"Worlds Without Number..."

Last night Jared invited me to attend the opening of the movie "Pacific Rim," a movie about aliens trying to take over the earth. The sound was amazing, as it vibrated against our chests at certain points of the movie. At times I would look over at Jared and he would have this big smile on his face, as he loves a good alien movie with loud sounds. Well, he got both last night.

Upon returning home, it got me thinking about others in our universe. Where are they? At what point of development are they? Are they just starting out? Or are they far more advanced than we are at this point in time?

Either way, we know through the scriptures and the prophets, they are out there and they are God's children. They are living the Plan of Salvation as we are.

How many are there, and how long has this process been going on under our personal Heavenly Father?

We learn in Moses 7:30 - 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. To me, that is really hard to comprehend. But, none the less, it is true.

This plan and process has been going on for a really long time. How long? In a talk given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1980, he stated,  God had presided in the universe for 2,555,000,000 years. This truth was also stated by W.W. Phelps in 1844, quoting the Prophet Joseph Smith, "That eternity [the one during which Christ's doings have been known], agreeable to the records found in the catacombs of Egypt, has been going on in this system . . . almost two thousand five hundred and fifty-five millions of years." (2,555,000,000 years)

The reference to the "catacombs of Egypt" is in reference to the egyptian scrolls translated by Joseph Smith, which is our Book of Abraham.

These worlds, other earths, are all part of a precise plan, and are controlled and governed by law. It is not, however, some abstract law, some independent power, some force of Mother Nature that governs but rather the power of God Almighty. Joseph Smith the Prophet made known to the Latter-day Saints that law and light are manifestations of that divine influence we know as the light of Christ or the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

The Lord has made known through Joseph Smith that the light or glory that emanates from God and fills the immensity of space is the light of Christ, again a manifestation of God's divine nature. It is the law by which all things are governed, the light by which all things move and act and have their being. It is the means by which our Heavenly Father, who is a physical being, is omnipresent and can be in and through and round about all things (seeD&C 63:59; 88:41). Thus the revelations attest: "The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples"” (D&C 93:35). It is the power of God, called in scripture the light of Christ or the Spirit of Jesus Christ. In the words of Parley P. Pratt: "This is the true light that in some measure illuminates all men. It is, in its less refined existence, the physical light that reflects from the sun, moon, and stars [see D&C 88:6-13], and other substances, and, by reflection on the eye, makes visible the truths of the outward world." (Key to the Science of Theology, p. 25.)
To me it is just overwhelmingly amazing the greatness of God's works and His power. And yet, to Him, we are of great worth. We are God's in embryo, to someday be like Him. To receive a fullness, as He has. "...all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (D&C 84:38)

He wants to give all that he has, worlds without end.

So when times are tough and stressful, and we wonder why our Heavenly Father is allowing us to go through these tough times, we need to realize this is the process that will prepare us to cope and handle the governing of "worlds without end."

During hard times, instead of asking "why is this happening to me?" ask "what do I need to learn from this?"

For the time will come when you will have "worlds without end" in your portfolio.

Love, Dad