God’s First, and Most Important Questions, to Mankind

“Sunday Sermon” 

Genesis Account: “Where art Thou?”

In the Genesis account, after Adam and Eve transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit, God asked them the all-important question. “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:9) In other words, “Where are you?”

 God was not asking Adam and Eve where they were located physically.  He already knew that. They were hiding “amongst the trees of the garden.” (Gen. 3:8)

 What God was asking was where they were spiritually. Where were they in relationship to God? Did their “confidence wax strong in the presence of God?” (D&C 121:45) Or, did they wish they could “become extinct,” “that [they] might not be brought to stand in the presence of God?” (Al 36:15)

In many ways, Adam and Eve represent each of us. We should always “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” (1 Ne. 19:23) Therefore, we should regularly ask ourselves the same question. “Where art thou?” In other words:

• “Where am I?”
• “Where do I stand spiritually?”
• “Where am I in my relationship to God?” 
• “Can I stand with confidence in His presence, or am I hiding?” 

This self-evaluation is vital to our spiritual progress. This is God’s first question to his children. It should also be our first, and most important, question.

Book of Moses Account: “Where goest thou?”

Interestingly, in the Book of Moses account, God asks Adam and Eve the second, all-important, question. “Where goest thou?” (Moses 4:15) In other words, “Where are you going?”

 Likewise, we should ask ourselves “Where goest thou?” In other words:

• “Where am I going?”
• “Am I headed back to my Heavenly Father, or am I headed somewhere else.”
• “Am I traveling on the covenant path, or am I wandering off somewhere?”
• “Am I pressing forward to the tree of life while holding onto the iron rod?”

This constant self-evaluation is essential to our spiritual progress. 

In conclusion, we should regularly ask ourselves, God’s first, and most important questions:
“Where am I?
“Where am I going?”

(www.londonedition.net)