The Groaning Creation and the Gospel's Remedy

The prevailing narrative in our age often casts humanity as the planet’s savior. We are tasked, it seems, with stemming the tide of environmental degradation, reversing climate change, and averting ecological collapse. While responsible stewardship of the earth is a sacred calling, fixating on these efforts as the ultimate solution obscures a far more profound truth: the fundamental problem isn't external; it's internal. It’s a sin problem.

A recent podcast episode from Ken Ham, “The Gospel—Our Only Hope”, eloquently articulated this perspective, reminding us that the world's groaning, its exploitation, and ultimately its mortality, stem from the consequences of sin. This isn't a mere theological point; it’s the bedrock upon which all true solutions must be built. To ignore it is to apply a bandage to a mortal wound.

Think of Isaiah’s lament: “The whole earth is as a garden of delights, but it is a garden enclosed, that none can enter in; and none can get out, save it be by the counsel of the Lord” (Isaiah 24:14). The potential for beauty and abundance is there, but it's a potential tragically marred by the effects of transgression. The earth itself cries out, as Paul observes, “for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19), a restoration that can only come through redemption.

The Brethren have repeatedly emphasized the importance of caring for the earth, and rightly so. Doctrine and Covenants 104:20 speaks of “caring for the earth,” and President Kimball taught that we have a responsibility to be good stewards. However, these directives must be understood within the larger framework of the gospel. Our efforts to care for the earth are not merely acts of environmentalism; they are acts of faith, expressions of gratitude for God’s blessings, and a preparation for the promised millennial reign.

Consider the contrast with the modern tendency to place our hope in human ingenuity and technological advancement. While these tools can certainly play a role in mitigating some earthly challenges, they cannot fundamentally address the root cause of the problem. To rely solely on them is to place our trust in the arm of flesh, a dangerous path that ultimately leads to disappointment.

The Restoration has provided us with a unique and powerful understanding of this truth. The temple ordinances, the priesthood authority, and the scriptures themselves offer a pathway to repentance and a renewed relationship with God, a relationship that is essential for the healing of both the individual and the world. The iron rod of knowledge, as spoken of in 1 Nephi 11, guides us through these perilous waters, separating the truth from the falsehoods that cloud our understanding.

Let us be reminded that the solution isn’t a new policy, a different technology, or a shift in cultural norms. The solution is the Gospel of Jesus Christ—a message of hope, redemption, and renewal. It is a message that demands not just lip service, but a radical transformation of the heart, a turning away from sin and a complete dedication to the will of the Lord.

What steps can we take, as Latter-day Saints, to ensure that our efforts to care for the earth are grounded in this gospel perspective?

Let us continue to diligently study the scriptures, seeking guidance from the prophets and apostles. Let us strive to live worthy of the blessings of the priesthood, and let us be mindful of the impact of our actions on the world around us. And above all, let us never lose sight of the fact that our hope lies not in ourselves, but in the grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.