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Earth: In the Beginning
Tracing the earth's origins from long before it came into existence, this book explores in vivid detail each important event that occurred until mortality began for Adam and Eve. The author also examines the surprising and significant effects of the Fall on the earth itself.
It was not until the original writings of Moses and Abraham were restored that modern students of the earth's creation story were in a position to begin assembling the illuminating facts that are resented in this book.
For those who enjoy contemplating both the findings of science and the revelations of God, this will be an extremely stimulating and provocative study.
Among the questions addressed and answered in this book
Where did the earth's creation take place? Who participated?
Did the creation take 6,000 years or millions of years?
How did life begin on the earth? How did it develop?
Where did the dinosaurs come from? Why were they here?
Did human beings live on the earth before the arrival of Adam and Eve?
What really happened in the Garden of Eden?
Are there evidences of God's handiwork in the rock record of the earth?
Are there answers to the unresolved questions of earth scientists in God's revealed record of the creation?
Why did the Fall have such important astronomical and geological implications for the earth?
And What we hear in church about the creation doesn't always match wat we learn in school--or does it?
It was not until the original writings of Moses and Abraham were restored that modern students of the earth's creation story were in a position to begin assembling the illuminating facts that are resented in this book.
For those who enjoy contemplating both the findings of science and the revelations of God, this will be an extremely stimulating and provocative study.
Among the questions addressed and answered in this book
Where did the earth's creation take place? Who participated?
Did the creation take 6,000 years or millions of years?
How did life begin on the earth? How did it develop?
Where did the dinosaurs come from? Why were they here?
Did human beings live on the earth before the arrival of Adam and Eve?
What really happened in the Garden of Eden?
Are there evidences of God's handiwork in the rock record of the earth?
Are there answers to the unresolved questions of earth scientists in God's revealed record of the creation?
Why did the Fall have such important astronomical and geological implications for the earth?
And What we hear in church about the creation doesn't always match wat we learn in school--or does it?
362 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
22 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 8, 2010
All I can say is, WOW. What a book. I feel as though a light has gone on and my mind has been opened up to so many things that I've never even thought about. There's so much we don't know for certain but I find peace in the scripture D&C 101:32-33: "In that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things--Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made." I now look at the earth and the whole plan of salvation with greater understanding and a greater appreciation. It's all just a marvelous and beautiful plan, simple yet intricate, almost too much for my little brain to wrap around. This book gives you a lot to ponder on and pray about, and I love how Dr. Skousen uses numberless scriptures and quotes from prophets such as Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball. Science and religion seems to be a touchy thing for so many people in our LDS community but I think that with an open mind, a strong testimony, and lots of prayer and meditation this book will most definitely strengthen your testimony even more and enlighten you to no end. It has made me feel closer to our Father in Heaven and has made me anxious to go to the temple once again and ponder. I will be listening with new ears.
My favorite book of the year, and it's only January 8!
My favorite book of the year, and it's only January 8!
January 6, 2012
He's done a lot of research and done a good job presenting the information but I can't get over how frequently he would make massive leaps in his conclusions based on very limited information. If the reader reads all the authors conclusions as informed opinions and not doctrinal fact as he too frequently presents them, than it can be an enriching read.
April 17, 2009
I have always held the belief that God and science cannot exist without the other. God cannot create something out of nothing; it may seem like nothing to us only because our vision is limited to the physical and we cannot see the spiritual. Our knowledge is only of what we have in our environment on planet earth and the surrounding solar system and what deep space telescopes and cameras can reveal. Unfortunately, for most people, their inability to accept modern revelation prevents them from further "light and knowledge" about what they are discovering about the earth. Without a belief in God and continued revelation I doubt any could consider this book with an open mind.
From the author's preface: "What has been discovered by scientific investigation should be part of our learning. What God has revealed to his prophets concerning the earth should be part of our faith. When science and revelation are both properly explored and understood, they will not contradict each other"
From that statement the author sets forth to try to explain the creation of this earth by the union of revelation and science. Revelation evidence gathered from the creation account in Genesis, and the revealed translation of Moses' writings concerning the creation story (much, of which, was ommitted by the translators of the bible), and the writings of Abraham concerning the creation (translated by Joseph Smith) and the words of other leaders of the LDS church that included prophets Brigham Young and John Taylor. Scientific evidence gathered from leading scientists of today and the 20th century from text books, journals and lectures concerning the earth and information gathered from the rock record.
