That point being, as I think about it, it accumulates in my mind as an extravagance of minutiae.  The sheer fringe and network of detail assumes primary importance. That there are so many details seems to be the most important and visible fact about the creation 

(Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pg. 130).

This is the truth of the pervading intricacy of the world’s detail: the creation is not a study, a roughed-in sketch; it is supremely, meticulously created, created abundantly, extravagantly, and in fine 

(Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pg. 136).

The creator creates.  He creates everything and anything. 

The creator loves pizzazz 

(Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pgs. 138, 139).

The universe was not made in jest but in solemn incomprehensible earnest (Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pg. 275).

 

 

This is an excellent book. Each chapter is written by a different gospel scholar.  The premise of the book is that the editor wanted to have deep discussions with her children about subjects that come up in the church that often create division or questions, so she asked these gospel scholars to opine and explain on each subject. I learned something from each chapter. Here is a sampling:

If the twenty-three-year-old Prophet had engaged in any kind of mind control with the witnesses—each of whom was a rational, sensible individual—any one of them could have recognized what took place; and when questioned about their experience, these men likely would have mentioned that Joseph Smith employed some type of manipulation, especially those who later became disillusioned with Mormonism (pg. 54). However, in spite of the personal objections they may have had toward Joseph Smith or the Church following their separation from religious charlatan or deceiver, nor did they recant or revoke their testimony regarding the Book of Mormon or declare the sacred record to be a sham (pg. 55).
(Chapter 5: The Testimony of the Book of Mormon Witnesses by Alexander L. Baugh)

The Church does not practice equality in the same way schools, workplaces, and government organizations do. In the Lord’s kingdom, scriptures and Apostles teach that all factors do not need to be the same in order for two things, or two people, to be considered of equal worth or value in the Lord’s eyes (pg. 195).
(Chapter 15: Latter-day Saint Women in the Twenty-first Century by Neylan McBaine)

So while the earth and the universe are indeed magnificent beyond description, let’s not think that we can prove God with technical reasoning. Faith is still necessary (pg. 235).
(Chapter 17: Science and Religion: Friends or Foes? By David Bailey)

 I attended an art show titled "Certain Women" in Provo yesterday.  Here were a few of my favorite pieces.

"Careful Mending of the World" by Paige Anderson (two pictures above) 

"I love to think of creation, in its many forms as repeated acts of healing repair.  It is a hopeful thought that though my efforts are meager when compared to the magnitude of the suffering I see, somehow, someway, my small acts of creation, are able to reverberate outward--contributing to a greater wholeness."

 

 

"Measure of Life" by Annette Everett (above).

"The woman who stands with the veil lifted is a protector and a guide.  A guardian angel? An ancestor?"

 

 

"Be" by Morgan Casey (above).

Measure me?

My Mother Eve.

The Mother of Humanity...

Her power passed down generationally.

Divinely anointed,

Irreplaceably appointed,

I am Her posterity.

How can one attempt to measure femininity?

Life is created in my BODY.

GENERATIONS are held in my BELLY.

WORLDS of before and after, my eyes SEE.

I am the portal,

the gatekeeper,

the in between.

Can mere words be used to define all of feminine divinity?

I am

Immeasurably

Incomprehensibly

Eternally

EVERYTHING

I need 

To BE.

 

"Lift Up Your Voice and With Us Sing" by Lisa DeLong (two pictures above).

"We now are separated from our divine home, yet we intuit that there is more than the hazy shadows we see in a darkened glass. We see patterns of the heavens above echoed in the earth below. We are hungry to know, to remember more."

This book was recommended by a friend. I was warned that the book was "deep" and "kind of out there," and some of it was, but Dr. Hilton helped me to appreciate the vastness of God's creations and the plan and order in which He created all things.

Inside our wheel-shaped galaxy there exists between 100 and 200 billion stars.  This figure is an estimate, for no astronomer has counted them or ever seen them all.  Many stand in the line of sight of a closer star, and many more are hidden behind veils of dust.  Even if we could see them all, it would take 4,500 years to count them at a rate of one per second, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  This number is only the stars, how many more worlds and moons are there? Well could the number of Heavenly Father’s creations be described as “innumerable to man” (pgs. 40, 41).

