"Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?...
When the morning stars sang together, and all the Sons
of God shouted for joy?"--_Job 38:4,7._
The hosts of heaven--sons and daughters of God--were assembled. The many
voices mingling, rose and fell in one great murmur like the rising and
falling of waves about to sink to rest. Then all tumult ceased, and a
perfect silence reigned.
"Listen," said one to another by his side, "Father's will is heard."
A voice thrilled the multitude. It was clear as a crystal bell, and so
distinct that every ear heard, so sweet, and so full of music that every
heart within its range beat with delight.
"And now, children of God," were the words, "ye have arrived at a point
in this stage of your development where a change must needs take place.
Living, as ye have, all this time in the presence of God, and under the
control of the agencies which here exist, ye have grown from children in
knowledge to your present condition. God is pleased with you--the most
of you, and many of you have shown yourselves to be spirits of power,
whom He will make His future rulers. Ye have been taught many of the
laws of light and life, whereby the universe is created and controlled.
True, ye have not all advanced alike, or along the same lines. Some have
delighted more in the harmonies of music, while others have studied the
beauties of God's surrounding works. Each hath found pleasure and profit
in something; but there is one line of knowledge that is closed to you
all. In your present spiritual state, ye have not come in contact with
the grosser materials of existence. Your experiences have been wholly
within the compass of spiritual life, and there is a whole world of
matter, about which ye know nothing. All things have their opposites. Ye
have partly a conception of good and evil, but the many branches into
which these two principles sub-divide, cannot be understood by you.
Again, ye all have had the hope given you that at some time ye would
have the opportunity to become like unto your parents, even to attain to
a body of flesh and bones, a tabernacle with which ye may pass on to
perfection, and inherit that which God inherits. If, then, ye ever
become creators and rulers, ye must first become acquainted with the
existence of properties, laws, and organization of matter other than
that which surround you in this estate.
"To be over all things, ye must have passed through all things, and have
had experience with them. It is now the Father's pleasure to grant you
this. Ye who continue steadfast, shall be added upon, and be permitted
to enter the second estate; and if ye abide in that, ye shall be further
increased and enlarged and be worthy of the third estate, where glory
shall be added upon your heads forever and ever.
"Even now, out in space, rolls another world--with no definite form, and
void; but God's Spirit is there, moving upon it, and organizing the
elements. In time, it will be a fit abode for you."
The voice ceased. Majesty stood looking out upon the silent multitude.
Then glad hearts could contain no more, and the children of God gave a
great shout of joy. Songs of praise and gladness came from the mighty
throng, and its music echoed through the realms of heaven!
Then silence fell once more. The Voice was heard again:
"Now, how, and upon what principles will your salvation, exaltation, and
eternal glory be brought about? It has been decided in the councils of
eternity, and I will tell you.
"When the earth is prepared, two will be sent to begin the work of
begetting bodies for you. It needs be that a law be given these first
parents. This law will be broken, thus bringing sin into the new world.
Transgression is followed by punishment; and thus ye, when ye are born
into the world, will come in contact with misery, pain, suffering, and
death. Ye will have a field for the exercise of justice and mercy, love
and hatred. Ye will suffer, but your suffering will be the furnace
through which ye will be tested. Ye will die, and your bodies will
return to the earth again. Surrounded by earthly influences, ye will
sin. Then, how can ye return to the Father's presence, and regain your
tabernacles? Hear the plan:
"One must be sent to the earth with power over death. He will be the
Son, the only begotten in the flesh. He must be sinless, yet bear the
sins of the world. Being slain, He will satisfy the eternal law of
justice. He will go before and bring to pass the resurrection from the
dead. He will give unto you another law, obeying which, will free you
from your personal sins, and set you again on the way of eternal life.
Thus will your agency still be yours, that ye may act in all things as
ye will."
* * * * *
A faint murmur ran through the assembly.