The Earth & the Plan of Happiness

The Course of the Earth Teaches the Plan of Happiness

By    Jeffrey A. Bushman    June 2014

My goal is to show that the God uses the earth and other heavenly bodies to bear witness of his plan for the exalting of his children.  The first part will focus on the history of the earth and what is foretold about what will happen to her in the future.  The following verse shows all things bear witness of the Savior, and it especially focuses on the heavens and the earth.

Moses 6:63 “And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.”

Also in 2 Nephi 11:4 it states that all things are to the typifying of Christ, meaning not only himself but also his mission.  I will try and show how the earth is teaching his mission and giving us an example of how to follow him.

First, (Creation) We learned that when the Lord created the earth as recorded in Genesis and also in the book of Moses, that it was created spiritually before it was natural, meaning it would have remained forever in the same state God created it if Adam had not partaken of the forbidden fruit. (See 2 Nephi 2:22)  Another consequence of not partaking of the fruit would be that there would have been no death.

Also in Abraham 5:13 we are to know that Adam, when he was living on this paradisiacal earth was still on the Lord’s time.  That one day of the Lords time would equal 1000 years here on earth after the fall of Adam and Eve.  We also learn that Adam was given dominion over all things on the earth as well as the earth itself. (Genesis 1:26, or Moses 2:26)  So here the earth is pretty much in the same condition as Adam himself and could have remained that way forever.

Second, (Fall) We know that when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that they fell, hence bringing death or mortality to everything living thing on the earth.  The earth itself was cursed (Gen. 3:17 )and fell bringing it and all life into a mortal state where death reigned along with being cut off from the presence of the Lord.

Third, (Baptism) Since mankind had become natural men and women or mortal with a desire to follow their own carnal desires, the Lord had the doctrine of the atonement taught to show mankind that through the Savior’s atonement this fall could be overcome.   This required developing faith in Christ, the repentance of their sins, being baptized and accepting the reception of the Holy Ghost they then could become clean and pure through the atonement enabling us to return to live with Heavenly Father again, this covenant is made at baptism.

The earth showed it’s obedience for the wind, dust rock, mountain would obey the Lord.  The earth was baptized during the flood in Noah’s day when according to Gen 7:19-20 the earth was totally submerged under water and 8 souls (Noah and his 3 sons and their wives) were saved by water. Consider the following verses in 1 Peter 3:18-21 where Peter taught that when Christ died that when his body died that he was quickened by the spirit which allowed him to visit the spirits in the spirit world and teach them the gospel plan of Salvation.  Now in verse 20 it tell us who these spirits are, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”  Here it says the like figure, or in other words the same number 8 is when we should be baptized.   Eight is a number that means new beginnings and Noah’s story turns now into a story that shows the Lord starting over with both man and beasts.  Also the flood washed away (through baptism) all sin and wickedness from the world and saved only the righteous.

Fourth, (Cleansed by fire or Holy Ghost) We have learned that at the second coming of Christ that the wicked will be burned.  Malachi taught it this way; 4:1 “For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” 

2 Thessalonians 2:8 is talking about what will happen to the wicked at this time. “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”   In the next verse he tells us that those who were burned, even those whose coming is after the workings of Satan. (Wicked)

Here the earth is again baptized by fire (Holy Ghost) and all wickedness is cleansed from off the earth and it becomes new and clean.

Fifth, (Millennium or 1000 years of peace or rest)   Just a few scriptures to give us some idea what will happen to the earth after the wicked are burned.  Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

 14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

Isaiah 65:17  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

25  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.:

Also in Moses 7:  61 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

 64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.

Articles of Faith 10 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.

Here we learn that the earth, after or during its cleansing, will be moved back closer to our Heavenly Father and  will be in a new heaven where both man and beast along with the earth will enjoy rest and peace for 1000 years in this paradisiacal state.  It should then be more like the paradise that God created for Adam and Eve.

Sixth, (The Earth shall die)  Luke in his recorded account of Christ talking about his second coming, stated that he wanted the apostles to understand that everything he says will happen and will really take place.  Luke records it this way, Luke 21:33,  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.   In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord adds another witness in Section 29:23, …the earth shall be consumed and pass away…   And later in Section 88:26 of the Doctrine and Covenants it also talks about the earth dying.  It seems that the earth will die by fire and be consumed.

