"But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you."—Book of Moses 1:35.

We come now to consider the fruits of this tree of life, the Gospel, as relates to nature, the environment of man. While we may view with wonder and with awe the marvelous works of God about us in the heavens, sill our interests, as ourselves, are confined to the earth upon which we dwell.

It is true, the Lord has given us some notion of the vastness of His works, of Kolob, "the first creation, nearest the celestial or residence of God; first in government, last pertaining to the measurement of time," whose day "is equal to a thousand years, according to the measurement of this earth;"^[31] of "Oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation, holding the key of power also, pertaining to other planets;"^[32] and has revealed to us that "were it possible that men could number the particles of the earth, yea, and millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of His creations;"^[33] yet a knowledge of His dominions, except in this general way, concerning any other of His creations than this earth, is withheld from us.

We have, however, a number of revealed truths concerning the earth that would add greatly to the interest as well as to the enlightenment of the scientific world, if they were accepted. If, for instance, it had been known to and received by science, that "this earth was organized or formed out of other planets, which were broken up and remodeled and made into the one on which we live,"^[34] how many vain theories and how much useless work would have been saved!

How many times the earth, or portions of it in another planet, was peopled by the Lord before Adam was placed upon it, we are not informed; but from the fact that he was commanded to replenish, or re-fill it, we may infer that it had, in some form, been inhabited before our first parents came here. But of this no account is given us by revelation.

How fully and how wisely the earth was prepared before being sent on its present voyage, with provisions, with material for clothing, with fuel, and with all the necessities and comforts of life, is matter of common knowledge.

The Lord has given us the name by which this part of His dominion is known to Him, as "Idumea,"^[35] and, as to the order to which it belongs among His diversified creations, we have a wonderful revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants, as follows:

"The poor and meek of the earth shall inherit it. Therefore it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father; that bodies of the celestial kingdom may possess it for ever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.

"And, again, verify I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation and transgresseth not the law, wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it."^[36]

The following passage respecting the final condition of the earth, gives further light upon this beautiful thought. The Prophet Joseph Smith says:

"This earth, in its sanctified, immortal state, will be made like unto crystal, and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ's."^[37]

As to the final condition of the animals and plants of the earth, the Lord explains:

"For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fullness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air and the fishes of the sea; and not one hair; neither mote shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand."^[38]

From all of which, and from other like revelations, too numerous to mention here, we gather:

That while we may speculate upon the multitude of the Lord's creations, we have, except from our observations of the heavens about us, and the meager information vouchsafed us by revelation, no detailed account of any planet but of the earth on which we dwell.

That the earth is on the way to eternal, celestial glory, where it will shine of its own light, in which condition it will be inhabited by celestial beings, not only by mankind, but by the elect of the animal and vegetable kingdoms as well.