(by Dennis B. Horne)
We are requested to touch upon a subject that seems to be much misunderstood by many people, including some of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even by persons who might be supposed to have correct information. It has been stated and published that “The earth is almost six thousand years old,” and on that theory, some inferences are drawn which are untenable if the premise is incorrect. The question is: are we to understand the assertion as literally true? If so, does not that come in direct opposition with the facts that are looked upon as demonstrated, and with scientific discoveries and rational teachings? The editor of the Millennial Star does not profess to know the precise age of this earth on which we live, but is prepared to state most emphatically that its age is very far in advance of that which is implied in the assertion that has given rise to these remarks.
In times
past a large portion of the religious world, following perhaps the chronology
of the scriptures given by Archbishop Usher, believed that the creation took
place in the year 4004 before Christ, but this no longer prevails among
enlightened people, and has been exploded by researches and developments and
scientific observation. Geology, or “the science of the earth,” has
demonstrated the fallacy of the idea that the earth is such a young planet in
this universe. We do not regard geology as sufficiently scientific to determine
exactly the period when this globe rolled into organized existence, revolving
on its own axis and traveling on its career round the sun, but the data
furnished by thoroughly sincere and truth exploring geologists are sufficiently
definite and reliable to prove that this planet existed and moved and had its
being long ages before the six-thousand-years period.
The
doctrine that God created the earth and everything mentioned in the Book of
Genesis concerning it, in six of our days, has been almost entirely set aside
in the light of modern discovery. It is generally believed by expounders of the
Hebrew scriptures that the “days” spoken of in the first chapter of Genesis
were periods extending over great lengths of time, and were not days of
twenty-four hours each, as at one time supposed. Modern revelation has made
this fact very clear, disclosing the truth that the “days” mentioned were God's
days, not measured according to man's reckoning taken from the diurnal
revolutions of this globe, but according to the motion of a great governing
orb, the revolution of which each day is a thousand of our years. These periods
were anterior to the bringing forth of man upon the earth, but the succession
of events narrated in the first chapter of Genesis was in the order there
described. Many scientific writers have advanced cogent arguments in evidence of
the correspondence between the Mosaic account and scientific declarations, so
far as this order of the creation is concerned.
The light
thus thrown on the process of creation and the periods thereof, throws back the
age of the earth at least a period of six thousand years before the time set
forth in the chronology, which for a long time was accepted in Christendom.
Readers of the Bible should understand that the figures placed at the head of
chapters [in Sectarian Bibles] therein are in a large degree speculative and
unreliable; some of them, showing the periods from the birth of some of the
patriarchs to that of others, are measurably correct, because they are computed
from statements given in the sacred record. But those ventured as starting
points on which to calculate the age of the earth, are altogether mere matters
of conjecture. That which we have referred to as given by modern revelation
does not disclose, or profess to disclose, the actual age of the earth. It only
starts from the period alluded to in Genesis 1:3 when “God said, Let there be
light; and there was light.” How many ages upon ages passed from the time
called “in the beginning,” to that when God called forth the light out of the
midst of the darkness, cannot be gleaned from any revelation or scripture
ancient or modern, that is now known to man.
The words “In
the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” signify the beginning of
this globe in its formation out of chaos. There is no beginning to the works of
creation, nor will there be any end. Each world is brought forth in its proper
time and place, to preserve the equilibrium of the universe and supply a
needful addition to continue its order and harmony. And to that orb it is the
beginning of its heaven and its organized materiality, but the term “created”
does not signify a production out of nothing. “Ex nihil nihil fit,” (out of
nothing, nothing comes). God has revealed that the word “create” signifies
organize; also that “the elements are eternal.” The primary atoms, or whatever
is the proper term to use in relation to their original essence, may be
organized into different forms and those forms may pass away and go back to
their original condition, but the substance remains and cannot be dissolved into
nothing.