The conclusions put forth are both fantastic and mind blowing. It is not the usual subject matter for a Sunday School class; it is something I would never have discussed with one of my investigators from my mission. And yet, one that shouldn't be disregarded since we all live our mortal lives on this spinning globe. However, basic understandings of faith must be learned before such information can even be considered. It is faith that permitted Moses and Abraham to be shown by God, himself, the creation of this earth.
The book is compelling because one question has constantly nagged at me since I began it and in the weeks since i finished: "How much, or little, of it do I really believe?" Based on my upbringing in the LDS church much of the book doesn't sound that far-fetched like: 1) three creation periods (spiritual, physical and the placement of modern life, including man, on the earth), 2) The earth was created in God's presence and was not created in this solar system (it did not "arrive" until after the fall of Adam), 3) The earth was created with pre-existing materials (i.e. something out of something).
Then there were things i hadn't considered/imagined or that just seemed incomprehensible: 1) I believe that God has created worlds without number populated with other mortal beings having experiences like I am but I did not imagine that every earth God creates has an Adam, Eve, Savior and Tempter. 2) The universe is expanding as even scientists have confirmed but can't explain and it is because we live in the "organized" universe within the "UNorganized" universe, 3) Humankind loves to popularize theories of one kind or other and one 15th century one was that the earth was flat. Today it's biological evolution and not just man from ape but man from simple one-celled organisms. Can the simple produce the complex? I have been undecided regarding non-human organisms but the author points out that the rock record should have transitional life forms present rather than new groups of animals being introduced at certain periods while other groups experience mass extinctions.
One plea from the author is that more and more people engage in the study of creation science to bring about clear understandings of truth about the earth and not what theories are best for pop culture. Truth seeking, whether through faith or the laboratory, must be studied, tested and endured before understanding can be reached. The author has included questions at the end of each chapter to test what was learned but he also includes a set of questions to ponder, ones that won't immediately garner a response. Those are the most fun.
One thing is certain that after reading this book: You'll never look at the earth the same way again.
From the author's preface: "What has been discovered by scientific investigation should be part of our learning. What God has revealed to his prophets concerning the earth should be part of our faith. When science and revelation are both properly explored and understood, they will not contradict each other"
From that statement the author sets forth to try to explain the creation of this earth by the union of revelation and science. Revelation evidence gathered from the creation account in Genesis, and the revealed translation of Moses' writings concerning the creation story (much, of which, was ommitted by the translators of the bible), and the writings of Abraham concerning the creation (translated by Joseph Smith) and the words of other leaders of the LDS church that included prophets Brigham Young and John Taylor. Scientific evidence gathered from leading scientists of today and the 20th century from text books, journals and lectures concerning the earth and information gathered from the rock record.
The conclusions put forth are both fantastic and mind blowing. It is not the usual subject matter for a Sunday School class; it is something I would never have discussed with one of my investigators from my mission. And yet, one that shouldn't be disregarded since we all live our mortal lives on this spinning globe. However, basic understandings of faith must be learned before such information can even be considered. It is faith that permitted Moses and Abraham to be shown by God, himself, the creation of this earth.
The book is compelling because one question has constantly nagged at me since I began it and in the weeks since i finished: "How much, or little, of it do I really believe?" Based on my upbringing in the LDS church much of the book doesn't sound that far-fetched like: 1) three creation periods (spiritual, physical and the placement of modern life, including man, on the earth), 2) The earth was created in God's presence and was not created in this solar system (it did not "arrive" until after the fall of Adam), 3) The earth was created with pre-existing materials (i.e. something out of something).
Then there were things i hadn't considered/imagined or that just seemed incomprehensible: 1) I believe that God has created worlds without number populated with other mortal beings having experiences like I am but I did not imagine that every earth God creates has an Adam, Eve, Savior and Tempter. 2) The universe is expanding as even scientists have confirmed but can't explain and it is because we live in the "organized" universe within the "UNorganized" universe, 3) Humankind loves to popularize theories of one kind or other and one 15th century one was that the earth was flat. Today it's biological evolution and not just man from ape but man from simple one-celled organisms. Can the simple produce the complex? I have been undecided regarding non-human organisms but the author points out that the rock record should have transitional life forms present rather than new groups of animals being introduced at certain periods while other groups experience mass extinctions.
One plea from the author is that more and more people engage in the study of creation science to bring about clear understandings of truth about the earth and not what theories are best for pop culture. Truth seeking, whether through faith or the laboratory, must be studied, tested and endured before understanding can be reached. The author has included questions at the end of each chapter to test what was learned but he also includes a set of questions to ponder, ones that won't immediately garner a response. Those are the most fun.
