Institute
Lesson 2: Genesis 1–2

“Lesson 2: Genesis 1–2,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 3–4

“Genesis 1–2,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 3–4

2

Genesis 1–2

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. Genesis 1:1–2:7. Heaven, Earth, and All Forms of Life Were Created by God

    1. There were six days of creation (see Genesis 1; Moses 2).

    2. The seventh day was made holy (see Genesis 2:1–3; Moses 3:1–3).

    3. The account of the spirit creation is an interpolation (see Genesis 2:4–5; Moses 3:5).

    4. Man was the crown and culmination of the Creation (see Genesis 1:26–27; 2:6–7; Moses 3:6–7).

Religion 301 student manual, 2-1 through 2-16; 2-18 through 2-19; A-1 through A-5.

John 1:1–3, 14. Who created the earth? (see also Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:4, 16–17; Hebrews 1:1–3).

D&C 88:18–20. What is the destiny of the earth?

D&C 101:32–33. When will details be given about the creation of the earth? (see also D&C 130:6–9).

Abraham 3:24. What was the nature of the materials used to organize this earth? (see also D&C 93:33).

DS, 1:62–63. How important is man among God’s creations?

DS, 1:75–76. Do we have an account of the spirit creation?

MF, pp. 1–3. Why is man upon the earth?

Joseph Fielding Smith, “The Most Important Knowledge,” Ensign, May 1971, p. 3. God is the literal father of the spirits of all men.

Bruce R. McConkie, “Christ and the Creation,” Ensign, June 1982, pp. 9–15. The inseparable connection, between the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement is discussed.

  1. Genesis 2:8–25. Adam and Eve Were Placed in the Garden of Eden

    1. The Lord prepared the Garden of Eden, placed Adam and Eve in it, and gave them commandments (see Genesis 2:8–17; Moses 3:8–17).

    2. Eve was given to Adam as an eternal companion (see Genesis 2:18–25; Moses 3:18–25).

Religion 301 student manual, 2-17.

Abraham 5:13. What time system was the earth on before the fall of Adam? (see also Abraham 3:3–4).

D&C 132:15–17, 19–21. How important is marriage?

2 Nephi 2:14–16, 26–27. Why is opposition important in God’s eternal plan?

DS, 1:26. Who taught Adam and Eve while they were in the Garden of Eden?

DBY, pp. 345–46. Is opposition necessary to learning true principles?

DS, 2:70–71. What is known about the marriage of Adam and Eve?

MF, p. 243. How important is eternal marriage?

GD, p. 272. There is no exaltation without marriage.

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

What Was the Pattern of Creation? (Sections A–B)

There are three scriptural accounts of the creation of the earth and its inhabitants. Discuss the Creation using these accounts. Carefully review Doctrines of Salvation, 1:74–77, by Joseph Fielding Smith, and select quotations from President Smith to assist you in your discussion. The following references and chalkboard illustration could be used:

  1. Genesis 1–3 gives an account of the physical creation.

  2. Moses 1–3 gives an account of the physical creation.

  3. Abraham 4–5 gives an account of the planning in heaven and the physical creation.

Spirit Creation

Physical/Spiritual Creation

Mortal Condition

Premortal State

Paradisiacal (Edenic) State

Fallen State

What Do We Know about the Creation of the Earth? (Section A)

Who created this earth? Jesus Christ created the earth under the direction of our Father in Heaven (see John 1–3, 14; Moses 1:33).

How was the earth created? The Lord has not yet revealed how the earth was created. All we know is that it was created by God. Doctrine and Covenants 101:32–34 tells us when we will receive a complete knowledge of the earth’s creation.

Why was the earth created? The Lord has revealed much about the reason for the creation of the earth (see Moses 1:39; Abraham 3:24–25; D&C 88:17–20, 25–26; Jacob 2:21).

A Review of the Physical Creation of the Earth (Section A)

Review the account of the physical creation as recorded in Moses 2. List the days and discuss the sequence of events as given by the Lord. The first three days are given here as an example.

Day one. Light and darkness are separated.

Day two. The waters were divided by a firmament.

Day three. Dry land appeared.

After discussing all the periods of creation outlined in Genesis, discuss the following points:

  1. The premortal Christ was intimately involved in the creation of the earth.

  2. The earth was not organized by chance but was created deliberately and for a purpose.

  3. The Lord was pleased with the Creation, especially after man was placed on the earth (see Moses 2:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).

  4. The Lord rested on the seventh day and sanctified it (see Moses 3:1–3).

Some have been confused by the account of the creation of man being in both Genesis 1:26–27 and Genesis 2:7. Both passages are accounts of the physical creation of Adam. Use the accompanying chalkboard illustration to help students understand why both accounts are given.

Overlapping Accounts of the Creation of Man

Account of the Creation (Genesis 1:1–31)

Man placed on earth

Account of Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 2:7–3:24)

Explain that an account of the creation of man was included as part of the account of the Creation (see Genesis 1:26–27). When the Lord began telling of the experience of Adam and Eve in the Garden, he started at their placement on the earth (see Genesis 2:7).

Man Is the Offspring of God (Section A)

Read and discuss the statement by the First Presidency (see transparency 2) to help students resist false concepts about man’s origin.