Today I read Abraham 4, which is another version of the creation story, and actually my favorite version. The reason it is my favorite is because it contains a few things that are not found in any of the other versions. For example, in this version, it always says the Gods instead of just God. This is highly significant for obvious reasons. Most other religions don't like Latter-day Saint theology because it promises each of us the potential to become as God is. They feel that God is all there is, but in Abraham's version of the creation, we learn that there are multiple Gods, in this case though, we know from other versions, that Abraham is talking about God and Jesus Christ.
But I really like this version the best because it shows that the elements have the ability to disobey. In other versions of the creation it always seems so seamless. God spoke and it was so. But in this chapter it always says that God ordered it and it was so as they ordered. This implies that He was not stirring around a bunch of ingredients in a giant pot until it was the consistency that He liked. But rather He was speaking to the elements, the very building blocks of life, and telling them to do certain things. And what's more, according to the way this is written, it could have been that they could have chosen to disobey.
In fact verse 18 all but says this outright, "And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed." Why would they need to watch unless there was a chance it would not happen? We learned in yesterdays reading, Abraham 3, that all things have intelligence. Wouldn't it make sense then that elements too have intelligence? Of course they do, and that means that they have the ability to disobey or to obey as they see fit, just as we do. We have already explored the idea that animals can choose to obey God or not and that sometimes, some animals go against their very nature and do things that God would most definitely disapprove of, such as the Lions of Tsavo. So why can't other things disobey God and go against their nature? Let me ask you a question, why did Christ curse the fig tree? What was the point? It should have had figs on it based on the time of year, so why curse it if it was innocent? Do you really think the Savior would curse and innocent anything to prove a point? I don't. Could it be that that particular tree was meant to feed the Savior when he was hungry and it made a choice to not produce figs? I'll be honest and say I don't know for a fact, but it makes sense to me.
Some of you might find this a hard concept to bear and I understand that, it usually is at first. My wife took almost half a year to fully grasp this the first time I told her about it. I invite you all to pray and ponder on it though and if you have another interpretation of this scripture I would love to hear it. Here's one final thought on the matter. Have you ever noticed that the scripture in Luke 17:6 says if you had faith AS a grain of mustard seed? Not the size of a grain of mustard seed? We know the Savior taught in layers of meaning. When you first approach one of His teachings you are positive it is trying to teach you one thing. But as you grow in knowledge you realize there is a deeper meaning you had missed before? I'm sure that you have. Well I submit to you that both interpretations of this scripture are correct. If we had the faith the size of a mustard seed we could do what the Savior asks of us. However, if we had the faith that a grain of mustard seed has in God, well, there would be no limit to what we could accomplish because the grain of mustard seed has perfect faith in our Father in Heaven. Again, ponder and pray on it. You will discover amazing truths. Until tomorrow.
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