We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

The 10th Article of Faith touches on several different events we believe will happen just prior to and at the beginning of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.

Gathering of Israel and Restoration of Ten Tribes

Elder Bruce R. McConkie labeled the Creation as one of the “very pillars of eternity itself”, along with the Fall and the Atonement, and I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that the doctrine of the Creation is a crucial part of our belief system as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the Plan of Salvation was presented to us by our Father in Heaven we learned that we would have to leave His presence to live in a place where we would have the freedom to choose who we wanted to be. Our new home would eventually be known to us as earth.

Due to our acceptance of modern revelation by inspired men such as Joseph Smith, the LDS belief regarding the Creation can differ greatly from the doctrine taught and accepted by other Christian churches. I hope that those of other faiths will not be afraid to leave their own beliefs regarding the Creation in the comments section as I am deeply interested in learning how we might differ, and of course, what areas of common ground we can find.

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We believe that under the direction of God the Father and through the power of the Priesthood, Jesus Christ created this world and everything in it, as well as many other worlds. In Moses 1:33, God the Father said “And worlds without number have I created…for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten…. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works.”  In this scripture, we learn that the Creation of the earth and other things we know (the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, etc)  is placed in a much larger context of ongoing creations of innumerable inhabited earths with their own respective heavens (in all of which Christ played a central role). Source.

All things created physically were first created spiritually. From scripture revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, we know that in the work of the Creation, the Lord organized elements that had already existed. We do not believe in creation”ex nihilo” or ”out of nothing.” “I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally 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” (Moses 3:5).

The Old Testament account of the Creation found in Genesis, as well as the accounts found in Moses and Abraham, break the creation up into six time periods, referred to as “days”. Elder McConkie talked about the meaning of the word “day” in this context:

But first, what is a day? It is a specified time period; it is an age, an eon, a division of eternity; it is the time between two identifiable events. And each day, of whatever length, has the duration needed for its purposes. One measuring rod is the time required for a celestial body to turn once on its axis. For instance, Abraham says that according to “the Lord’s time” a day is “one thousand years” long. This is “one revolution … of Kolob,” he says, and it is after the Lord’s “manner of reckoning.” (Abr. 3:4.)

Though we may not know how long it took, or understand exactly how such an organization of spirit matter can be accomplished, we certainly know it was magnificent! First, Christ formed and organized the earth. He divided light from darkness to make day and night. He formed the sun, moon, and stars. He divided the waters from the dry land to make seas, rivers, and lakes. He made the earth beautiful and productive. He made grass, trees, flowers, and other plants of all kinds. These plants contained seeds from which new plants could grow. Then He created the animals—fish, cattle, insects, and birds of all kinds. These animals had the ability to reproduce after their own kind.

After all of this was done, it was time for the most glorious act of them all, the creation of man. Our spirits would be given bodies of flesh and blood so they could live on earth. “And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so” (Moses 2:26). And so the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, were formed and given bodies that resembled those of our heavenly parents. “In the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). By this time, six time periods, or “days” had passed, and the Lord declared His work very good and rested for a time.

I believe God not only gave us our bodies and opportunity to experience mortal life and be tested, but that He created this world filled with beauty that we might have joy.

Roaring waterfalls,

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great mountains,

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rainbows,

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flowers,

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creatures of the land and sea,

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and of course our beautiful bodies which are capable of achieving so much. What glorious gifts our Father in Heaven has provided for us through the Creation!

I’ve touched several times on The Plan of Salvation, also know as The Plan of Happiness, presented to all of us in the pre-mortal life by our Father in Heaven. This Plan would give us the chance to gain a physical body and test our faith and devotion to the Lord. Central to The Plan was the concept of free agency. Although I think it must be hard to witness, Heavenly Father knew that letting His children make mistakes would give them the opportunity to grow and prove themselves as disciples of Christ and obedient children of God.

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. 2 Nephi 2:27

Free agency turns mortal life into a test and we all have a basic sense of right and wrong as part of our basic sense of self from birth. This is commonly referred to as a conscience, but in the LDS Church we refer to this sense as the Light of Christ. We believe this Light is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. When we choose to live according to God’s plan for us, our agency is strengthened. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices.

For free agency to exist there must exist opposition. Lehi, a great Book of Mormon prophet, told his son Jacob that in order to bring about the eternal purposes of God, there must be “an opposition in all things. If not so, … righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad” (2 Nephi 2:11). God allows Satan to work among us in order to provide that opposition. Satan works hard to make us as miserable as he is. One of his favorite tricks is to attempt to convince us that we are limited if we live by God’s rules. Satan often tries to convince me that the standards of the LDS Church limit my happiness. Wouldn’t I be happier if I could  drink at social events if I chose or if I didn’t have to wait until marriage to engage in sexual acts? Sneaky Satan, sometimes he comes close to tricking me into thinking this is so, but then I remember that although I have absolute freedom of choice when it comes to my actions, I don’t get to control the consequences of those actions.  Not drinking saves me money, ensures that I will never hurt myself or others because I was driving impaired, and guarantees I will never become addicted to a harmful substance. Waiting until marriage to be intimate with someone prevented unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. I am only better for choosing to live by these standards.

One thing that brings me great comfort is the teaching that Heavenly Father will never allow us to be tested beyond that which we can withstand. He knows my limits, my abilities, even better than I know myself, and those times when I feel overwhelmed are an opportunity to reach out and draw closer to Him. I am working daily to discern what is right, and what is wrong, and choose the right.

When Heavenly Father presented The Plan of Salvation to His Heavenly Family, the scriptures tell us that we shouted for joy (see Job 38:7). We had been told that we would be given the opportunity to prove our faithfulness and devotion to God, and that we would be rewarded greatly when we chose the right way.

