In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth

Book of Moses Insights

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw et al.

Pearl of Great Price Central (Invalid Date)

This resource contains sixty-one short essays, with MP3 audio versions, on the book of Moses, examining the text in more detail. Included are discussions on the presence of temple themes, literary aspects, and ancient parallels in the book of Moses.

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham: Reflections on Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Steven C. Harper

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

This article explores the creation accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham, showing how restored scripture clarifies and expands our understanding of God’s purposes. It emphasizes using a Restoration-based approach to interpret the Old Testament, focusing on why God created the earth—so His children can gain immortality and eternal life—rather than on exactly how creation happened. Through the revelations of Joseph Smith, we learn that creation was deliberate, organized by divine counsel under Christ’s direction, and aimed at helping us become like our Heavenly Parents.

From Biology Major to Religion Professor: Personal Reflections on Evolution

Joshua M. Sears

BYU Studies 63, no. 1 (2024)

Joshua M. Sears shares his journey from being a biology major who didn't believe in evolution to becoming a religion professor who is now more comfortable with the idea of evolution. He explains that understanding official Church doctrine, studying the Old Testament, and accepting complex questions helped him change his perspective.

Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Book of Mormon Central

These short videos look in detail at the book of Moses and Genesis. The authors look at symbolism, temple architecture, spiritual creation, science and creation, and more. The essays are listed in the Daily Reading Plan and the Bibliography for this Come, Follow Me lesson at Book of Mormon Central. We also recommend the videos and bibliographies presented at Book of Mormon Central’s website.

It Takes Two: What We Learn from Social Science about the Divine Pattern of Gender Complementarity in Parenting

Jenet Jacob Ereckson

BYU Studies 62, no. 1 (2023)

In a world where cultural narratives often blur gender distinctions, this thought-provoking article by Jenet Jacob Erickson explores the profound, complementary roles of mothers and fathers in nurturing life. Drawing on doctrine and decades of social science research, Erickson reveals how each parent brings unique strengths that, together, create a wholeness essential for a child’s development—emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

The Creation of Humankind, An Allegory? A Note on Abraham 5:7, 14–16

Richard D. Draper

Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant (2005)

How literally should we understand the creation of Adam from the dust of the earth? One of Joseph Smith’s sermons taught that “God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam’s spirit.” Brigham Young taught that this description is symbolic, and many Latter-day Saints view the account of the creation of Adam and Eve as allegoric: symbolic rather than literal.

The LDS Story of Enoch as the Culminating Episode of a Temple Text

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

BYU Studies Quarterly 53, no. 1 (2014)

Moses 7 gives a detailed account of how and why Enoch and his people created a holy city. The general structure of the second half of the book of Moses follows a pattern exemplifying faithfulness and unfaithfulness to a specific sequence of covenants that is familiar to members of the Church who have received the temple endowment. The story of Enoch and his people in these latter chapters of the book of Moses provides a vivid demonstration of the final steps on the path that leads back to God and up to exaltation.

Book of Moses Insights

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw et al.

Pearl of Great Price Central (Invalid Date)

This resource contains sixty-one short essays, with MP3 audio versions, on the book of Moses, examining the text in more detail. Included are discussions on the presence of temple themes, literary aspects, and ancient parallels in the book of Moses.

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham: Reflections on Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Steven C. Harper

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

This article explores the creation accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham, showing how restored scripture clarifies and expands our understanding of God’s purposes. It emphasizes using a Restoration-based approach to interpret the Old Testament, focusing on why God created the earth—so His children can gain immortality and eternal life—rather than on exactly how creation happened. Through the revelations of Joseph Smith, we learn that creation was deliberate, organized by divine counsel under Christ’s direction, and aimed at helping us become like our Heavenly Parents.

Is God Subject to or the Creator of Eternal Law?

James M. McLachlan

BYU Studies Quarterly 60, no. 3 (2021)

The theory of creation ex nihilo protects God’s absolute power and the idea that God is not subject to law. Joseph Smith rejected creation ex nihilo and stated that there is something uncreated about the spirit of humans. The tradition that God is subject to eternal laws that either exist eternally or that emerge in Creation in relation to other eternal existences external to God is long and often defended in Latter-day Saint thought, but the idea that God decreed the laws from eternity is also present.

It Takes Two: What We Learn from Social Science about the Divine Pattern of Gender Complementarity in Parenting

Jenet Jacob Ereckson

BYU Studies 62, no. 1 (2023)

In a world where cultural narratives often blur gender distinctions, this thought-provoking article by Jenet Jacob Erickson explores the profound, complementary roles of mothers and fathers in nurturing life. Drawing on doctrine and decades of social science research, Erickson reveals how each parent brings unique strengths that, together, create a wholeness essential for a child’s development—emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

The Latter-day Saint Reimaging of “the Breath of Life” (Genesis 2:7)

Dana M. Pike

BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017)

The creation accounts include the phrase “the breath of life.” This article explains how Latter-day Saints often use this phrase in a Restoration-oriented meaning about the embodiment of the first human’s premortal spirit and, by extension, the embodiment of all other people’s spirits.

The LDS Story of Enoch as the Culminating Episode of a Temple Text

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

BYU Studies Quarterly 53, no. 1 (2014)

Moses 7 gives a detailed account of how and why Enoch and his people created a holy city. The general structure of the second half of the book of Moses follows a pattern exemplifying faithfulness and unfaithfulness to a specific sequence of covenants that is familiar to members of the Church who have received the temple endowment. The story of Enoch and his people in these latter chapters of the book of Moses provides a vivid demonstration of the final steps on the path that leads back to God and up to exaltation.

Why Bad Things Happen at All: A Search for Clarity among the Problems of Evil

John Sutton Welch

BYU Studies 42, no. 2 (2003)

The book of Moses creation account begins with the earth being “without form and void” (Moses 2:2), going through the spiritual and then the physical creation. It is significant that the book of Moses never describes or mentions “day seven” a second time. The book ends, not with the completion of humanity and God resting from his labors, but with the commandment to have faith, repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost: an invitation to become perfected and completed in the future. This need for further completion characterizes the moment we find ourselves living in. Judgment has not yet come, evil and disorder still exist to some degree in this world, day six of the creation is ongoing, and there are still many wonderful possibilities of this creation left to be completed.

Astronomy and the Creation in the Book of Abraham

Michael D. Rhodes, J. Ward Moody

Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant (2005)

This chapter looks at what we know and what we don’t know: What do we know about Kolob? What is the age of the earth? Was there death among plants and animals before the Fall? What are the seven creative periods taught in Abraham 3?

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham: Reflections on Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Steven C. Harper

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

This article explores the creation accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham, showing how restored scripture clarifies and expands our understanding of God’s purposes. It emphasizes using a Restoration-based approach to interpret the Old Testament, focusing on why God created the earth—so His children can gain immortality and eternal life—rather than on exactly how creation happened. Through the revelations of Joseph Smith, we learn that creation was deliberate, organized by divine counsel under Christ’s direction, and aimed at helping us become like our Heavenly Parents.

From Biology Major to Religion Professor: Personal Reflections on Evolution

Joshua M. Sears

BYU Studies 63, no. 1 (2024)

Joshua M. Sears shares his journey from being a biology major who didn't believe in evolution to becoming a religion professor who is now more comfortable with the idea of evolution. He explains that understanding official Church doctrine, studying the Old Testament, and accepting complex questions helped him change his perspective.

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham: Reflections on Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Steven C. Harper

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

This article explores the creation accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham, showing how restored scripture clarifies and expands our understanding of God’s purposes. It emphasizes using a Restoration-based approach to interpret the Old Testament, focusing on why God created the earth—so His children can gain immortality and eternal life—rather than on exactly how creation happened. Through the revelations of Joseph Smith, we learn that creation was deliberate, organized by divine counsel under Christ’s direction, and aimed at helping us become like our Heavenly Parents.

The Creation of Humankind, An Allegory? A Note on Abraham 5:7, 14–16

Richard D. Draper

Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant (2005)

How literally should we understand the creation of Adam from the dust of the earth? One of Joseph Smith’s sermons taught that “God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam’s spirit.” Brigham Young taught that this description is symbolic, and many Latter-day Saints view the account of the creation of Adam and Eve as allegoric: symbolic rather than literal.

The Latter-day Saint Reimaging of “the Breath of Life” (Genesis 2:7)

Dana M. Pike

BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017)

The creation accounts include the phrase “the breath of life.” This article explains how Latter-day Saints often use this phrase in a Restoration-oriented meaning about the embodiment of the first human’s premortal spirit and, by extension, the embodiment of all other people’s spirits.

A Prologue to Genesis: Moses 1 in Light of Jewish Traditions

E. Douglas Clark

BYU Studies 45, no. 1 (2006)

The famous opening words of Genesis, “In the beginning,” launch the reader immediately into the creation account without any hint of authorship. Not so in the book of Moses, whose first chapter serves as a kind of prologue to the creation account, which is a revelation to Moses when he was “caught up into an exceedingly high mountain.” Ancient texts such as Jubilees and rabbinic texts parallel elements of Moses 1. This article tells why Moses 1 is an essential introduction to the Bible.

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham: Reflections on Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Steven C. Harper

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

This article explores the creation accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham, showing how restored scripture clarifies and expands our understanding of God’s purposes. It emphasizes using a Restoration-based approach to interpret the Old Testament, focusing on why God created the earth—so His children can gain immortality and eternal life—rather than on exactly how creation happened. Through the revelations of Joseph Smith, we learn that creation was deliberate, organized by divine counsel under Christ’s direction, and aimed at helping us become like our Heavenly Parents.

Examining Six Key Concepts in Joseph Smith’s Understanding of Genesis 1:1

Kevin L. Barney

BYU Studies 39, no. 3 (2000)

The author identifies concepts that Joseph Smith taught in the King Follett sermon: The creation was effected not “out of nothing,” but from preexisting matter. In the very beginning, there was a plurality of Gods. Among this plurality, there was a head God (or there were head Gods). These Gods met in a grand council. These Gods in council appointed one God over us. The idea of a plurality of Gods, which is most easily seen “at the beginning,” is found throughout the Bible. The article uses the Hebrew text and scholarly interpretations to discuss each of these concepts and show that although these ideas were unusual in 1844, each point now has scholarly support.

From Biology Major to Religion Professor: Personal Reflections on Evolution

Joshua M. Sears

BYU Studies 63, no. 1 (2024)

Joshua M. Sears shares his journey from being a biology major who didn't believe in evolution to becoming a religion professor who is now more comfortable with the idea of evolution. He explains that understanding official Church doctrine, studying the Old Testament, and accepting complex questions helped him change his perspective.

It Takes Two: What We Learn from Social Science about the Divine Pattern of Gender Complementarity in Parenting

Jenet Jacob Ereckson

BYU Studies 62, no. 1 (2023)

In a world where cultural narratives often blur gender distinctions, this thought-provoking article by Jenet Jacob Erickson explores the profound, complementary roles of mothers and fathers in nurturing life. Drawing on doctrine and decades of social science research, Erickson reveals how each parent brings unique strengths that, together, create a wholeness essential for a child’s development—emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Joseph Smith Translating Genesis

Kent P. Jackson

BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 4 (2017)

This article explains the history of the Joseph Smith Translation, which is the foundation of unique Latter-day Saint texts of Moses and Abraham.

Miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John

Blair G. Van Dyke

Religious Educator 9, no. 3 (2008)

Blair G. Van Dyke explores the seven miracles recorded in John 2–11, highlighting their role in deepening faith in Christ within the context of John’s Gospel.

Old Testament Bibliography: Latter-day Saint Publications, 1997–2005

David Rolph Seely, W. Kenneth Hamblin, Erica Lamb Holland

BYU Studies 45, no. 1 (2006)

These two bibliographies are a comprehensive list of books and articles written from 1830 to 2005 by Latter-day Saints for Latter-day Saints about the Old Testament. The information is presented in three ways: by author’s last name, by canonical categories (Old Testament books), and by select subject categories (beginning with Aaron, Abraham and Sarah, Adam and Eve, adversity, etc.) The list draws from BYU Studies, Church Educational System symposia and manuals, Church study manuals, Contributor, Dialogue, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Ensign, The Evening and the Morning Star, Improvement Era, Millennial Star, New Era, Sperry symposia, Sunstone, theses and dissertations at BYU, and Young Woman’s Journal.

The Creation of Humankind, An Allegory? A Note on Abraham 5:7, 14–16

Richard D. Draper

Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant (2005)

How literally should we understand the creation of Adam from the dust of the earth? One of Joseph Smith’s sermons taught that “God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam’s spirit.” Brigham Young taught that this description is symbolic, and many Latter-day Saints view the account of the creation of Adam and Eve as allegoric: symbolic rather than literal.

The Holy Spirit: Creating, Anointing, and Empowering throughout the Old Testament

Lynne Hilton Wilson

The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (2009)

Many narratives in the Old Testament, including some in Numbers, teach about the role of the Holy Spirit. Moses’s lesson in delegation (Numbers 11) teaches that whoever the Spirit endows in empowered to work for God. Gifts of the Spirit include learning knowledge (Numbers 24:16), faith (Numbers 21:7-9), prophecy (Numbers 1:17), tongues (Numbers 22:28), and discernment of spirits (Numbers 24:2).

The Word and the Seed: The Theological Use of Biblical Creation in Alma 32

David E. Bokovoy

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 23, no. 1 (2014)

The account incorporates creation imagery from the opening chapters of Genesis. Alma’s sermon follows a theological pattern in the Hebrew Bible where creation is used to encourage audiences to exercise faith in the present by considering the primordial past.

Chart 17-3: Key Themes Common to Genesis 2-3 and Revelation 2-3

John W. Welch, John F. Hall

Charting the New Testament (2002)

This chart compares temple elements in the Garden of Eden to the temple of heaven described in Revelation 2–3.

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham: Reflections on Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

Steven C. Harper

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

This article explores the creation accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham, showing how restored scripture clarifies and expands our understanding of God’s purposes. It emphasizes using a Restoration-based approach to interpret the Old Testament, focusing on why God created the earth—so His children can gain immortality and eternal life—rather than on exactly how creation happened. Through the revelations of Joseph Smith, we learn that creation was deliberate, organized by divine counsel under Christ’s direction, and aimed at helping us become like our Heavenly Parents.

It Takes Two: What We Learn from Social Science about the Divine Pattern of Gender Complementarity in Parenting

Jenet Jacob Ereckson

BYU Studies 62, no. 1 (2023)

In a world where cultural narratives often blur gender distinctions, this thought-provoking article by Jenet Jacob Erickson explores the profound, complementary roles of mothers and fathers in nurturing life. Drawing on doctrine and decades of social science research, Erickson reveals how each parent brings unique strengths that, together, create a wholeness essential for a child’s development—emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Ensign 38, no. 3 (Mar. 2008)

Through his suffering, Jesus redeemed the souls of all men, women, and children, descending below all things so that he might comprehend all things. It is the greatest expression of divine love this world has ever been given.

The Creation of Humankind, An Allegory? A Note on Abraham 5:7, 14–16

Richard D. Draper

Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant (2005)

How literally should we understand the creation of Adam from the dust of the earth? One of Joseph Smith’s sermons taught that “God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam’s spirit.” Brigham Young taught that this description is symbolic, and many Latter-day Saints view the account of the creation of Adam and Eve as allegoric: symbolic rather than literal.

The Garden of Eden, the Ancient Temple, and Receiving a New Name

Alex Douglas

Ascending the Mountain of the Lord: Temple, Praise, and Worship in the Old Testament, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 43 (2013)

The stories of the Creation and the Garden of Eden are some of the best sources we have for understanding the ancient temple. The temple was viewed as a model of the cosmos, and we can clearly see both Eden’s paradisiacal state and the creation of the world reflected in its construction.

The Latter-day Saint Reimaging of “the Breath of Life” (Genesis 2:7)

Dana M. Pike

BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017)

The creation accounts include the phrase “the breath of life.” This article explains how Latter-day Saints often use this phrase in a Restoration-oriented meaning about the embodiment of the first human’s premortal spirit and, by extension, the embodiment of all other people’s spirits.

The Word and the Seed: The Theological Use of Biblical Creation in Alma 32

David E. Bokovoy

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 23, no. 1 (2014)

The account incorporates creation imagery from the opening chapters of Genesis. Alma’s sermon follows a theological pattern in the Hebrew Bible where creation is used to encourage audiences to exercise faith in the present by considering the primordial past.