Under the direction of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth (see Mosiah 3:8; Moses 2:1). From scripture revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, we know that in the work of the Creation, the Lord organized elements that had already existed (see Abraham 3:24). He did not create the world "out of nothing," as some people believe.

Additional Information

The scriptures also teach that Adam was "the first man of all men" (Moses 1:34). God created Adam and Eve in His own image and in the image of His Only Begotten (see Moses 2:26&27).

The Creation is an integral part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. It gives each of us the opportunity to come to the earth, where we receive a physical body and exercise our agency. In the premortal Council of the Gods, the following declaration was made: "We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:24&25).

Scripture References

Genesis 1,2
Hebrews 1:1 - 2
1 Nephi 17:36
D&C 38:1 - 3; 59:16 - 20
Moses 1 - 3
Abraham 4 - 5