a arrangement. Even in
the different churches the conflict was evident. Science urged by proofs and religion
answered with faith. I was never interested personally in this topic, in my early years I
never thought about it. When I became a believer surely I pertained to the radical wake:
No fallen, no atonement! I never sincerily pondered the problem. I did read the writings
of Joseph Fielding Smith and I found them perfect, the problem arisen by the dating or by
the fossils was jumped by faith.
D&A 93:36 "The Glory of God is intelligence".
With this knowledge it is hard to avoid to acknowledge science as an important element
in our life. The scriptures, especially Doctrine and Covenants are full of encouragement
to study in every field. Let's analyze some verses related to it and we will see why the
church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints differs by far from any other churches.
D&A 88:40 "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence;"
D&A 130:18-19
Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in
the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his
diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to
come.
D&A 109:14
And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be
taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by
study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;
D&A 88:78-79
Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more
perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things
that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been,
things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things
which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which
are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms--
With this on mind it is impossible for a faithful saint to neglect science and its
discoveries or theories. The prophet Joseph Smith was the first and the only one leader of
a Christian church to explain that creation was not by nothing (Ex nihilo) but from an
organizing power to form an existent matter . He stated a principle that the same science
takes for true:"Nothing can be created, nothing can be destroyed." The fact that
mother earth could be millions of years old doesn't' bother the saints at all. Instead
this is a big smash for the other churches. They believe that the earth was created from
nothing just a few millenniums ago, and this put them in a battle with science.
Before going futher I'd like to explain how I made this page. A month ago a kind student
of Milan's university, Italy, took a look, by chance, to my Italian page "Evolution
or fallen?". He wrote me a nice letter in which he gave me his viewpoint on the
matter. With politeness he said that it was not possible to deny the evidence of
evolution. His letter made me think on this topic. Like I stated before, I never went
deeper on this because I have a testimony of Jesus and His atonement, therefore I didn't
accept the evolution. This letter gave me the opportunity to get closer to the topic and I
begun to explore the matter more deeply. I didn't have any prejudice while I was taking
care of the problem. I am grateful to the official declarations that the church made on
different occasions. They never fought against evolution. They maintained that the Fall
and Atonement are real ,but they didn't express any official declaration against
evolution. You can read the official declarations on this web.
"In these respects we differ from the Christian world, for our religion will not
clash with or contradict the facts of science in any particular."
- Brigham Young, JD, Vol.14, p.116
"Science and true religion never can possibly contradict each other. There never was
any truth in science that would contradict any principle of revelation that God ever
revealed to man."
- Orson Pratt, JD, Vol.20, p.73 - 75
Another interesting discovery was the great debate on this topic between Joseph Fielding
Smith, an Apostle, and B.H.Roberts. Also this one is on this web. This debate was brought
before the first presidency.
So for this I made my search. Probably my study is wrong. I am not an authority of the
church or a learned man, a scientist or whatever else. Anyway I love to study the
scriptures and try to find my answers. If the truth is the perfect knowledge of things as
they were, as they are,and as they will be, and if the scriptures are the word of God and
contain the whole truth, why shouldn't they have the answers to this intriguing topic?
The biggest problem of all this topic is the great amount of fossils and their dating.
Scientists maintain that it is not possible to affirm that the earth was created from
nothing about 6.000 years ago. Therefore those fossils are proof that living beings were
on the earth before the creation stated in the Bible. We can't discuss the dating system,
because the difference is not just a millennium, but millions of years. To say that the
scientists are wrong would be like saying that they (scientists) are imbecile.
One of the first keys of helping in this context are the explanations that Joseph Smith
gave just before he died. He never supported the idea that earth was created from nothing,
as he explained this during the King Follet's talk.
When we begin to understand to come to him he begins to come to us. When we are ready to
come to him he is ready to receive us. Learned Doctors tell us God created the heavens and
earth out of nothing. They account it blasphemy to contradict this idea and will call you
a fool. The Bible says He created the world. They infer that it must be out of nothing.
