The Creation – What piece of the universe did Jesus Christ create?
Just how much of the universe did the Savior create (organize)? Just this earth, the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy, or did he create the whole thing? Is our universe only one of his many creations? How much of the universe is inhabited? Why create such a vast system with such a seemingly low density of God’s children? This article will probe these questions by combining our understanding of both science and religious revelations to perhaps arrive at some answers.
Jesus Christ creating the universe [1]
The Science
The universe is a pretty big place, 1032 cubic light years for just the portion that is observable. Then there is the postulated portion that is expanding faster than the speed of light that we cannot see. The known portion is estimated to contain around 2 trillion galaxies, the major building blocks of our current universe. Each contains stars, planets, and vast clouds of gas and dust, all bound together by gravity.
Concerning the creation of the universe, science teaches us three relevant observations; 1) the universe is all one big system which was initiated from a dense fireball and is slowly evolving; 2) the universe is homogenous and the natural laws of physics are everywhere present; and, 3) there are many earth-like planets that would sustain life similar to us, but are far apart. Let’s look at each one of these premises.
Lambda-CDM Cosmology Model of the Universe [2]
1. Our Universe is one big contiguous system
Scientists agree that according to the Lambda-CDM model the entire universe seems to have been created all at once (whether you subscribe to the “big bang”, or not) and is following an evolutionary process. Scientists point to four major pieces of evidence to confirm this; 1) We have measured the rapid expansion of the galaxies and supernovae in the universe, which contrary to Einstein’s theory of general relativity, seem to be expanding at an increasing rate. This points to a beginning of everything. 2) We have measured the cosmic microwave background (CMB) that is the faint glow of microwave radiation generated within a few hundred thousand years in the development of our universe. This gives evidence of one of the early stages of the evolutionary process. 3) The age of stars plotted according to luminosity (brightness) and color (temperature) in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram fit within their 105 to 108 year old window of development, showing another stage in the evolutionary process. 4) Finally, Nucleosynthesis, which is the process over time of simple particles developing into more complex ones, fits within the model predictions. All these studies point to a single system and creation event for the entire universe.
2. Our Universe is homogenous with natural laws everywhere present
The second observation is that the natural laws of the universe are homogenous; that is they are the same everywhere. We may not fully understand these laws, but one part of the universe doesn’t seem to behave differently than another. There are currently 4 fundamental forces; weak, strong, gravitational, & electromagnetic and three fundamental particles; quarks, leptons, & bosons. (If you were thinking of protons, neutrons, and electrons, you are way behind the times!) These forces and particles exist everywhere throughout the universe. Let’s take an example. A photon is a certain class of the boson particle. We see it as light if in our detectability range. However, it can occur with long wavelengths (radio waves) and short wavelengths (Gamma-rays) that are outside the human eye response. Scientists call it Electro-Magnetic Radiation (EMR).
Electromagnetic Spectrum [3]
The fundamental properties of EMR are very important in cosmology and astronomy. Modern astronomy uses sensors that can detect the entire EMR spectrum. They use radio wave, microwave, long wave and short wave IR, visible, UV, X-ray, and even Gamma Ray, instruments. Not all of these instruments are earthbound. Since 1970 we have had over 90 telescopes placed into space. They are used to measure interstellar properties throughout the universe. An object's speed, composition, temperature, luminosity, and other factors can be determined from its EMR emission. We find that just like the other laws of physics EMR behaves the same everywhere in the universe.
3. Our Universe contains many earth-like planets scattered far apart
Finally, the third observation. Scientists believe that the number of planets that would sustain life as we know it is significant in number, but far apart. Exoplanet studies have boomed within the past 30 years. An exoplanet is any planet outside of our solar system. Within the group of exoplanets are a small subset of planets similar to earth that would sustain life as we know it. The table below contains some of the considerations that these planets would need to have. As can be seen, there are a number of interacting factors (for instance spin somewhat offsets gravity). For an exoplanet to have all “earth-like” properties is highly improbable. However, tilting the probability scale back is the staggering 1024 number of predicted exoplanets in the universe.
These are only approximate. The interaction of these properties is very complex, hard to model, and in some cases unknown.