One thing is certain that after reading this book: You'll never look at the earth the same way again.
June 16, 2009
It's one of the best books that I've read about how the Earth was made and the different geological time periods. It ties science and religion without discrediting either one. It was one of those books that expanded my mind, and made me look at the earth sciences in a different light.
This book enhanced my belief in God.
This book enhanced my belief in God.
September 19, 2008
This book is really good. Answered a lot of questions I had from my geology classes and gave me a deeper appreciation for this awesome planet we live on and the creator of it.
February 22, 2013
I'm so happy I finally finished this book! It was a slow read for me, like a text book that I sometimes had to force myself to get through. But there were enough interesting things in this book to make the effort worthwhile. Some assumptions are speculative. The only real problem I have with the book is the chapter on Adam and Eve. The author doesn't seem to have a very enlightened understanding of Eve's role and contribution. He's not alone in the world on this. But I was really surprised that a learned member of the LDS Church would not be better informed regarding the modern revelation on the subject. Definitely his loss, because I'm convinced that the way men and women view Adam and Eve is the way they view themselves and their spouses, and/or the opposite sex. It makes a difference in our relationships within our families, within the LDS Church (and any church), and in the world. The book was published in 1997-- I hope the author has become better informed since then.
In general, I appreciated the many thought-provoking ideas offered about the creation of the earth. I will read the scriptures on this topic more carefully from now on. There is more than meets the eye. And I think that any time science and religion differ there is an opportunity to learn something more. Science can sometimes be misleading as has been proven many times, and religious beliefs can sometimes be based on misinterpretations. Someday it will be completely reconciled, but one doesn't have to choose between science and religion!
In general, I appreciated the many thought-provoking ideas offered about the creation of the earth. I will read the scriptures on this topic more carefully from now on. There is more than meets the eye. And I think that any time science and religion differ there is an opportunity to learn something more. Science can sometimes be misleading as has been proven many times, and religious beliefs can sometimes be based on misinterpretations. Someday it will be completely reconciled, but one doesn't have to choose between science and religion!
July 11, 2008
An exercise in minutiae.
December 7, 2021
Some deep content here on the creation of the earth. It covers the three creative 'epochs' (the earth's spiritual creation, physical creation, and modern life being brought to the earth. So much in this book that it's hard to remember everything. Some things that stood out:
-All of God's celestial earths (once having passed through their mortal journey) exist in the center of the galaxy giving off so much light that there is no such thing as night.
-Our earth fell out of its creative birthplace in the galaxy when Adam fell and will be taken back to its birthplace when it is celestialized.
-His appendix dealing with intelligence combined with element is worth the entire book.
If deep water is what you are wont to swim in (to paraphrase Joseph Smith) swim a little in this book and you won't be disappointed. The concepts presented therein have elevated my thoughts to ponder the gospel and the plan of salvation at a higher and more somber level.
-All of God's celestial earths (once having passed through their mortal journey) exist in the center of the galaxy giving off so much light that there is no such thing as night.
-Our earth fell out of its creative birthplace in the galaxy when Adam fell and will be taken back to its birthplace when it is celestialized.
-His appendix dealing with intelligence combined with element is worth the entire book.
If deep water is what you are wont to swim in (to paraphrase Joseph Smith) swim a little in this book and you won't be disappointed. The concepts presented therein have elevated my thoughts to ponder the gospel and the plan of salvation at a higher and more somber level.
January 29, 2017
This book is deep, scientific, and scriptural. It discusses the history of the earth, both physically and spiritually. I stopped reading it for awhile because I got lost in some of the geologic pontifications but I came back to it because the spiritual insights boggled my mind. I'm glad I pushed through to finish it.
September 21, 2008
Facinating view on how scientific evidence and religious prophecies come together and give us a complete picture of our own existence and that of the earth. Granted, some of the information is the authors own interpretations of scripture and the prophets words, but it got me thinking about things I didnt have a clue about before.
March 29, 2009
"Nothing but pure philosophy of one man, mingled with scripture and pure speculation and conjecture. I love it! This book is #2 on my wife's least favorite book, (something about the Earth being born from a womb?) so that is enough to make you deep doctrine freaks run right out and get this book. It makes you think, opens your mind to some possibilities and entertains you in the process."