The appreciation of our God and His Christ is greatly increased as we consider the vastness of His creations and the time it took Them to do it (pg. 43).

 

A few thoughts:

There is not a lot of color in the landscape this time of year. I am missing the color of flowers and the green grass, but there have been vibrant colors in the sky, both in the mornings and in the evenings. There is something so breathtaking and beautiful about colors in the sky.

We attended a funeral today for Joseph Young and it was an outstanding and uplifting service.  Matthew and I both feel inspired to be better because of our association with Joe. He had a set of core values that his life was fashioned around, and he stayed true to those values. We are blessed to have known him.

A friend told me this week: "True happiness is when your children grow up to be good people." I've thought about that and I think I would add...

"True happiness is when you see one of your children reach out to a sibling, or to someone outside of their family." 

"True happiness is coming to know God and Jesus Christ."

"True happiness is recognizing the effects of the Atonement, and that we have hope through Jesus Christ."

"True happiness is attending the temple and feeling that your spiritual armor has been strengthened, and your vision is clearer."

"True happiness is having a friend text you every week. True happiness is knowing someone cares."

"True happiness is a heater that works in frigid weather."

"True happiness is warm cinnamon milk."

"True happiness is forgiving."

"True happiness is reaching out and lifting a burden."

I liked discussing a book with friends this week. The qualities displayed by the characters in the book are admirable, and I am going to work on being more courageous and resilient.

I spoke with a friend this week who has battled cancer this past year and has undergone two surgeries which have left her weakened and fragile, and yet she expressed faith, optimism and gratitude. I am learning from her about enduring well.

Will I ever get through the boxes filled with family history items? I have been working on going through boxes from my parent's home for months! This is me talking to myself and reassuring myself--"Yes you will get through them. It will take a lot more time, but you will eventually deal with all of the pictures, letters, and mementos. Enjoy the journey Janine.  Think of all that you are learning and feeling as you read, sort, write, and scan. Something is changing in you and your heart is turning towards your ancestors.  Cherish this time of life that you have to spend doing this. Keep going."

 

Last month I heard this piece titled "Oh, Watch the Stars," (arranged by Mack Wilberg) performed at a Christmas concert. Though it is not a Christmas piece, the choir sang it beautifully and the reference to "stars," made it appropriate. This week we are studying the creation of the world in Come, Follow Me. I look with wonder and awe upon the creations of the world, including the stars, clouds, and moon, which are referenced in this piece.

"O watch it all, the great and small, creation all, see how it glows."

I cannot adequately describe what I see early in the mornings.  The light of the sun slowly shows itself above the snowy mountains and the sky is filled with a mixture of pinks and yellows and blues.  I love it!

I agree with the words of Chakell Wardleigh Herbert:

I’m grateful for the spiritual places we can go to get away from the busyness of life, like the temple or even a quiet room in our homes. I have also found that being in nature and its peacefulness has helped me connect with Heavenly Father.

Nature acts as a sort of personal sacred space for me, and I learn so many spiritual truths from spending time in it. Even the simplicity of changing seasons reminds me that through a dark, bitterly cold season, flowers will always bloom again. And the fact that an oyster can create a pearl out of a tiny grain of sand shows me how much potential I have as well.

There is something about being in the quiet outdoors that grounds me and helps me remember the significance of my life (and all life) on the earth. Nature reminds me that if God had time to craft that single blade of grass beneath my feet, the details of a butterfly’s wings, and the tiny gnats buzzing around my head, then He must have taken extra care to thoughtfully create me and each of His children too. Witnessing the beauty of the natural earth and all its intricate details is a great reminder of who I truly am.

I believe that spending time outdoors creates a powerful opportunity for us to turn our hearts to Heavenly Father and to hear Him. I know it has been for me.

When I take time to set aside the things of the world and appreciate His creations, I find it easier to feel His Spirit and the strength, guidance, and peace He offers. That’s when I can truly see His hand in the beautiful, intricate details in my life and in all things.

(March 2021 Liahona, "How Nature Helps Me Connect with the Creator")