week 1: infinite

Hey guys! I'm so excited to be sharing the things I learn from my REL A 250 class with you. We've only had two lectures, but my head is already short circuiting from all of this thinking about eternity! I feel like my "infinity switch" has been flipped in my brain, and I love it.

The Book of Moses, a book in the Latter-day Saint scripture canon found in the Pearl of Great Price, is an inspired "translation" of parts of the Book of Genesis. It is full of incredible insights about the creation, the universe, the love of God the Father and Jesus Christ. I am inspired by my potential as a child of God, and in awe of Christ's role as creator of worlds.

In Moses chapter 1, a few things happen, among which, God shows Moses visions of this earth, and tells him of endless earths which were created under His direction by His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

"And it came to pass that Moses looked, and beheld the world upon which he was created; and Moses beheld the world and the ends thereof, and all the children of men which are, and which were created; of the same he greatly marveled and wondered" (Moses 1:8).

Moses, who previously thought that the whole world was Egypt, is astounded. Later, he receives another earth-shattering revelation, as God tells him there are more worlds than just this one.

"And by the word of my power, I have created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.

"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" (Moses 1:32-33, emphasis added).

This is nothing short of mind-blowing, to use 2012's favorite phrase. Thinking the infinite universe, infinite worlds, and the seemingly infinite inhabitants that live on them, I can't help being in absolute awe. Sometimes it's even easy to feel small, and wonder where your place is in all of it. But if there is anything that I have learned over the past two lectures, it is that God the Father and our Savior, who are Almighty, Endless, and Eternal, love us with an infinite love.

Speaking specifically of Jesus Christ, it is unfathomable that out of all the endless worlds He created under the direction of the Father, He could know me. And not just my name or my face, but everything about me. He knows my heart and my mind. He knows what I love, He knows what I am scared of, He knows my good intentions, He knows the temptations I face, He knows when I am angry, He knows when I am sad, He knows when I am stressed, He knows when I am lonely, and He knows, better than anyone, how to help me.

This gives me so much strength, to know that there is nothing that I can go through that he doesn't understand. He knows perfectly how to succor me, if I only ask the Father to grant me that peace through the Holy Spirit.

If there's anything that you take away from this reflection, let it be this: Jesus Christ loves you, unconditionally, perfectly, and infinitely. You have a creator of worlds on your side, and you have infinite potential. That is pretty amazing.

If you want to learn more, lds.org is the official website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For more about Jesus Christ, go here, and, if you're interested, you can read Moses 1 here. For more about the prophet Joseph Smith's inspired translation of the Bible, go here. For more about what Mormons believe about infinite potential, read this sermon by Joseph Smith here. Thanks for visiting!

Insights taken from / catalyzed by Prof. Tyler Griffin's 01/09/18 and 01/11/18 lectures, REL A 250, Brigham Young University.
Artwork: "Worlds Without End" by Greg Olsen.