Genesis: The Creation

Like any story in the scriptures, the story of the creation is not solely history. In it, we also see doctrine; we see how God governs and how He works; we see examples of which to pattern our lives; we learn principles that help us return to Heavenly Father and become more like our Savior. In reading about the Creation, there are a few overlooked key points that stand out in particular importance to me. 

Marriage is ordained of God from the beginning and is eternal. Before Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden, before there was death and when all was eternal, Adam and Eve were wed. Being married, they set the precept for all mankind to follow after. At the time, there was no end and so it must have been that God meant for marriage to last forever. It clearly states that Eve was his wife and Adam her husband. And it reads in Mark 10, "6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." We believe that what is bound on earth through Gods power- priesthood keys- will be bound in heaven. Thus, Adam and Eve were bound together in marriage and made one flesh eternally. 

Temples are essential for worshiping God.  From the account in Moses we find that Adam was commanded to make a sacrifice upon an alter, this being the first temple in existence. We learn that Adams sacrifice was in similitude of the sacrifice of Jeaus Christ. In every dispensation there must needs be a temple for ordinances and for the cause to come to Christ.  

We are created after Gods image- women also- which implies that we have a Heavenly Mother.  Genesis quotes God as saying "let us make man in our own image, after our likeness... So Gos created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; make and female created he them." Notice, in this scripture, god make man in "our" image. We could interpret this to mean Heavenly Father, Christ, and Michael- since Christ and Michael helped organize and create the earth under Heavenly Father's direction; or, we could interpret this as Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. We, as women, being created after Her likeness. Verse 3 in the hymn "O My Father" ring true  to my heart: "In the heav'ns are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare! Truth is reason, truth eternal, tells me I've a mother there." Heavenly Father is just that- our Father in Heaven. Even as on earth, a male and female are required for procreation. We must have need of a Mother in Heaven for this to be true. It's a beautiful thing to realize that God lives by the same rules and laws that we do, for He too, is eternally married. 

The more I study the account of Adam and Eve, the more I realize that the fullness of the gospel can be found. God gave all things unto Adam and Eve, but through unbelief and wickedness, truths were quickly lost. I also find that there is more to every story with the insights of modern day prophets. They are those who give the power to see the mysteries of heaven. To all, it is given in writing, but only those who seek diligently the restored gospel will understand and have truth unfolded to them.