New Dispensation Thoughts

JESUS THE CREATOR.

Samuel the Lamanite Prophet, a few years before the coming of the Christ in the flesh, in announcing his mission to the Nephites, stated that he had come unto them that they "might know of the coming of Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the creator of all things from the beginning" (Helaman xiv:12). This doctrine of Jesus as the "Creator of all things" is not so much a thought exclusive to the New Dispensation as the peculiar phrasing of the thought is in representing the Christ as "the Father of heaven and of earth." It is to be found so many times phrased in the Book of Mormon that it may be said to be peculiar to the Nephite Scriptures, for it is repeated in that form by Mosiah, Alma, Nephi, and also by Moroni in the Book of Ether, and always in connection with the idea that Jesus is "the Creator." This peculiarity of phraseology is noticed here because it infuses into the word "Father" the idea of "Creator" and it may well mean that "Creator" and "Father" are intended to be understood as synonymous; that to be the "Creator" of a thing is to be "the Father" of the thing, and to be the "Father" of the thing is to be recognized as its "Creator"; hence "the Father of heaven and earth" is to be "Creator" of heaven and earth; and conversely to be "Creator of heaven and earth and all things from the beginning" is to be the "Father" of that heaven and earth. And this may supply a key to an understanding of many scriptures which perhaps will be considered later. Now, however, I am concerned in closing this statement from the Book of Mormon as to Jesus being the "Creator" by reference to two or three passages from the New Testament, that it may be seen that the Book of Mormon doctrine is in harmony with the Christian scriptures on the Christ being the "Creator of heaven and earth."

St. John speaking of the 'Word' that was made flesh says that "He was in the world and the world was made by Him" St. John 1:10. St. Paul says, "God . . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds" (Heb. 1:2).

And again, speaking of the Christ as the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature. St. Paul says: “By Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him. * * * And by Him all things consist” (Col. 1:15-16).

After this there can be no doubt as to the Christ being the “Creator” or the “very Father of heaven and earth,” and with that draws tremendous consequences.

B. H. ROBERTS.