It is now believed that there are approximately 11 billion earth-like exoplanets within the Milky Way galaxy. That is roughly 1 planet similar to earth for every 10 stars. Assuming homogeneity, our universe would contain 1022 earth-like planets. Each planet would be surrounded by a volume of 1010 cubic light years all to itself, or a distance of over 4,300 light years between each. To put things in perspective, Voyager 1 has been traveling through space for over 48 years, is the farthest traveling space probe beyond the planets and the heliosphere, is now in interstellar space (before the Oort cloud), and yet is only 1 light day away from earth! The Oort cloud extends another 2 light years. The closest star, Proxima Centauri, is over 4 light years from earth. With our current technology, traveling to the closest earth-like planet is beyond comprehension, except for using a Star Trek fictional warp drive.
3D Diagram 40 stars occupying ~108 ly3 (~928 ly apart), 2-3 exoplanets per star, 1 earth-like planet / 10 stars.
In summary, scientists conclude that our universe is one big system, is homogeneous, and isotropic. Homogeneous means that there are no special places in the universe. You are just as likely to find galaxies, or stars, or earths everywhere throughout. Isotropic means that there are no special directions to the universe. No matter in which direction you look, the universe is the same. The laws of the universe are also universal and homogenous. Finally, planets like our earth exist, 1022 of them, but they are far apart, and inaccessible with our current technology.
The Religion
The ancient Hebrew conception of the universe [4]
Religion does not unequivocally state that Jesus Christ created the universe. But by some association, I think that it can be inferred. Scriptures give more of a poetic view of the creation than a scientific one. Ancient Hebrew cosmology was more interested in this earth and man’s relationship with God than the creation of the surrounding universe. It included a large dome above the earth called the firmament. Above the firmament was where God dwelled and where the “waters above the firmament” were located. In the firmament were windows that God could open to shower rain, blessings, and cursings on man. Below the firmament were the clouds and the earth. Attached to it was the sun, moon, stars, planets, a few galaxies, and everything that could be seen in the night sky. It wasn’t until the 2nd millenia BC that the Babylonian astronomers specifically identified Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn as planets instead of just “wandering stars”. This model is poetic, shows spiritual relationships, but is not scientific. The ancient Hebrews are not giving the laws and methods by which the earth and universe came into being. Instead, they are expressing our place in the creation and our relationship with God.
Consequently, the accounts of the creation in the scriptures and other revelations (Genesis, Moses, Abraham, and the temple ceremony) are mostly earth-centric. No where in the four standard works is even used the word “universe”. Instead are found the phrases, “heavens and the earth”, “worlds without number”, “many mansions”, and “many kingdoms” relative to the creation.
Genesis 1:1 states,
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
The Hebrew word for “heavens” is שָּׁמַיִם (shamayim, Strong’s 8064) and can mean the sky aloft or the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve.
Moses 1:33 perhaps is a little more expansive,
“And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.”
However, Moses 7:30 (JST Gen 7:36) starts giving more confidence that God is talking about the entire modern universe,
“And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still;”
It probably would not be meaningful to perform a calculation as to the particles of this earth. There are somewhere around 1050 atoms. So, are there over 1056 earths? The Lord is probably talking again in poetic terms. However, “thy curtains are stretched out still” catches attention. Could Moses be talking about multiple universes? No matter how interpreted, the creations of the Savior are ginormous; infinite!
Consider D&C 76:24 relative to inhabitants of other worlds like us (“begotten sons and daughters”) throughout the universe. This tender passage not only speaks to the immense numbers of other inhabited planets like ours, but the infinite nature of the atonement of Jesus Christ:
“That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
D&C 88:36-38 specifically references Jesus Christ creating “kingdoms without number.” A kingdom in both the old and new testament was a “realm”, “country”, or “dominion”. This definition of a “kingdom” would not imply that “universes” are meant by this passage alone. However, this becomes very interesting when Jesus Christ connects these kingdoms with “laws” and the “immensity of space”.
“All kingdoms have a law given; And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom. And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.”
From this Jesus Christ tells us that; 1) there are many kingdoms that completely fill the immensity of space, and 2) each kingdom has a law that sets bounds and conditions. From the scientific discussion above on laws, it strongly suggests that universes are being described here in this passage. Previous to these verses, He named the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial kingdoms. It is not clear whether there are three groups of many kingdoms, or that there are many kingdoms, among which are three specific kinds. We know that this earth is a telestial creation. Consequently because of homogeneity, is our entire universe a telestial kingdom?