When the
Prophet Joseph Smith enunciated the great truth just referred to, the whole
Christian world around him denounced him, as opposing and denying the
scriptures, but as time has passed along, some of the most eminent
philologists, as well as the great fraternity of scientists, have endorsed what
he set forth by the word of the Lord, not, however, recognizing him in their
declarations. There are, no doubt, many people, learned and unlearned, who
cling to the notion that God made the universe and all things therein out of
nothing, and that the earth and all things material will at some time perish
and pass away and be no more. But they are not to be classed with the truly
enlightened and advanced students either of science or theology.
Neither the
periods nor the processes of the development of the earth from the nucleus or
starting point of its organized development are revealed in the sacred
writings, but there may have been eons of ages between the time mentioned as “in
the beginning” until the time when “God said, Let there be light; and there was
light.” And it should not be thought that this command of Deity was the actual
creation or formation of light, for that is an eternal principle or
manifestation of an eternal essence. It was simply the bringing forth of light
to penetrate “the darkness which was upon the face of the deep.” So, when after
several periods in the order of creation “God said, Let there be lights in the
firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night,” and further, when it is
said, “God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the
lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also,” it is not to be
understood that they were for the first time brought into being, but that they
were disclosed to this globe, and their influence was brought to bear upon it
by the clearing away of the dense mists that had surrounded this planet.
As there is
much misunderstanding in regard to the origin of the earth, so there is
concerning its destiny. It is stated in scripture that “the earth and the works
therein shall be burned up.” The conclusion is leaped at from that remark that
the earth is then notion neglect to read that which follows, i. e., “Nevertheless,
we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein
dwelleth righteousness” (II Peter 3:10-13.) The lesson learned from these
verses is that this globe is to be purified by fire and the “elements to melt
with fervent heat,” but not to be annihilated. As it was once, in “the flood,”
cleansed by the baptism of water, so it is to be regenerated by the baptism of
fire and the Holy Ghost, and made a fit habitation for “righteousness” and the
righteous, that God may dwell among men and stand upon his “footstool” and
commune with man as he did before sin entered the world, and “death by sin.”
This globe will thus be restored to its primeval beauty and purity when God
looked upon it and saw that everything therein was “very good.” (See Rev.,
chaps. 21 and 22.)
The destiny
of this globe is to be fitted as a habitation for the righteous and “meek” of
the earth, who will inherit it in their resurrected state. The Lord has
revealed that “the earth abideth the law of its creation,” and when it has
fully filled the measure thereof, “it shall be crowned with glory; even with
the presence of the Father;” that “although it shall die, it shall be quickened
again” and shall be inhabited by beings clothed with the celestial glory: that “for
this intent was it made and created.” (See Doc. and Cov. sec. 88:17-26) There
are many other particulars concerning the future of this planet, formed by the
Eternal as a dwelling place for this branch of the great family of which he is
the Head, but on these we will not discourse further at present.
Suffice it
to say that this globe in its purified, immortalized condition is to be the
inheritance of the Saints of God wherein “the will of God will be done” as it
is obeyed in heaven, for his kingdom will come upon it in the fulness of his
glory, and he will visit it in person, and Christ, his Son, will reign over it,
and then there will be no more sickness or sorrow, darkness or diabolism, war
or conflict, pain or death. For Satan who once ruled it will be bound with all
his hosts, away from its vicinity, and it will no more bring forth anything
that will tend to evil or dissolution, but only that which will perpetuate life
and extend joy and pleasure and peace. Its elements are eternal; its
organization, when quickened by the Holy Spirit, will be “after the power of an
endless life;” it will be clothed with celestial glory, shining like “a sea of
glass mingled with fire;” it will scintillate in its own light and be numbered
among the ransomed worlds, basking in the everlasting effulgence of its Maker's
presence. Its beginning as a planet was away back in countless ages; its end
will be nevermore. (“The Age and Destiny of the Earth,” Improvement Era,
12: [May 1909] 7.)
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