The word "create "came from the word "Barau ".It means to organize,
same as man would use to build a ship—hence we infer that God had materials to
organize from—chaos—chaotic matter.—elements had an existence at the time
of the creation.. The pure pure principles of elements are principles that never can be
destroyed. They may be organized and re organized,but not destroyed.
The view of the Prophet on this subject of creation is abundantly sustained by men of
learning subsequent to his time. The Rev. Baden Powell, of Oxford University, for
instance, writing for Kitto's Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature, says: "The meaning
of this word (create) has been commonly associated with the idea of 'making out of
nothing.' But when we come to inquire more precisely into the subject, we can of course
satisfy ourselves as to the meaning only from an examination of the original phrase."
The learned professor then proceeds to say that three distinct Hebrew verbs are in
different places employed with reference to the same divine act, and may be translated,
respectively, "create," "make," "form or fashion."
"Now," continues the Professor, "though each of these has its shade of
distinction, yet the best critics understand them as so nearly synonymous that, at least
in regard to the idea of making out of nothing, little or no foundation for that doctrine
can be obtained from the first of these words." And, of course, if no foundation for
the doctrine can be obtained from the first of these words—viz., the verb translated
"create," then the chances are still less for there being any foundation for the
doctrine of creation from nothing in the verb translated, "made,"
"formed," or "fashioned."
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section 6, Footnote #5, p.350
Professor Powell further says: "The idea of 'creation,' as meaning absolutely 'making
out of nothing,' or calling into existence that which did not exist before, in the
strictest sense of the term, is not a doctrine of scripture; but it has been held by many
on the grounds of natural theology, as enhancing the ideas we form of the divine power,
and more especially since the contrary must imply the belief in the eternity and
self-existence of matter."
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section 6, Footnote #5, p.351
Dr. William Smith's great dictionary of the Bible (Hackett edition, 1894) has no article
on the term "create" or "creation," but in the article
"earth" we have reference to the subject, and really an implied explanation as
to why this work contains no treatise on "create" or "creation."
"The act of creation itself, as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, is a
subject beyond and above the experience of man; human language, derived, as it originally
was, from the sensible and material world, fails to find an adequate term to describe the
act; for our word 'create' and the Hebrew bara, though most appropriate to express the
idea of an original creation, are yet applicable and must necessarily be applicable to
other modes of creation; nor does the addition of such expressions as 'out of things that
were not,' or 'not from things which appear,' contribute much to the force of the
declaration. The absence of a term which shall describe exclusively an original creation
is a necessary infirmity of language; as the events occurred but once, the corresponding
term must, in order to be adequate, have been coined for the occasion and reserved for it
alone, which would have been impossible."
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section 6, Footnote #5, p.351
The philosophers with equal emphasis sustain the contention of the Prophet. Herbert
Spencer, in his First Principles, (1860), said:
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section 6, Footnote #5, p.351
"There was once universally current, a notion that things could vanish into absolute
nothing, or arise out of absolute nothing. * * * The current theology, in its teachings
respecting the beginning and end of the world, is clearly pervaded by it. * * * The
gradual accumulation of experiences, has tended slowly to reverse this conviction; until
now, the doctrine that matter is indestructible has become a commonplace. All the apparent
proofs that something can come of nothing, a wider knowledge has one by one cancelled. The
comet that is suddenly discovered in the heavens and nightly waxes larger, is proved not
to be a newly-created body, but a body that was until lately beyond the range of vision.
The cloud which in the course of a few minutes forms in the sky, consists not of substance
that has begun to be, but of substance that previously existed in a more diffused and
transparent form. And similarly with a crystal or precipitate in relation to the fluid
depositing it. Conversely, the seeming annihilation of matter turn out, on closer
observation, to be only changes of state. It is found that the evaporated water, though it
has become invisible, may be brought by condensation to its original shape. The discharged
fowling-piece gives evidence that though the gunpowder has disappeared, there have
appeared in place of it certain gases which, in assuming a larger volume, have caused the
explosion."
