Unit 2: Day 2

Moses 2 (Genesis 1; Abraham 4)

Introduction

In Moses 2 we learn that Jesus Christ created the earth and all living things upon it. We also learn that God created Adam and Eve in His image, united them in marriage, and commanded them to multiply and replenish the earth. Moses 2 is the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 1. (Although not all of Genesis 1 is specifically covered in this lesson, you should read it as part of your daily scripture study. You should also read Abraham 4. As you compare Genesis 1; Moses 2; and Abraham 4 verse by verse, you will see a harmony in these scriptural accounts of the Creation through the sixth day.)

Moses 2:1–25

Jesus Christ creates the earth and all living things upon it

Think about the wondrous beauties of the earth.

As you study Moses 2, think about your feelings about the earth and its Creator.

Moses 2 is Joseph Smith’s translation of Genesis 1. Read Moses 2:1, and compare it to Genesis 1:1. As you read, look for what Moses 2:1 adds to the biblical account of the Creation.

What does Moses 2:1 add to the biblical account?

Underline the phrase “by mine Only Begotten I created these things” in Moses 2:1. Consider writing the following doctrine in the margin of your scriptures next to Moses 2:1: Jesus Christ created the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father.

Some people suggest the Creation of the earth and all life upon it occurred by chance. Ponder why it is important to know that Jesus Christ created the earth.

Read Moses 2:2–5, looking for answers to the following questions: What did Jesus Christ do at the beginning of the Creation? In verse 5, how did the Lord refer to this period of creation?

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the meaning of the term day as used in this chapter: “The physical Creation itself was staged through ordered periods of time. In Genesis and Moses, those periods are called days. But in the book of Abraham, each period is referred to as a time. Whether termed a day, a time, or an age, each phase was a period between two identifiable events—a division of eternity” (“The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 85).

The Lord has not revealed the length of each creative period.

1. Copy the chart on this page in your scripture study journal. For each of the creative periods from day 2 through day 6, read the references and identify what the Lord accomplished during that period. Summarize what you find, and write it below each day. (It might be helpful to know that the word firmament refers to the atmosphere around the earth.)

   Moses 2:2–5	Moses 2:6–8	Moses 2:9–13	Moses 2:14–19	Moses 2:20–23	Moses 2:24–31
   Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
   Divided the light from the darkness

The scriptures do not contain all the details of the process of the Creation; rather, they testify that the Lord purposefully carried out the Creation of the earth and all life upon it.

As you read the following statement by Elder Russell M. Nelson, look for what Elder Nelson testified concerning the Creation of the earth:

“The entire Creation was planned by God. …

“I testify that the earth and all life upon it are of divine origin. The Creation did not happen by chance. … The Creation itself testifies of a Creator” (“The Creation,” 84–85).

Ponder some examples that show how the Creation (the earth and all that is upon the earth) testifies of the Creator.

2. In your scripture study journal, write about your feelings for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you consider Their creations.

Moses 2:26–31

God creates both men and women in His own image

Think about the following three scenarios:

Scenario 1: A missionary is teaching a person who wants to know what God looks like.

Scenario 2: A young woman has been told that gender is a matter of chance. She has begun to question if gender matters and whether it should influence any of her choices in life.

Scenario 3: A young man does not like his body. He struggles with feelings of low self-worth because of his physical appearance.

Turn to Genesis 1:26–27. These verses, which teach what the Lord did on the sixth day after creating all forms of animal life, correspond to Moses 2:26–27. (Genesis 1:26–27 is a scripture mastery passage. You may want to mark it in a distinctive way so you can locate it in the future.)

Read Genesis 1:26–27, and consider how these verses may apply to the three scenarios.

What truths concerning our creation are taught in Genesis 1:26–27?

President Thomas S. Monson helped us better understand the doctrine that we are created in the image of God when he taught: “God our Father has ears with which to hear our prayers. He has eyes with which to see our actions. He has a mouth with which to speak to us. He has a heart with which to feel compassion and love. He is real. He is living. We are his children, made in his image. We look like him, and he looks like us” (“I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Ensign, Apr. 1990, 6).

3. Consider again the scenarios described previously. In your scripture study journal, write answers to the following questions:

   1. If you were the missionary in scenario 1, how might you use Genesis 1:26–27 and the statement from President Monson to teach someone about God?

   2. Read scenario 2 again and the following statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”: “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129).

      Consider why it is important to know that your gender is not a matter of chance or a temporary condition but is part of your eternal identity and purpose. How would you use Genesis 1:26–27 and the statement from the family proclamation to help the young woman in scenario 2?

   3. Read scenario 3 again, along with the following statement from Elder Russell M. Nelson: “Think of [God’s] gift to you of your own physical body. The many amazing attributes of your body attest to your own ‘divine nature’ [2 Peter 1:4]” (“Thanks Be to God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 78).

      Think about why it is important to remember that your physical body is a gift from God. How would you use Genesis 1:26–27 and the statement from Elder Nelson to help the young man in scenario 3?

Adam and Eve were married for eternity by the Lord and then given a commandment.

Read Moses 2:28. What was the first commandment God gave to Adam and Eve as husband and wife?

President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

“Marriage is designed of the Lord to make strong and happy homes and posterity. …

“… The Lord set the norm himself by bringing together Adam and Eve, his first male and first female on this earth, and performing a holy marriage ceremony to make them husband and wife. They were quite different in their makeup, with different roles to play. Hardly had he performed the ceremony than he said to them: ‘Multiply, and replenish the earth …’ (Gen. 1:28)” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 192).

You may want to mark the phrase “multiply and replenish the earth” in Moses 2:28. This phrase means to have children. Consider writing the following commandment in your scriptures near verse 28: God has commanded those who are married as husband and wife to have children.

Ponder how following this commandment today helps fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness.

Briefly scan Moses 2:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, and look for what the Lord said after each of the first five periods of the Creation was complete. You may want to mark what you find.

Read Moses 2:31, looking for what the Lord said after He finished the Creation, which now included the creation of Adam and Eve.

As you consider Heavenly Father’s plan, why do you think the phrase “very good” was given at this point in the Creation?

Elder Russell M. Nelson said: “Grand as it is, planet Earth is part of something even grander—that great plan of God. Simply summarized, the earth was created that families might be” (“The Creation,” 85).

Scripture Mastery—Genesis 1:26–27

4. In your scripture study journal, write a brief talk based on Genesis 1:26–27. In your talk, consider answering the following questions: What does it mean that I am created in the image of God? How can this truth affect my feelings about myself and others? How can it influence my daily actions? Consider sharing your talk with a family member or a friend.

5. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal:

   I have studied Moses 2 (also Genesis 1; Abraham 4) and completed this lesson on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: