Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5: Lesson 7

Genesis 1:1–25

The Creation

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Take a moment to look around at the incredible world you live in. The stunning beauty of our world is a masterpiece. It stands as evidence of its glorious Creators, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As you study the Creation of the earth, this lesson can help you feel a greater love and gratitude for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Study the Scriptures

Contemplate the majesty of the building below:

What do you think makes people want to visit a building like this? How do you think the creators of beautiful buildings feel when people enjoy their work?

Now think about how you feel when you see the beauty of the landscape below:

How often do you take time to admire or appreciate these earthly wonders? What earthly wonders do you love?

While there are many beautiful buildings in the world, nothing can quite compare with the majesty of Christ’s creations.

As you study today, prayerfully invite the Holy Ghost to help you feel love and gratitude to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for the creation of this world.

“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (Gospel Library) states that “under the direction of His Father, [Jesus Christ] was the creator of the earth.”

Creation period. The word day refers to a period of creation, not a specific span of time (see Abraham 4, where the creative periods are labeled “time”). Note: The creation of man and woman will be addressed in greater depth in lessons “Genesis 1:26–27” and “Genesis 1:28–31; 2:1–25.”

While our understanding of the Creation is limited, there is much we can learn and appreciate as we study the scriptures. Genesis 1 contains some details about Jesus Christ creating the earth. Read the account of the first six creative periods from Genesis 1, which teaches about the Creator and creation. Identify and mark each “day” of creation in your scriptures. One way to do this is to copy the table below:

Day 1: Genesis 1:1–5	Divided light from the darkness
Day 2: Genesis 1:6–8
Day 3: Genesis 1:9–13
Day 4: Genesis 1:14–19
Day 5: Genesis 1:20–23
Day 6: Genesis 1:24–27

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

What more can I learn about the Savior’s role as Creator?

Choose three or more of the following passages to study. Tag any truths that help you understand and appreciate Jesus Christ as our Creator.

• Alma 30:43–44

• Doctrine and Covenants 38:1–3

• Doctrine and Covenants 59:18–20

• Doctrine and Covenants 76:22–24

• Moses 1:33, 39

• Moses 6:63

Respond to the following questions in your notebook:

• What were some meaningful words or phrases from the verses you studied? Why were they meaningful to you?

• What did these verses help you learn or feel about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Option B

How can I express gratitude for the Creator?

Bishop Gérald Caussé of the Presiding Bishopric taught:

As stewards of God’s creations, we have a duty to honor and care for them.

As God’s children, we have received the charge to be stewards, caretakers, and guardians of His divine creations. … Our Heavenly Father allows us to use earthly resources according to our own free will. Yet our agency should not be interpreted as license to use or consume the riches of this world without wisdom or restraint. …

President Russell M. Nelson once remarked: “As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations” [Ensign, May 2000, 86; Liahona, July 2000, 104].

Beyond being simply a scientific or political necessity, the care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility. It is also an integral component of our discipleship. How can we honor and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ without honoring and loving Their creations? (“Our Earthly Stewardship,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 57–58)

Select a hymn that is about the Savior and His creations. You could find “Jesus Christ—Creator” in the Topics section of the printed version of the hymnbook. You could also search “Creator” or “Nature” in the hymnbook in Gospel Library. Mark any words or phrases that are meaningful to you. You may also want to add “Jesus Christ, Creator” as a tag.

Choose one of the following activities to complete:

1. Write a journal entry that expresses gratitude for Jesus Christ and His creations.

2. Draw a picture that represents your feelings toward the Savior and His creations.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you feel love and gratitude for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you study the Creation of the earth.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• What you learned or felt about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you studied the Creation.

• What you created that expresses gratitude for Jesus Christ and His creations.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?