The debate rages on between scientists and religionists over the creation timeline, but it can all be easily explained when we understand LDS theology and how creation was a 2-step process.

Spiritual vs. Physical Creation

In Hebrews 11:3 we read:

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

What does that mean? In the LDS book of scripture known as the Doctrine & Covenants, there are a few verses which help expand this concept.

31 For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal-
32 First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work-

The Lord declares here that there are two different types of creation at work. One was spiritual, and the other was temporal. In the beginning of God’s work, he created all things spiritually before they were created physically. At the end of the world, he will transform the temporal or physical things into spiritually perfected creations to endure through eternity (ie. resurrected, immortal joining of spirit and physical matter)

Genesis 2:4-5 expresses the creation concept in this way:

4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

So was it 7 days or millions of years for the earth to be created?

In the LDS faith, we have another book of scripture we use called the Pearl of Great Price, and in it there are two accounts of the creation story. The first one is in the book of Moses and gives us an account of the spiritual creation, while the second account from the book of Abraham is an account of the physical creation.

In the book of Moses, each period of creation is called a “day,” which Peter informs us that God’s days are like 1,000 of our years ( 2 Peter 3:8).

However, in the book of Abraham, it does not identify the creation periods as days, but as “times.” So things happened in the first time, second time, and so on.

Now this part isn’t something I’ve been taught as official church doctrine but it’s a way for me to mesh these concepts in what seems a logical way. God is a being that is not limited by linear time such as we are. Imagine that after planning the creation out during the spiritual creation, God then stepped into our temporal time line and initiated the gathering of star dust to form the earth, or even brings a massive star from another dimension and causes it to explode here in our universe. He then steps back out of the temporal timeline and as a multi-dimensional being, a moment later steps into the temporal timeline millions or billions of years after initiating this action. He observes the gathering of the atoms and particles and gives his next set of instructions from the spiritual creation plan and again steps out of the timeline. He then re-enters millions of years later on that timeline but to him it is just a short moment. Angels and servants of God could step into the work at important points to assist in beautifying and populating the earth by creating rivers, valleys, plants, trees, creatures, and eventually man was placed on the earth to begin the temporal existence of man on the earth. Each object has it’s spiritually created form placed within the physical form to give it life and a connection to God. It becomes a soul.

Now I don’t know that that’s exactly how things worked, but I do know from the scriptures that there was a spiritual and temporal creation and that someday all things will be revealed to us in a way that makes perfect sense. Knowing that all things are before God (D&C 88:41), and that he is not a being constrained by time, it make sense to me that he can influence things in lower dimensions as needed and at will much like we can turn to any page in a book and read or write on that page because we exist outside of that linear book. What makes sense to me is that there was a spiritual blueprint phase of creation, and then a temporal phase of actually making the stuff from the blueprint. God didn’t have to be here babysitting creation for millions or billions of years for the earth and universe to age. His time could have been 6 days of creation to get everything accomplished according to his time.

I realize this is speculative, but it’s sort of how I make sense of things until I get to watch “the movie” on how God created everything.

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As a young man growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, I was fascinated by space and thoughts of “what’s really out there?” I became a fan of the Star Trek series (and others that followed such as my favorite–Babylon 5) imagining what it would be like “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” I wondered what was really out there. What would it be like to find another populated world and communicate with the inhabitants? Would they look like us or totally different? Is there any limit to God’s creations?

In the Bible we read “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) What does that mean? The earth itself is a vast world with so much to explore. We still find new species of animals we haven’t been aware of, and yet we are just a tiny speck in the universe.

In the LDS faith, we use the Bible and other records of scripture that also record God’s dealings with his children on earth. There are a few passages which illustrate the vastness of space and God’s creations. I will share two of the most related to this topic. In these verses from the book of Moses, God tells Moses that we’re not the only children God has created and put upon an earth. In fact, he’s had a lot of experience doing what he’s doing.

Moses 1
33 And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.
…
35 But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.
36 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.
37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
38 And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Ever wondered where God came from and what his purpose in existence is? God’s purpose in the eternities is to create life on worlds and then raise it up into the eternities.

The second passage which is a greater illustration of this point comes later in the Book of Moses when God is speaking to another prophet by the name of Enoch. Enoch’s experience differed from Moses’ in that he seems to have been shown the vastness of the heavens and recorded his experience in this manner.

Moses 7
30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;

These are my 2 favorite videos (so far) that illustrate this.

First on our size in the universe. (http://www.youtube.com/v/HEheh1BH34Q)

Then into the darkness of space (the 20 seconds of annoyance does end :)). Literally, imagine what happens if you look at what appears to be a speck of blackness in space where normal telescopes can’t see anything. Imagine holding a grain of sand at arms length and then blowing it up to poster size and how many grains of sand you could fill around you 360 degrees in all directions. Then watch this. (http://www.youtube.com/v/mcBV-cXVWFw)

The Mormon belief in aliens

So do Mormons believe in aliens really depends on your definition of what constitutes an alien. Little green men? E.T.? We don’t know what all God has created, but we do know and believe that we are not the only creations God has out there in the universe. Joseph Smith, a latter-day prophet, recorded these words in another book we consider scripture, clearly showing our belief that God’s children are throughout the universe.

Doctrine & Covenants 76
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

God loves all his children and out of the vastness of his creations, we are remembered and loved individually.

Want to learn more than what Mormon’s believe about aliens?

To learn more about the LDS faith and scriptures, click here for a free copy of the Book of Mormon to be sent to you.

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