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section 6, Footnote #5, p.351
Fiske follows Spencer, of course, and in his Cosmic Philosophy sums up the matter in these
words. "It is now unconceivable that a particle of matter should either come into
existence, or lapse into non-existence
Robert Kennedy Duncan (1905), in his New Knowledge says: "Governing matter in all its
varied forms, there is one great fundamental law which up to this time has been ironclad
in its character. This law, known as the law of the conservation of mass, states that no
particle of matter, however small, may be created or destroyed. All the king's horses and
all the king's men cannot destroy a pin's head. We may smash that pin's head, dissolve it
in acid, burn it in the electric furnace, employ, in a word, every annihilating agency,
and yet that pin's head persists in being. Again, it is as uncreatable as it is
indestructible. In other words, we cannot create something out of nothing. The material
must be furnished for every existent article. The sum of matter in the universe is x
pounds,—and, while it may be carried through a myriad of forms, when all is said and
done, it is just—x pounds.—Note by Elder B. H. Roberts.
In D&A 93:33-35
"The elements are eternal, and spirit and element inseparably connected receive a
fullness of joy. * * * The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle
of God, even temples."
Another interesting key is found in an epistle written by W.W. Phelps to William Smith.
W. W. Phelps, in a letter to William Smith, refers to the age of the earth. He, from the
context of the quote, apparently received his information from the papyri from which the
Book of Abraham is also taken. So you can compare, most scientists teach that the earth is
about 4.5 - 5 billion years old, with life being about 2.5 billion years old..
Christ . . . was anointed [in the pre-mortal world] with holy oil in heaven, and crowned
in the midst of brothers and sisters, while his mother stood with approving virtue, and
smiled upon a Son that kept the faith as the heir of all things! . . . Well, now, Brother
William [Smith], when the house of Israel begin to come into the glorious mysteries of the
kingdom, and find that Jesus Christ, whose goings forth, as the prophets said, have been
of old, from eternity [Micah 5:2]; and that eternity, agreeably to the records found in
the catacombs of Egypt, has been going on in this system, (not this world) almost two
thousand five hundred and fifty five millions of years: and to know at the same time, that
deists, geologists and others are trying to prove that matter must have existed hundreds
of thousands of years;--it almost tempts the flesh to fly to God, or muster faith like
Enoch to be translated and see and know as we are seen and known!
--Times and Seasons 5: 758, 1 January 1845
At this point is interesting to note that even though there is a discrepancy of time
between the 4.5 million and the 2.5 million, here declared from W.W. Phelps, that our
church had from the very beginning the knowledge, by revelation, that the earth was
millions of years old. For the discrepancy I'd say it is irrelevant for a simple reason:
we have just this letter, just a quick note on the topic. Unfortunately the prophet
couldn't explain anything more on the subject before he died. At this point we believe we
have 3 important points to focus on.
1) The word "create" for the latter day saints means "Organize" not to
create from nothing" This is in harmony with science.
2) The Church of Jesus Christ LDS is the only church to believe and support the idea that
the earth is much older than 6000 years. Even this is in harmony with science.
3) The 3rd official declaration of the church, even though maintaining the idea of the
fallen and the atonement, leaves a door open to evolution. Let's see how it is possible to
reconcile those ideas.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the earth and the heaven."
No time was indicated. In the next verse we are told that the earth was "without form
and void". It doesn't make any sense because it should have had a form , but if we
use the words that Joseph Smith gave us, "barren and uninhabited" -we will have
a better comprehension of the meaning of the verse. In fact at that time the earth was
barren, there were no seeds in it, there was no vital form. We know that in the beginning
God organized the matter and after that the first thing that He did was to CALL the Light.
In fact it doesn't say that He created it, but simply "Be the Light" and the
Light was. D&A is clear on this.
D&A 88:7,12,13,40
Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light
of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space--
The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by
which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is
in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth
truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and
claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth
before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.
D&A 88:44,67
And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes,
in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years--all these
are one year with God, but not with man.
And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and
there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth
all things.
D&A 93:2,9,29,36
And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world,
because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not
created or made, neither indeed can be.
The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
Since the Light is the means to organize the universe, is it strange to understand why
Jesus made the worlds? He is truly the light of the world. It is no wonder that God called
the Light to start the work. After this the Lord began to organize in a true sense, like
an architect designing the area. To better focus His plan He divided the waters from the
Heavens and the earth.