Let’s explore a closer example to home, the spirit world. It is not clear whether the home for departed spirits from this life is defined as a kingdom by the Savior, but it does seem to fit the kingdom definition in D&C 88. Consider this description given by the prophet Joseph Smith.
D&C 131:7-8, “All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter.”
It appears that the spirit kingdom, if it can be called that, has its own set of laws that give bounds and conditions to its inhabitants, but not discernible by telestial beings who abide by a different set of laws. Couple this with a statement by Parley P. Pratt, which describes the existence of another kingdom to our own universe.
“the earth and other planets of a like sphere, have their inward or spiritual spheres, as well as their outward, or temporal. The one is peopled by temporal tabernacles, and the other by spirits. A vail is drawn between the one sphere and the other, whereby all the objects in the spiritual sphere are rendered invisible to those in the temporal.” [5]
Finally, Modern prophets and apostles seem to have made the leap that seems to bridge the poetic usage of “heavens” and “kingdoms”, and unequivocally state that Jesus Christ created the universe as we know it. Here are a few selected phrases:
Joseph Smith, “Think for a moment, of the greatness of the Being who created the Universe;” [6].
David O Mckay, “...has created the universe and all therein” [7].
Howard W Hunter, “[God] was the Creator and the builder of the universe” [8].
Sterling W Sill, “Jesus lived and ruled with his Father as a part of the presidency of the universe” [9].
Marion G Romney, “God who created and is now controlling the universe.” [10].
The Conflict and Summary
So what are we to conclude from all of this? People’s beliefs seem to fall into three camps:
Parochial Believers: This group believes that the creation accounts in the scriptures are mostly to be taken literally. The heavens and the earth were created for man. The heavens consist of the sun, moon, and visible stars. The sun gave light by day and the moon gave light by night. The stars were also created. Since we are talking about luminous resolvable stars, this probably rules out other galaxies. The heavens and the earth were created in about 6,000 years (6 creative periods, or “days”, and a day is 1,000 years to the Lord, 2 Pet 3:8). Within this 6,000 year window the water and earth were separated and plants and animals in all their varieties and species were made to fill the earth. The earth was in a paradisical (terrestrial) state, or at least part of it called the “Garden of Eden”. Adam and Eve were created from earthly elements and placed into the garden with two trees (knowledge and eternal life) and the serpent, Lucifer. After eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge the bodies of Adam and Eve changed (fell) to a telestial state along with the entire earth.
This group believes that "existence" is measured for the most part by what can be seen with your eyes, “what you see is what you get”. However, there is spirit matter that goes without detection with the “natural” eyes. Spirits, both pre-earth life and post-earth life along with their habitations cannot be seen in mortality. However, their presence and realm(s) are around us and may even occupy the same space.
The beliefs of this group pretty much discount science. Current science is mostly wrong about dating techniques, evolution of species, and other human species inhabiting the earth at the same time of Adam and Eve. Perhaps the earth could have been made from existing clumps of matter that might explain older dating, including dinosaur bones, fossils, and other human-like species.
Other beliefs might include that God created only this Milky Way galaxy. Other galaxies are not His domain. The celestial dwelling place of God is near a star or is at the center of the galaxy where the brightness is “blinding”, since God is surrounded by light which radiates throughout the rest of the galaxy. Other worlds exist with children of God just like us, but there are no alien species. We are all in His image.
Inductive Believers: This group combines the facts of science and religion and tries to logically reason through what we know. They believe that scriptural accounts of the creation are mostly symbolic and set in terms of ancient Hebrew cosmology prose, which is both poetic and beautiful, and embraces both the physical and spiritual. Our universe is all part of one system and Jesus Christ was involved in the entirety of its creation. It seems to be expanding from a singular creation event (big bang?) that occurred about 13.8 billion years ago. However, when it comes to the age of things, it is import to note that time is a referental variable [11], and is not binding on God [12]. Scientific snapshots of the earth’s stages of development seem to follow the order given scripturally; forming of the planet, establishing orbit and rotation, atmosphere clearing as the earth cooled letting in light, division of land from water, and population of vegetation, fish, birds, insects, and primates. How the earth was planted and populated is debatable, but seems to have supported life for the last 3.8 billion years of its existence. Perhaps God, acting as a divine “planter” interjected life, and maybe even applied evolutionary principles within species. Adam and Eve chose to come to this earth, symbolized by partaking of the fruit of knowledge, probably amidst other humans that had inhabited the earth for the last couple hundred thousand years. They chose to give all mankind a chance to experience love, hate, faith, pain, joy, etc., and all that this mortal life has to offer. Through covenants and the power of redemption by the creator Himself, they can partake of eternal life and live again with the Father, symbolized by the tree of life.
Other reasoning might define this universe as an expansive realm that fits the D&C 88 definition of being a “kingdom”. It has laws everywhere present that fix its bounds and conditions. In its current state it is a telestial creation [13]. The 10th article of faith (“...the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory”) indicates that this is soon going to change for all or part of this system. This universe is only one of many of Jesus Christ’s “kingdoms”. Jesus Christ is the creator of many universes among which are classified as celestial, terrestrial, and telestial in nature.
Within the observable universe there are earth-like planets “without number”, perhaps 1022, and some, if not all, are populated by God’s children. Because of the vast sizes of solar systems, it is improbable that we will be visiting any cousins soon.
Abductive Believers: This group theorizes beyond the revealed word and the untested premises of science. For instance do “many kingdoms each with their own laws” agree with the multiverse theory of physics? This would indeed point to infinite creations. Parallel and multiple universes were born out of trying to account for the “spooky” (Einstein’s word, not mine) behavior of quantum matter. According to the theory an alternate universe is created whenever multiple states of matter can exist at the same time. The Danish physicist Niels Bohr said that all quantum particles don't exist in one state or the other but in all of their possible states at once. These states occupy multiple universes.
Multiverse Theory No Longer Confined to Science Fiction
Following this “out-of-the-box” thinking, why does an exoplanet have to be earth-like to support life? For instance why can’t an exoplanet with a methane atmosphere and ten times the gravity, which would be lethal to us, not support other types of life. True, life forms would be different. But, why can’t an exoskeletal, methane burning organism be composed of intelligence, spirit, and be in the image of his creator? Are two arms, two legs, two eyes, and a mouth a sacrosanct body design?
In summary the more that is revealed from God and the more that science discovers all point to the huge extent of the creation and the knowledge and power of Jesus Christ. If He can create all this, He has the power to save me. In Alma’s words, “and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” (Alma 30:44)
As to the density of inhabited earths, if God wants to protect our earth experience with sequestration and privacy (for a number of reasons), and yet allow for space exploration, then the current density seems about right to me.
(Note that several topics were touched upon in this article. These will be the topics for new articles to follow.)
[1] “Jesus Christ creating the universe”, AI Virgo Cluster NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory and MMerellinn
[2] Model of cosmology, NASA/ LAMBDA Archive / WMAP Science Team
[3] Electromagnetic Spectrum, Inductiveload, NASA, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
[4] “The ancient Hebrew conception of the universe,” from George L. Robinson, Leaders of Israel (New York: Association Press, 1913). (Public domain image.)
[5] Key to the Science of Theology, 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Steam Printing Establishment, 1874), 129–30].
[6] Joseph Smith, HC 1:, p.lxxxii - lxxxiv.
[7] David O. Mckay, Oct 1969 Cnf.
[8] Howard W Hunter, Oct 1968 Cnf.
[9] Sterling W Still, Apr 1963 Cnf.
[10] Marion G Romney, Apr 1959 Cnf.
[11] Literally thousands of Physics experiments
[12] Alma 40:8; D&C 130:4-5; Abr 3:4, 9-10; 5:13
[13] Bruce R. McConkie, “This earth is now in a telestial condition. It fell from its terrestrial state when Adam fell.”, Mormon Doctrine, p. 778.
This was so satisfying to read! Seriously! Thank you so much for taking the time to research this and gather all this information and place it in such a way for the layman to understand this easily. I feel I've been given a springboard to ponder on new ideas and consider the possibility of applying science to further strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. If it made you think...mission accomplished!
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