The Creation
This portion of the Creation episode explores
- the worldview of the Ancient Near East
- details of the Genesis creation accounts
- theories of authorship of the Books of Moses
- evolution
- the origins of the universe
Recurring Donation:
One Time Donation:
Class Reading:Moses 1:27-42; 2; 3; Abraham 3:24–25; see also 1 Nephi 17:36; Moses 6:63; Alma 30:44.
Additional Reading: Abraham 4–5
Other Reading: Genesis 1–2
You can access the Annotated Reading here (or PDF)
You can access the full Lesson Notes here (or PDF)
Timeline
Lesson Part 2
0:00 Creation accounts via Genesis
Lesson Part 3
13:28 Genesis Authorship
18:02 Moses as Author
19:17 Evolution and Creation
Discussion Part 2 (w/Sheldon)
24:33 Genesis Creation: Text and Context
Discussion Part 3 (w/Sheldon)
34:53 Documentary Hypothesis and Mosaic Authorship for LDS
41:50 The Bible is not Trying to Prove Points, it’s Making Points
Discussion Part 2 (w/Amanda and Danny)
43:28 Genesis Creation: Text and Context
Discussion Part 3 (w/Danny and Amanda)
50:59 Framing
52:29 Human Evolution
1:01:47 Creation and The Universe
1:09:00 Probability of Creation, and Geologic/Cosmic Time
1:16:16 Closing Comments on God, Science and Theology
Resources
- A CES synopsis of the Creation accounts
- Comparing the Creation Accounts, Mormon Matters
- Mormon Matters Episode on Creation and the Fall
- Ensign reposting of the 1909 statement on Evolution
- Ben the Scribe’s post on Lesson 3
- Robert Alter’s Commentary on Genesis
- Robert Alter, Five Books of Moses
- Jewish Study Bible
- Discovering the Old Testament, Episode 3 (Beginnings)
- Discovering the Old Testament, Episode 4 (Creation and the Garden)
- BCC post about LDS opinions on Evolution
- Church News post on Adam that includes McConkie quote
Thanks to James Estrada for going above and beyond to get this episode out in time, and to to Steven Nelson for the beautiful bumper music.
Engaging Gospel Doctrine 
Hi Jared,
I am a brand new SS teacher, convert to the church (10 years ago) and feel very underprepared to teach Godpel Doctrine. This episode was wonderful!
As I was studying the accounts from Moses, Abraham and Genesis I discovered that in each account ADAM is command to not eat from the Tree of Knowledge BEFORE Eve was even created. Was this a commandment for Eve also? This seems like a major loop hole and impossible for me to be the first to realize this. You may cover this in lesson 4, but I was just wondering what your take on this is?
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Interesting insight! I think that the temple incorporates this idea.
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