At this point is interesting to note that just after the advent of the Light there began
to be written day and night and for the first time.Also there is mentioned a "period
of time" like "first day", but we have no idea if this day was 24 hours,
one thousand years, or just a certain amount of time. This raises more interesting
questions. What kind of light was this if the stars and the planets were only added on the
fourth day? How could they have days and nights without stars, planets and so on?
Like we have seen before this creative power probably was Jesus Christ.
On the thirdth day the waters were gathered in just "one place". so we have just
one continent. On the fourth day the "waters" created the birds and God the
great animals of the waters. To all of those was given the commandment "to be
fruitful and replenish the earth". On the fifth day the earth created the animals.
All those things were created just for "mankind", that is, they were not the
main reason of the work, but just something to be part of the stage to beatify the
creation and to be useful to "man", or Son of God. Man presides on the whole
creation. To be nurtured man has green grass and fruits. Animals just the green grass. We
believe that all the animals and vegetables have a spiritual component like man. It is
clear for me at this point that we have the proof that vegetables,like grass, are eaten
and die to accomplish their functions.
In Genesis 1:30
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that
creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for
meat: and it was so.
It is interesting at this point to note that Genesis 2:4 refers to the six periods
regarding the creation mentioned in Genesis 1 declares.
These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the
day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
"IN THE DAY" is the proof that the six days are just an amount of time,with
nothing classified. Anyway in the next verse there is a very interesting thing to note.
"And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field
before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was]
not a man to till the ground."
At this point a question arises. If there was nothing on Earth, what is mentioned in the
first chapter ,where did this happen and what is mentioned there?
Fortunately we have Moses 3:5
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;
I know that some people will be upset with me because I am quoting scriptures not found in
the Bible, but don't worry. The Bible supports this idea not just by clues but with proof.
(Revelation 12)
Anyway let me go ahead. This explanation is important, not only because it will clarify
the reason why we have two different creations in Genesis but because this explanation
comes by a new revelation in the last days. We learn from these 2 things, first that the
first creation (spiritual) was in heaven and God put man to minister the garden. This last
part is interesting because it is true that the vegetables were born spontaneously in the
garden but the phrase "not yet a man to till the ground" lets us understand that
if the garden was not cultivated it could decay, otherwise why should man "till the
ground"? A sense of decadence implys degenerate and death.
At this point the Lord explains regarding the tree of life, which is in the center of the
garden of Eden. This tree is in the middle because it is the main and central purpose of
whole creation, or:"This is my work and my glory........
So we see that God gave to Adam and Eve the possibility to be immortal from the very
beginning, but His goal was not accomplished.In fact in the same garden there was also the
tree of knowledge of good and evil. To have immortality without knowledge of Good and evil
would have been like to create immortal robots. Another question could be:"Why did
God put Adam in the garden of Eden instead of somewhere else?"
Eden means "pleasant" and we could say for sure that it was the first temple on
earth. The temple is the house of God, the place in which God manifest Himself. It is
interesting to note that the garden was not Eden but it was just eastward in Eden, so the
garden was a temple, where God was present and talking to Adam. Being the temple, the
house of God and being Adam ,His offspring was it fair to put Him in His Home or not? Adam
was surrounded from everything he needed. Animals could have access, in fact we see the
presence of the serpent, but why do we not think that anywhere else in the world animals
and plants could grow and die?
Genesis 2:19
And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the
air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam
called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.
"and brought [them] unto Adam ". We see they were not in the garden. It is easy
to think that when Adam gave them their names they went back were they pertained,
otherwise the house of God should have been a zoo
Animals had the commandment to be fruitful and replenish the earth not just the garden of
Eden. The position of Adam in the garden was because he was His offspring. It was not just
a privilege, but a fair right.
Another interesting point is found in Genesis 1:29-30
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face
of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to
you it shall be for meat.
Genesis 1:30
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that
creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for
meat: and it was so.
