Lectures on Faith - Lecture Second - Creation

1. Week 25
The Lectures on Faith - Lecture Second - Part 4
The Creation Theme

2. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 5-8
A Quick Reminder of the Importance
of the Lectures on Faith
Eighteen Verses – Chapter 11
[…after Denver explained what true repentance is…]
The next step is to “exercise faith.” In the libraries of materials written about faith, there
are few works as succinct and correct as The Lectures on Faith. I wrote in my first book,
The Second Comforter, that the Lectures should be read every year. They are that good.
Since I’ve discussed the subject of faith before, I won’t repeat it here. I would commend
the discussion in The Second Comforter to you.
The formula requires you to “exercise” faith. Although we bypass the subject of what
“faith” is; it is important to talk about how to “exercise” faith. By paring these words
together, the implication is that it requires activity. There is action taking place. It is not
something we “have” but something we “do.” Faith should be engaged and actively used.
The examples found in scripture are almost exclusively tied to a faithful person using faith
to benefit or serve others. In that sense, faith is directly connected to charity and
compassion. Christ’s greatest exercise of faith came as He ministered to and healed
others. Included within His great acts of faith is the Atonement itself.

3. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Outline

4. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Outline

5. Quick Review of the TERMS from Week 19
Lecture Second – Part 3
Verses 5-8
TERMS DISCUSSED:
 Dominion
 Situation of Man
 Natural Law
 Blessed/Being
 Image of God

6. QUICK REMINDER
Where We Are and Where We Are Going…
The Theme of Lecture Second:
“THE OBJECT ON WHICH [FAITH] RESTS”

7. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
9 And the Lord God said unto man, Behold, I have given you
every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the
earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding
seed; to you it shall be for meat.
10 Again, Genesis 2:15,16,17,19,20 [Gen. 2:13]: And the Lord
God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden, to
dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the
man saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat,
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not
eat of it, neither shall you touch it; nevertheless, you may
choose for yourself, for it is given unto you, but remember that
I forbid it, for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely
die.
11 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of
the field and every fowl of the air, and commanded that they
should be brought unto Adam to see what he would call them.
And whatever Adam called every living creature, that was the
name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the
fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.
12 From the foregoing we learn man’s situation at his first
creation: the knowledge with which he was endowed, and the
high and exalted station in which he was placed — lord or
governor of all things on earth, and at the same time enjoying
communion and intercourse with his Maker without a veil to
separate between. We shall next proceed to examine the
account given of his fall, and of his being driven out of the
Garden of Eden and from the presence of the Lord.
KEY CONCEPTS & HIGHLIGHTS:
Herb  Seed
Tree (week 8)  Fruit, Seed & Meat
Garden  Two Trees
Ground  Beast/Field, Cattle, Fowl/Air
Called & Named  Every living creature
Fruit / Seed  Good & Evil
Creation  “first” creation
Fall  “being driven out” of the Garden
QUESTION – What do these paragraphs have to do with FAITH?
*Consider that God is presenting these concepts so that we can begin to
relate to a Higher Order and Pattern of Heaven
Divine Parents Talk
“The account of the creation from Moses in Genesis is a
parable. The account veils identities of the role players unless
the parable is explained. Christ did this when He taught
publicly.”

8. We’ll Take One Specific Concept and Work to Develop It
Garden vs. Vineyard
…then provide a few other examples for your own pondering

9. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
Jacob 3:7
7 Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember
to have read the words of the prophet
Zenos which spake unto the house of Israel,
saying, Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and
hear the words of me, a prophet of the
Lord? For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will
liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a
tame olive tree which a man took and
nourished in his vineyard.
KEY QUESTIONS:
1) Why in Genesis 2 does it use the term "garden" while in
Jacob 3 it uses the term "vineyard"?
2) Why would an olive tree be planted in a vineyard??
3) Are there any significant differences between a "garden"
and a "vineyard"?
4) What are those differences?
 Our Father Ahman is a master teacher. He deliberately uses little
hints, nuances, "easter eggs" throughout scripture to prompt us and
invite us to ask certain questions and to make certain considerations
 Christ continually invites us to PONDER His Gospel - we must do this
to ascend, or otherwise we will remain stuck in the Telestial pit
 The scriptures are intended to be a personal Urim and Thummim to
us to light our way and lead us to "perfection"
10 Again, Genesis 2:15,16,17,19,20 [Gen. 2:13]: And
the Lord God took the man and put him into the
Garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it. And the
Lord God commanded the man saying, Of every
tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall
not eat of it, neither shall you touch it;
nevertheless, you may choose for yourself, for it is
given unto you, but remember that I forbid it, for
in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.

10. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
Garden vs. Vineyard (cont.)
1) When in the presence of God scripture uses the term "garden“
(i.e. T&C 9:12)
• This can be likened unto my children still living at home -
they still live in our “garden”
• My children (Jeffrey/Alexa & BrookLynn/Gabe) now live in
the “vineyard” outside of our family “garden”
2) All manner of seeds can grow in a "garden"
3) A “garden” comprehends the term and meaning of "vineyard"
4) God's garden is well cultivated and watered by Him - it is a
perfect environment for GROWTH
• God's garden is called "The Garden of Eden"
• The location is "eastward" - directions are important in
scripture

11. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
QUICK DETOUR - DIRECTIONS - East / West Movement
Joseph Smith translation of Genesis 6:6
"…that many journeyed from the east, and as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar,
and they dwelt there in the plain of Shinar"
There is importance in the direction of movement in the: 1) scriptures, 2) the creation narrative and 3) in the temple
endowment
The patterns of east to west movement – or west to east movement is consistent throughout all scripture.
When moving further east, that person is moving one step further away from the presence of the Lord.
Patterns to consider:
– The Garden of Eden was created "eastward in Eden."
– The next move east was made by Cain
– The Tabernacle in the Wilderness in Moses's day and Solomon’s Temple, whose openings faced the East.
– The patterns of the Egyptians are important to consider. There is such as where Osiris was buried and the people looked
to the east.
– The movement of the sun to consider. We notice that the sun comes up in the East and moves to the West.

12. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
Jacob 3:7
7 Behold, my brethren, do ye not
remember to have read the words of
the prophet Zenos which spake unto the
house of Israel, saying, Hearken, O ye
house of Israel, and hear the words of
me, a prophet of the Lord? For behold,
thus saith the Lord: I will liken thee, O
house of Israel, like unto a tame olive
tree which a man took and nourished in
his vineyard.
Garden vs. Vineyard (cont.)
Vineyard
1. Anciently "vineyards" would typically include two different complementary crops
(Week 10)
1. Grapes
• Wine
• Blood (Week 21 & Week 22)
• Sacrament (Week 13)
• Spirit of Christ
2. Olives
• Olive Oil (Week 10)
• Light/Food
• Doctrine of Christ (Week 11)
• Holy Ghost
2. In a vineyard we are typo-logically away from the direct gardening efforts of God
3. While away from the "Garden of Eden" God will provide seeds (aka "truths") for us
to plant in our vineyard (aka hearts and mind)
1. By faith we must plant those seeds
4. Hearts are related to grapes
1. Sacrament
5. Minds are related to olives
1. Doctrine of Christ

13. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
10 Again, Genesis 2:15,16,17,19,20 [Gen. 2:13]: And the Lord God
took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden, to dress it
and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man saying,
Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it,
neither shall you touch it; nevertheless, you may choose for
yourself, for it is given unto you, but remember that I forbid it,
for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.
KEY QUESTIONS:
Vs. 10 states “Of every tree you may freely eat” – except for the Tree
of Knowledge of Good and Evil
1) Does this mean before the Fall Adam & Eve could “freely
eat” of the fruit of the Tree of Life?
2) What is a “tree” in scripture?
3) Does a “tree” in scripture have gender?
4) Is the Tree of Knowledge MALE?
5) Is the Tree of Life FEMALE?
6) Does tree gender matter?

14. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
10 Again, Genesis 2:15,16,17,19,20 [Gen. 2:13]: And the Lord God
took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden, to dress it
and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man saying,
Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it,
neither shall you touch it; nevertheless, you may choose for
yourself, for it is given unto you, but remember that I forbid it,
for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.
Vs. 10 states “the Lord God took the man and put him into the
Garden of Eden”
1) From where did God “take” man?
2) So God took “man” and put him in the Garden
o Why use “man” instead of “Adam”?
o Were others already in the Garden?
3) Why does God call it a “garden” and name it “Eden” and
tell us it’s location?
4) Why in Zenos’ allegory does God call it a “vineyard”
instead of a “garden”

15. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
10 Again, Genesis 2:15,16,17,19,20
[Gen. 2:13]: And the Lord God took
the man and put him into the
Garden of Eden, to dress it and to
keep it. And the Lord God
commanded the man saying, Of
every tree of the garden you may
freely eat, but of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil you
shall not eat of it, neither shall you
touch it; nevertheless, you may
choose for yourself, for it is given
unto you, but remember that I
forbid it, for in the day that you eat
thereof you shall surely die.
KEY QUESTIONS:
Vs. 10 states “Of every tree you may freely eat” – except for the
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
1) What is a tree in this allegory and throughout scripture?
2) What is fruit in this allegory?
3) HOW exactly does one “eat” of these trees?

16. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
11 And out of the ground the Lord God formed
every beast of the field and every fowl of the air,
and commanded that they should be brought
unto Adam to see what he would call them. And
whatever Adam called every living creature, that
was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to
all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every
beast of the field.
KEY QUESTIONS:
Vs. 11 states “And out of the ground the Lord God formed… ”
1) How exactly did the beast and fowl come “out of the
ground”?
2) What is the “ground”?
o Is it the literal ground?
o Why was Eve NOT formed from the dust of the ground?
(see Divine Parents Talk – cited later…)
o What relationship is there to the “ground” and creation?
Vs. 11 states “…be brought unto Adam to see what he would call
them.”
1) Why would God command that Adam “call” and “name”
every beast and fowl?
2) What is the significance of being called?
3) What is the significance of a name?
4) When is it our right to name?

17. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 9-12
12 From the foregoing we learn man’s situation at his first
creation: the knowledge with which he was endowed, and the
high and exalted station in which he was placed — lord or
governor of all things on earth, and at the same time enjoying
communion and intercourse with his Maker without a veil to
separate between. We shall next proceed to examine the
account given of his fall, and of his being driven out of the
Garden of Eden and from the presence of the Lord.
KEY QUESTIONS:
Vs. 12 states “the knowledge with which he [Adam] was
endowed”
1) If Adam already was endowed with
knowledge, why couldn’t he partake the fruit
of a tree [named by God] that was described
to be knowledge of GOOD and EVIL?
2) With a natural tree, can both good and evil
fruit come from the same tree? If so – how?
Vs. 12 states “…enjoying communion and intercourse
with his Maker without a veil to separate between”
1) Can “communion and intercourse” with the
Maker happen with a veil that separates each
other?
1) What is the veil?

18. Lectures on Faith Lecture Second – Vs. 5-12
10 Again, Genesis 2:15,16,17,19,20 [Gen. 2:13]:
And the Lord God took the man and put him
into the Garden of Eden, to dress it and to
keep it. And the Lord God commanded the
man saying, Of every tree of the garden you
may freely eat, but of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat
of it, neither shall you touch it; nevertheless,
you may choose for yourself, for it is given
unto you, but remember that I forbid it, for in
the day that you eat thereof you shall surely
die.
Just the commandments
March 31, 2010
According to the Moses account of the creation, at the time the commandment was given to “not eat of” the tree of knowledge of
good and evil, the woman had not been created. (Moses 3:15-17.) It was after giving Adam this commandment that the woman was
created. (Moses 3: 21-23.)
Eve’s knowledge of the commandment came from Adam, not from God.
God’s commandment to Adam was: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it,
for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” The restriction placed on Adam was to “NOT EAT” of the fruit of that tree.
Adam’s explanation to Eve was different. Eve explained her understanding to the serpent when the serpent tempted her: “God hath
said--Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” (Moses 4: 9.) Eve’s understanding of the commandment varied from
what had been given to Adam by the addition of the words: “NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH OF IT.”
Adam added to the Lord’s commandment. This additional precaution was the error which set the transgression in motion. For when
Eve saw the serpent touching the fruit and not dying, it lent credibility to the assertion that “ye shall not surely die.” (Moses 4: 10.)
Being innocent, and therefore vulnerable to deception, Eve could not know she was confronting a lie. Instead she saw with her own
eyes that the commandment “not to touch” clearly did not result in death.
One of the great lessons of the Moses account is that adding to the commandments of God, no matter how well intentioned, is
going to lead to error if not tragedy. We do as He asks. Without adding to, nor subtracting from what He has bid us to do, we should
follow what we are asked by Him.
We cannot improve on His commandments. We cannot build a fence around His commandments by adding other precautions,
gestures, supplements, or restrictions. When we do that we produce excess, rigidity, unintended consequences and error. We teach
for doctrines the commandments of men. Inevitably leading to a form of godliness without any power. It’s an historic path to failure,
diminishing power in the priesthood until it is gone altogether. Detracting from our spiritual as well as physical health. Removing our
strength. Corrupting our posterity, as they are distracted from what they should receive as they seek for what they cannot attain by
“some other way.”
I rather like Moses’ account.
“neither shall you touch it”
…the importance of following commandments with exactness