But, we would have temptations and we knew at times we would fall. We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, “Whom shall I send?” (Abraham 3:27). Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah, said, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27; see also Moses 4:1–4). Jesus Christ is our eldest brother, the most faithful of God’s children during the premortal existence. Even though he understood the great suffering that it would entail, Jehovah stepped forward and said he would pay for our sins through the Atonement.

There was another who stepped forward and proposed a way for God’s children to return and live with Him again. Satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor” (Moses 4:1). Satan wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan, we would not be allowed to choose. He would take away the freedom of choice that our Father had given us. Satan was offering this other plan, a plan different than the Father’s because he desired the power and glory that would result.

Heavenly Father declared “I will send the first” (Abraham 3:27), and Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be the Savior of the world (see 1 Peter 1:19–20).

Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior, Satan became angry and rebelled, causing a war between those who chose the plan of God and those who chose the plan of Satan in heaven. The Savior’s followers “overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Satan and those who chose to follow him were cast out of heaven. Those who were cast out were denied the opportunity to receive mortal bodies and use their free agency to choose to return to live with God again. They must realize now what a poor choice they made as they are working very hard to convince all of us to abuse our free agency and misuse our bodies.

Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Hooray! In our premortal life, we chose to follow Jesus Christ and accept God’s plan and we must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home once again.

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Revelation is how God talks to us. Through the Holy Ghost impressions are given and inspiration is received. We each have the ability to receive revelation for those we have stewardship over, so I can receive revelation regarding my own needs, the needs of my children, and even the needs of those who I have been called to teach and care for in my role as a visiting teacher (sisters in the LDS Church are paired up and given the names of other sisters in the ward to visit with at least once a month and care for). The bishop of our ward supplicates the Lord for revelation on how he should care for and direct the members of the ward. The prophet has the great responsibility of receiving revelation for the entire Church.

We can also receive inspiration for those in need, who may not fall under our stewardship at the time. I can’t think of a specific example from my own life, but I’ve heard of many wonderful instances where a family felt was overwhelmed and unable to pay their groceries, and a bag of food showed up on their doorstep. Or when a sister in the ward felt particularly overwhelmed while attempting to care for her children and another women showed up on her doorstep unasked and tidied up the house and helped care for the children. I believe God often inspires us to be the angels on earth that others need in times of trial.

The scriptures sometimes speak of visions, dreams, and visitations by angels, marvelous and glorious events that not everyone will experience in their lifetime. I know that in my own life, revelation is always much quieter, much more subtle. I must be actively working to draw as close to the Lord as possible if I want to hear the whisperings He sends through the power of the Holy Ghost. If a person is looking for guidance from God sometimes it may be difficult to know how to begin looking for it. LDS.org has a wonderful list of things that can be done to receive more guidance from the Holy Ghost:

Pray for guidance. The Lord said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8). In order to find and receive, we must seek and ask.

Be reverent. Reverence is profound respect and love. When we are reverent and peaceful, we invite revelation. Even when everything around us is in commotion, we can have a reverent attitude and be prepared to receive guidance from the Lord.

Be humble.Humility is closely related to reverence. When we are humble, we recognize our dependence on the Lord.

Keep the commandments. When we keep the commandments, we are prepared to receive, recognize, and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Partake of the sacrament worthily. The sacramental prayers teach how to receive the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. When we partake of the sacrament, we witness to God that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of His Son and that we will always remember Him and keep His commandments. Our Heavenly Father promises that when we keep these covenants, we will always have the Spirit to be with us. (See D&C 20:77, 79.)

Study the scriptures every day. As we diligently study the scriptures, we learn from the examples of men and women whose lives have been blessed as they have followed the Lord’s revealed will. We also become more receptive to the Holy Ghost in our own lives. As we read and ponder, we may receive revelation about how a certain scripture passage applies to us or about anything else the Lord desires to communicate to us.

Take time to ponder. When we take time to ponder the truths of the gospel, we open our mind and heart to the guiding influence of the Holy Ghost (see 1 Nephi 11:1; D&C 76:19; 138:1–11). Pondering takes our thoughts from the trivial things of the world, helping us gain a more eternal perspective and bringing us closer to the Spirit.

When seeking specific guidance, we should study the matter out in our minds. At times the Lord’s communication will come only after we have studied a matter out in our minds.

Patiently seek God’s will. God reveals Himself “in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will” (see D&C 88:63–68). Revelation will often come line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. We should be patient and trust in the Lord’s timing

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is built upon the idea that God still speaks to His children today, that He still has so much more He wants us to learn. Through the power of revelation Joseph Smith brought forth an ancient record called the Book of Mormon, a record of His children living in Ancient America, containing messages of hope, peace, joy, trials and tribulations similar to those found in the Bible. As LDS members we frequently use the term “modern revelation” to speak of official pronouncements from Church leaders, like those found in the book known as the Doctrine and Covenants and addresses from General Conference. We sustain our leaders as men called by God to serve in those capacities and believe that it is their stewardship to receive revelation for the areas which they have been called to preside over.

I am frequently asked why I choose to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Why do I believe that this is the same Church Jesus Christ founded upon the earth 2000 years ago? The power of personal revelation. I read the words of the leaders I believe are stewards over the earth today, just as great men from the Bible like Moses and Noah and Enoch were given responsibility over God’s children, and the Spirit of the Lord testifies to me that what I am reading is the truth. That following the teachings of the men who have guided the Church from the time of Joseph Smith until now (and continuing on into the future) will bring me not just happiness, but eternal joy, and that by following their teachings I can return to live with my Father in Heaven once again.