Many people think that death came into the world after the transgression. This is true for
mankind but not for animals and vegetables. We have seen before the case of grass. Now we
will take a look at the animals. Even though several people are thinking that eating the
forbidden fruit caused in the body of Adam and Eve a mutation that brought death. I have a
very different opinion. I believe that the tree of life contained antibodies for the
physical decadence, in fact when the Lord spoke to Adam regarding the forbidden fruit
says: Genesis 3:22-24
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and
now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for
ever:
Genesis 3:23
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from
whence he was taken.
Genesis 3:24
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and
a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
This was the only manner to make the man mortal. Animals had no access to this fruit and
consequently it seems perfectly logical that even they, like the vegetables were subject
to death. What about all the animals what were not living in the garden. Death was typical
for them, the only way to escape death was the tree of life, and only Adam and Eve could
partake of it. The transgression brought death on earth, but just for mankind
Paul gives us this wonderful explanation in Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed
upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Paul it is speaking about mankind ,not animals. Another interesting clue here is "and
death by sin". The animals could not and can not sin. The whole account in Genesis is
about mankind, not animals or plants. They are not protagonists, they are on the stage but
the plan of God is for mankind. Only man could partake of the tree of life. Like we have
seen before God gave the eternal life from the very beginning to Adam, without knowledge
this was useless. The ultimate goal was to have Adam and Eve back in his presence with the
knowledge of good and evil. A God without knowledge can't be a God because the glory of
God is intelligence. Man being offspring of God is like a child to his father in his
maturity will be like him. Animals were and are just optional in the great plan of God ,
surely necessary like everything else, but not protagonists. Even animals had the
commandment to be fruitful and replenish the earth, but they didn't need any knowledge to
perform that, they have instinct. Animals have seasons to pair off, man could do that in
any moment for any reason. God will not ask animals what they did by their power to
procreate but he will ask mankind what use they did of that. This is the great difference
between us and the other creations. Mankind is responsible because man knew from the very
beginning (I mean after the fallen) the difference between good and evil. The ultimate
goal in this life is to gain knowledge on the basis of the Gospel. We are supposed to win
passions, wishes and everything else that is connected to good and evil. Knowledge of good
and evil, connected to a celestial law is the instrument to develop the divinity of the
mankind. God created mankind in His own imagine and likeness. Animals were created by
waters. We know that God put the spirit in man but nothing is explained regarding animals.
It is true that they have a spirit like vegetables too, but their purpose on the stage is
very different. One is the hero the rest important but not essential.
They have different origins, purposes and goals . It is necessary to understand that the
path that they are walking is the same but the meaning is different. Animal are subdued to
mankind by God Himself.
Regarding this difference it is interesting to note that in the second creation
(physical), of which we don't have any time specified, Adam is the first creation. After
Adam came the animals, and then we have Eve. We don't know how much time pasted between
the creation of the animals and Eve, but it is clear that in the meantime the animals
could procreate, but could Adam have offspring without Eve? Surely not. In the meantime
animals could die. We don't know either how long it took to have the fall. It could have
been one day,it could have been millenniums, in the meantime animals continued to
procreate and die.
Isn't it weird that fossils had millions of years but the written history does not go back
further than 6000 years?
Genesis 3:21 gives us the proof of this reasoning.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Before casting out Adam and Eve God made coats of skins. This is unbelievable if you are
maintaining that there was no death in the garden. Adam is still there. God could have
made the coats of wool, plastic or whatever else. Here we see that God wanted us to know
that beside Adam and Eve there was death in the garden. I can't accept the idea that God
killed these animals just to make a coat for Adam the disobedient. No, he was using what
was already available there and also he gave them a great deal of knowledge about what
death is and what it meant for them from that point on.
Nobody knows how long Adam and Eve remained in the Garden while the whole creation was
alive around them.
Abraham 5:13
"But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the
time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was
after the Lord's time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not
appointed unto Adam his reckoning."
I beleivethis is a very important passage, and many people have misunderstood it.
"For in the time that thou eatest thereof" was according to the time of Kolob.
Adam wouldn't die the same day in which he ate the fruit, but in the time of Kolob. In
fact Adam didn't die until after 99 years later, but being the time of Kolob, 1000 years.
