Of the Creation Hymn

The great saga of Genesis is called the Creation Hymn, beautiful in its imagery and rhythm. How fascinating to discover that imagery and those rhythms in other passages of scripture that reference the creation story. Thus, Jacob 4. “For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word …” Today, however, I realized that Alma’s great sermon in Alma 5 is such an hymn – but of re-birth, re-creation. It uses the same words as Genesis to discuss the spiritual re-creation of mankind – and I am sure the decision was deliberate. “Have you received his image in your countenance …” It is in His image that we were created. His light shone upon the waters of creation, and it shines again in the reborn soul. “… Have your deeds been deeds of righteousness upon the face of the earth?” Alma asks. That expression, “face of the earth,” Hebrew “penye eretz,” first appears in the Creation Hymn.