Seventh, (The earth shall be resurrected) 

Doctrine and Covenants 88:17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.

 18 Therefore, it (the earth) must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;

 19 For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;

 20 That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.

 25 And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—

 26 Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.    See also 1 Corinthians 15:40-42

Christ seems to be referring to this same doctrine during his great discourse at the Sermon on the Mount, for in Matthew 5: 5  he states this beatitude “Blessed are  the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  It will be theirs forever.

In Genesis, God covenanted with Abraham to give him a promised land for an everlasting possession.  He promised to Moses and the Israelites he led, to a promised land, that they could have forever from generation to generation if they remained faithful.  If they became wicked and wouldn’t repent they would be cut off from the land or from the presence of the Lord.  They would lose their place in the Celestial Kingdom for it was only for the meek of the earth.

This same promise is given over and over in scriptures as the Lord leads people away from wickedness and takes them to their promised lands.  We call this promise part of the Abrahamic Covenant.

If you would like one more scripture about this check out section 130:9 in the Doctrine and Covenants where it couldn’t be plainer.

Addendum, another item dealing with the earth are the four seasons.  There are many imageries that could deal with these seasons, I will give only one or two.

1^st    Fall after Adam ate the fruit he fell and became mortal which brought

2^nd   Winter or death with no new life

3^rd    Spring or new beginnings or new life both physically or spiritually like baptism made available by the savior.

4^th     Summer as a time to prepare, especially for winter when we will have to be sustained by our labors.

Or

1^st    Spring is symbolic of our new beginnings, or our life here on the earth, giving us a chance to begin growing and progressing. (1^st vision, Christ’s birth, and restoration of the Lord’s church)

2^nd   Summer would be a time of growing and progressing to full maturity. (Now is the time to work out our salvation by following the example of our Lord and Savior)

3^rd    Fall could also be symbolic of harvest and appreciation for all the Lord gives us, laying up in store what the Lord has made available. (When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith it was on Sep. 21^st,  where he stated several times that the field was white already to harvest and he who would thrust in his sickle who lay up much in store, (people) and bring salvation to his soul.

4^th  Winter, or the night of darkness (death) when there can be no labor perform.  Let us pray that we don’t procrastinate the day of repentance until it is impossible to grow and store up for eternal life.  (Parable of 10 virgins)

Now try your own

A weird add on, there is another way that the earth is used to teach the Lord’s plan for the children of God.  We have been taught in the “Proclamation on the Family,” that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.  It also mentions that gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.  I believe that if God gives you details in scripture then he does it for the purpose of teaching us more about himself and his plan.  Take a look at the two Isaiah verses given below and notice what gender is used for the sun, moon and earth.  There are quite a few verses in Holy Scripture that use the same gender for these heavenly bodies.

Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

I guess there is a good reason why we refer to the earth as “mother earth”.  But if the earth is only female can she bring forth life by herself?  Now we know that it takes male and female to beget life, so who is the earth’s partner in creating a family for all life here?

We know that it takes the sun to be in the right position or relationship with the earth to enable the two of them to bring forth life here.  It might be fun to explore how the moon may affect life here on earth.  What effect does she have on the sea?  It is also interesting that in the book of Malachi chapter 4:2 it talks about the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and the righteous will go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  Here Jesus is called the Sun for he is the life and the light of the world.  He has healing in His wings (wings are symbolic of his power to move and to act, to complete the atonement, see D&C 77) with this power he will feed his calves (the righteous) like a calf in the stall who have all that they need.  In Doctrine and Covenants 88:7, it teaches that Christ is the light of the sun.  And in Matthew 13:43 it teaches that we should become like Christ for the righteous shall shine as the sun, for he is the great exemplar.

Christ is the symbolic husband of the earth, (where his children are born and raised by his symbolic wife the earth) who herself keeps the Celestial law and will live forever as the Celestial Kingdom in the presence of the Sun. (Christ)