He died in the day promised from the Lord, in fact what is declared from the Lord in the
same verse is very significant:" For as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his
reckoning." So at that point the time reckoning intended for us was not in use, so
the time of this could be whatever you like, because nobody knows.
I mentioned before that spirits and plants were organized in the first creation spoken of
in Genesis and the Bible gives us proof of it. We know that between the spiritual
offspring of the Father there were a third who rebelled against Him during the
presentation of the plan, just before the physical creation. But the earth was yet to be
organized.
Revelation 12:7-9
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the
dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:8
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:9
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out
with him.
This is proof that the first creation was spiritual and Satan (at that time Lucifer) was
cast out before of the creation of Adam.
Satan didn't have access to the garden because he was cast out from the presence of God,
and for this particular reason he needed to be helped by the serpent.Does it make sense to
reason that Satan needed some time to organize his troops and to find allies like the
serpent? Sure it does.
Job 38:4-7,21
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast
understanding.
Job 38:5
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon
it?
Job 38:6
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Job 38:7
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then born or [because] the number of thy days [is]
great."
Even Alma explains this point in the same way of Paul. Alama 42:9
"Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a
spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the
Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death."
Unfortunately we know that the scriptures are not complete. We know that even the Book of
Mormon is just a third part of the original. We are aware that through the centuries many
plain and precious things were lost. We are aware that God gave to Moses just an
"account" or briefing of the creation , in fact God has promised in D&A that
in the future mankind will have the whole knowledge, but so far it is not necessary. It is
not necessary for mankind to know everything in one time. Mankind must know the truth by
studying, by faith and patience. If God had given the whole knowledge from the very
beginning he wouldn't have been wise. His principle is in the Bible "Line upon line,
principle above principle". Mankind is to obtain intelligence because intelligence is
the glory of God. Man has to develop this attribute and this is possible only exercising
his free will, his faith and his desire to develop what is his divine legacy, intelligence
or divine spark. If God had given everything from the very beginning He would have blasted
His Own plan. Keep in mind that from the very beginning man had no knowledge at all. He
should partake of the tree of knowledge to start to obtain it and from that point, the
principle line upon line started to be in effect. Neither Christ had the fullness from the
beginning
Luke 2:52
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
God has put the base and mankind is supposed to build up according the idea Line upon line
INTELLIGENCE = KNOWLEDGE = TRUTH = FREEDOM
KNOWLEDGE implies study and sacrifice.
Turning back to the spiritual creation we have seen that it was done in six periods of
time, not specified. While we have the physical creation that it is in Genesis 2 we don't
have any idea regarding the time and the whole creation is reversed. Adam is the first one
to appear on the stage, after him the animals but we don't have any clue regarding the
amount of time here.
Another thing to think about the concept of death is this:" This concept should have
been explained not only in words but even in a visible way to Adam and Eve, otherwise the
Phrase: " Genesis 2:17
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in
the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
The better explanation for this was to see the death of somebody else. I remember when I
was a boy and I was asking this question, my dad told me:" I will show you" and
when my great grandmother died he told me:"This is all about" I want to tell you
I was really impressed, before that it was like people trying to explain to me the sea. I
had a clue but when I was six and I went personally to the shore, I finally got the idea.
Concluding I'd say that, according to the scriptures it is not possible to say how long it
took any of the creations mentioned in the Bible. Thanks to Joseph Smith we know that the
earth was not created from nothing but was organized. The tree of life was just for Adam
and Eve.
I don't know if you like my viewpoint and I don't know if this will help in somehow on
this topic, but I really enjoyed studying this topic and I hope it will be the same for
you, whatever idea you have.
www.massimo.bigsmart.com
Prophesies in the Bible related to the Book of Mormon
Where in the Bible is prophesied the first vision
Who is the Author of the Book of
Mormon? Where in the Bible is
prophesied the martirydom of Joseph Smith
The purpose of the Book of Mormon
the real meaning of Galatians 1:8
What is the grace?
Revelation and 666 How to understand numbers in the Bible.
testimonies
