The majesty of the creation, simply summarized, took place that families might be, said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve.

"A council in heaven was once convened in which we participated," Elder Nelson said in the Sunday afternoon session. "There our Heavenly Father announced His divine plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide opportunity for the spirit children of God to progress toward an eternal exaltation.

"The plan required the Creation, and that, in turn, required both the Fall and the Atonement. The creation of a paradisiacal planet came from God. Mortality and death came into the world through the fall of Adam. Immortality and the possibility of eternal life were provided by the atonement of Jesus Christ."

Elder Nelson cited an ancient Egyptian text of the creation that "reaffirms scriptures that teach of the deep and compassionate love of the Father for the Son, and the Son for us — attesting that Jesus volunteered willingly to be our Savior and Redeemer."

The creation took place in physical phases or periods, he said. Period one included creation of atmospheric heavens and the physical earth culminating in the emergence of light. In period two, waters were divided beneath the surface of the earth and its atmospheric heavens, and clouds and rain were provided. In period three, plant life began. Period four included the organization of seasons and the measuring of time, and proper placement of the sun, moon, stars and earth. Added in period five were fish, fowl and every living creature, made fruitful and able to multiply. In the sixth period, the beasts of the field were created, followed by the creation of male and female "in the image of the Gods." The seventh period was a time of rest.

Elder Nelson explained that "grand as it is, planet Earth is part of something even grander — that great plan of God. . . that families may be. Scripture explains that a husband and wife 'shall be one flesh, all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation.' " (Doctrine and Covenants 49:16.)

"As part of the planned destiny of the earth and its inhabitants, here our kindred dead are also to be redeemed," he said. "Families are to be sealed together for all eternity. A welding link is to be forged between fathers and the children. In our time, a whole, complete and perfect union of all dispensations, keys and powers are to be welded together. For these sacred purposes, holy temples now dot the earth."

The creation has brought significant responsibilities to members. "Do you think the absence of one piece of granite from the face of this building would be noticed?" asked Elder Nelson. "Of course it would. So it is with each son or daughter of God. . . . so the family has need of every member. All members of a family are to be linked, sealed and 'edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.' " (Doctrine and Covenants 84:110.)

He said the creation was not an end in itself, but a means to an end.

"We are to be creators in our own right — builders of an individual faith in God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and faith in His Church. We are to build families and be sealed in holy temples. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny — glory, immortality and eternal lives. These supernal blessings can all be ours, through our faithfulness."