Currently reading
October 14, 2009This is such a deep religious book. It is amazing what you will learn about our Earth and how it has it's own spirit. This is really hard to get through but very interesting when you pick up a concept
September 11, 2008
If you have an inner nerdy scientist inside you somewhere, this book is a must. It made my brain hurt at times, but I thought it was a fascinating look into the Creation!
May 8, 2009
Very interesting. I don't think that all of the ideas in the book were right, but it did a good job of welding both the science and religious aspects of the creation.
January 26, 2010
Really interesting ideas on how science and revealed religion may mesh in the earth's creation
September 28, 2012
This should be mandatory reading for any active LDS member seeking to understand how Dinosaurs and Neanderthals fit into the creation story.
March 4, 2014
Enjoyable and interactive read postulating theories regarding the mixture of science and scripture to explain the purposes and organization of Earth for us as children of a heavenly father.
July 7, 2014
Some new ideas, some old ideas confirmed. For scholarly minded LDS readers.
January 29, 2025
the most unbelievable, mind blowing, hardest book i’ve ever read.
this book took me a YEAR AND A HALF to get through. granted, i was studying the crap out of it and looking up nearly every scriptural reference he had in it, but it was well worth it.
my knowledge of the scriptures, as well as astrophysics, astronomy, and geology have all greatly increased.
i was thoroughly surprised by how much of the book made absolute sense and was able to defy much of the science we know today with other actual science, while also legitimizing scripture and the presence of a Supreme Creator.
absolutely will be reading again, hopefully faster the next time😂
this book took me a YEAR AND A HALF to get through. granted, i was studying the crap out of it and looking up nearly every scriptural reference he had in it, but it was well worth it.
my knowledge of the scriptures, as well as astrophysics, astronomy, and geology have all greatly increased.
i was thoroughly surprised by how much of the book made absolute sense and was able to defy much of the science we know today with other actual science, while also legitimizing scripture and the presence of a Supreme Creator.
absolutely will be reading again, hopefully faster the next time😂
April 19, 2019
This was a very intriguing book. A couple of his opinions I didn't agree with 100% but overall the concepts are more believable to me than the current evolution/big bang theories out there. The thing I appreciated the most is that this book does a good job of marrying many religious beliefs on the creation with scientific reasoning. The two don't have to be at odds as many people often claim. Some of it scientifically went over my head but the theories will certainly keep me thinking for some time.
April 24, 2020
This book provides a fascinating set of theories regarding how the Earth was created, how long ago it was created, whether it was a fluke of cosmic happenstance or created by an omnipotent, omniscient power, whether dinosaurs existed, and a number of other questions that have been asked by humans for thousands of years.
Using the scriptures, modern revelation, and a heavy dose of geology, geography, chemistry, astrophysics, and other hard sciences, this book offers some surprisingly well thought out and well researched ideas on these questions.
Using the scriptures, modern revelation, and a heavy dose of geology, geography, chemistry, astrophysics, and other hard sciences, this book offers some surprisingly well thought out and well researched ideas on these questions.
October 21, 2023
This may not be official church doctrine, but wow did this book give me new things to think about I hadn't considered all my life. Even if this guy is entirely off track and half baked, (and my rating should indicate that I feel otherwise), he gave me so much to think about I hadn't considered, and he does a decent job of bringing his receipts. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and even if he's grossly inaccurate, he stretched my mind in new ways, and it's rare when an author does that.
October 22, 2020
This is a vey interesting book about the creation of the earth. This book tells where the earth came from, why it is here and where it is going. What God has revealed to his prophets concerning the earth should be part of our faith. When science and revelation are both properly explored and understood they will not contradict each other.
July 3, 2019
This book traces the earth's origins from long before it came into existence with vivid detail. It talks about each important event that occurred until mortality began for Adam and Eve. Really interesting. I read it years ago and was interested in it this time as well.
December 7, 2022
Three only because of how well accompanied this was of power quotes and verses. Every word aside from these quotes was uncreative baloney sandwich, low quality claims and mind boggling boring verbiage. Importing whales from a planet factory light years away? Tough to read all throughout.
February 13, 2019
An Exceptional Read... Powerful References-
Highly Recommended-
Highly Recommended-
January 7, 2021
Nope.
February 24, 2023
Quite possibly his best book.
January 29, 2024
This book was very interesting to read. I believe the author sourced well but then added some assumptions and liberties beyond the source.
January 11, 2025
Love how Skousen connected so many dots between my geoscience studies and the scriptures!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews