In the Beginning With the Father

D&C 93:23 “Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;”

This verse, spoken by the Savior in Doctrine and Covenants 93, a revelation focused on light, truth, glory, and divine sonship, declares that we existed as spirits in the premortal realm alongside the Father. It directly parallels the Savior’s own statement in D&C 93:21 (“I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn”), placing humanity within the same spiritual “beginning” of God’s work for this creation. The phrase “in the beginning with the Father” refers to our organized spirit existence and preparation in the first estate, not co-eternality with the Father in the fullest unoriginated sense, but our creation as His spirit children in the initial spiritual phase of His divine plan. This upholds creation ex nihilo as God sovereignly brings spirits into existence by His power while establishing our literal offspring relationship and premortal preparation.

Spiritual Preparation Precedes Natural Existence

• Genesis 2:5 (“And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth…”): In the Genesis creation account, immediately after the overview of the six days, this verse emphasizes that God prepared the elements and life forms conceptually and spiritually before their physical placement on the earth. It sets the stage for the detailed account of organization and formation. This expands our understanding of the preexistent state by showing that all created things, including humanity, had a prior spiritual preparation and ordered existence before physical embodiment. It portrays the premortal realm as a deliberate preparatory sphere under God’s direction. Our relationship with God is described as one of orderly dependence: He is the sovereign Planner and Organizer who prepares all things in advance for our benefit and progression.

• Abraham 5:5 (parallel to Genesis 2:5): In the Pearl of Great Price’s expanded creation record given to Abraham, this verse similarly notes the pre-earth preparation of plants and herbs, reinforcing that all things followed a divine order of spiritual readiness before physical manifestation. This deepens the preexistent picture by revealing an organized spiritual blueprint for creation, implying our spirits participated in or were prepared within that same ordered framework. The relationship is one of purposeful design, God as the divine Architect who includes us in His preparatory work.

• Moses 3:5 (“For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth”): Revealed to Joseph Smith as part of the Moses account, this verse explicitly teaches the two-phase creation pattern, spiritual first, then natural, applying it to “all things,” including humanity. It directly supports “in the beginning” as the spiritual creation phase with the Father. It significantly expands preexistence by confirming a distinct spiritual creation for everything, including human spirits, as the foundational “beginning” phase. Our relationship is that of created beings to their Creator: God actively brings us into spiritual existence first, establishing dependency and divine order.

• D&C 29:32 (“First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work…”): In a revelation on the last days, signs of the times, and the plan of salvation, the Lord defines the spiritual phase as “the beginning of my work.” This places our spirit existence and preparation squarely in that inaugural divine labor. This clarifies the preexistent state as the deliberate starting point of God’s redemptive work, framing premortal life as the inaugural stage of eternal progression. The relationship is portrayed as participatory children within the Father’s overarching plan. He initiates the work, and we begin our journey in it.

• D&C 77:2 (“…the temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created”): Part of an inspired interpretation of the Book of Revelation, this verse explains that earthly forms mirror their prior spiritual counterparts, underscoring the reality and preparatory nature of the spirit world. It expands understanding by portraying premortal spirits as having tangible form and identity that earthly bodies later reflect. Our relationship with God is one of precise likeness and intentional design. He creates spiritual originals that we embody temporally.

  
  

God Creates, Forms, and Gives Spirits; We Are His Offspring

• Moses 6:36 (“…beheld the spirits that God had created; and they existed before the world was made”): In the vision given to Enoch, this statement occurs while Enoch sees the spiritual precursors to mortality, affirming that God actively created the spirits who would inhabit the world. This strengthens the preexistent view by showing multitudes of created spirits already existing and observable before mortality. The relationship is Creator to created: God is the active Maker of our spirits, and we are the products of His direct creative power.

• Moses 6:51 (“I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh”): Also in Enoch’s record, the Lord directly tells Moses that He created mankind in a premortal state prior to physical embodiment, linking world creation with spirit creation. It expands preexistence by tying human spirit creation directly to the formation of the world itself. Our relationship is intimate and personal. God as Maker who prepares men (us) in advance of fleshly life.

• Zechariah 12:1 (“…which formeth the spirit of man within him”): In a prophetic burden concerning Israel’s future deliverance, Zechariah describes God as the active Former of the human spirit, portraying creation of spirit as an intimate, ongoing divine act. This highlights the preexistent state as one of intentional formation, where each spirit is individually shaped by God. The relationship is that of Potter to clay or Father to child. God intimately forms our spirits within us (even premortally).

• Isaiah 42:5 (“Thus saith God the Lord… he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein”): In a servant song introducing the Messiah, God declares His sovereign role as Creator and Sustainer, giving spirit to all who live, emphasizing dependency upon the divine Giver. It portrays preexistence as the initial giving of spirit life by God. Our relationship is Giver to receiver: every spirit originates as a gift from God, underscoring complete dependence and gratitude.

• Ecclesiastes 12:7 (“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it”): At the close of Solomon’s meditation on mortality and vanity, this verse describes death as a reversal of creation: the body returns to dust and the spirit returns to its divine Source, highlighting that God is the Giver and ultimate Owner of every spirit. This frames the preexistent state within a cycle of divine giving and receiving, implying spirits originate from God and naturally return to Him. The relationship is Owner/Giver to owned/given. God as the Source to whom spirits ultimately belong and return.

• Psalm 82:6 (“Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High”): In a psalm where God judges unjust earthly rulers, this verse reminds them (and by extension all humanity) of their high potential and relationship as children of the Most High, a statement later quoted by the Savior in John 10:34. It elevates the preexistent state by affirming divine potential and identity as children even before mortality. Our relationship is familial and royal: literal children of the Most High with godly potential.

• Romans 8:16 (“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”): In Paul’s teaching on adoption and inheritance in the Epistle to the Romans, the Holy Ghost confirms our spirit-level identity as God’s children, linking present testimony to premortal sonship. This connects our current spiritual witness directly to premortal identity as children. The relationship is one of confirmed sonship. God as Father, with the Holy Ghost bearing ongoing testimony.

• Hosea 1:10 (“…it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God”): In a prophecy of Israel’s restoration after judgment, God promises a renewed identity where His people are openly recognized as sons of the living God. It expands preexistence by pointing to an inherent sonship that will be publicly acknowledged. Our relationship is living, dynamic sonship to the living God.

• Acts 17:29 (“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God…”): In Paul’s Areopagus sermon in Athens, he uses this truth to argue against idol worship, grounding human dignity and accountability in our created offspring relationship to God. This underscores preexistent dignity as literal offspring. The relationship is one of direct lineage and accountability. Offspring who should not reduce God to idols.

• Hebrews 12:9 (“…shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”): In a chapter contrasting earthly fathers with divine discipline, the author urges submission to the Father of spirits as the path to spiritual life and maturity. It frames the preexistent state under the authority of the Father of spirits. Our relationship is submissive and disciplinary. He is the Father whose guidance brings life.

• Numbers 16:22 (“O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh…”): During Korah’s rebellion, Moses appeals to God using this title, acknowledging His ownership and authority over every human spirit. This portrays all spirits (including premortal) as under God’s universal ownership. The relationship is sovereign Owner to owned spirits.

• Job 32:8 (“But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding”): In Elihu’s speech in the Book of Job, this verse distinguishes the human spirit as the channel through which God imparts wisdom and understanding. It shows the preexistent spirit as a receptive vessel for divine inspiration. Our relationship is inspirational and instructional. God as the Almighty who enlightens our spirits.

  
  

Eternal Core and Organized Premortal Assembly

• D&C 93:29 (“Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be”): In the same revelation as verse 23, this declares the uncreated nature of core intelligence/light of truth, providing the eternal foundation upon which spirit creation and organization occur. This establishes the eternal core of our preexistent identity while distinguishing it from the created spirit organization. The relationship remains one of dependence: God organizes and illuminates this core.

• Abraham 3:18 (“…these two spirits… have no beginning; they existed before, they shall have no end… for they are gnolaum, or eternal”): In Abraham’s vision of premortal spirits and heavenly bodies, the Lord explains varying degrees of intelligence while affirming the eternal nature of the core spirit element. It highlights varying capacities in the preexistent state rooted in eternal intelligence. Our relationship is hierarchical and tutelary. God as the one who observes and organizes differing spirits.

• Abraham 3:23 (“…he stood among those that were spirits, and he said: These will I make my rulers”): During the premortal council, Abraham sees God standing among the organized spirits, selecting and foreordaining them, illustrating our active presence “with the Father” in that beginning. This vividly depicts interactive premortal assembly and foreordination. The relationship is participatory and trusting. God stands among us as Leader and Assignor of roles.

• D&C 131:7 (“All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure…”) : In teachings on celestial marriage and resurrection, Joseph Smith reveals that spirits consist of refined matter, making premortal existence tangible and real rather than abstract. It makes the preexistent state concrete and material in nature. Our relationship is with a tangible, organized divine reality created by God.

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Additional Scriptures: God Declaring Himself as Our Creator

The following verses explicitly portray God (or Christ as Creator) declaring or being declared as the One who made us, formed us, or created us. They reinforce the theme of divine creation while harmonizing with the premortal framework above. Each expands our understanding of God as the literal creator of our spirits.

Bible

• Isaiah 43:1: “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” (God directly addresses His people as created and formed by Him.) This expands our understanding of God as the literal creator of our spirit by showing that He personally creates and forms individuals, claims ownership (“thou art mine”), and links creation directly to redemption and intimate relationship. It portrays God as a personal, possessive Creator who knows and names His spirit children.

• Isaiah 43:7: “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” This deepens the view of God as spirit creator by declaring that each person is created and formed specifically for His glory, emphasizing purposeful, intentional spiritual creation. It highlights our spirits as deliberate works of God, designed to reflect His glory.

• Isaiah 43:15: “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.” This expands understanding by identifying God explicitly as “the creator” of His covenant people, tying His creative role to kingship and holiness. It presents God as sovereign Creator-King over our spirits.

• Isaiah 45:12: “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” This reinforces God as the literal hands-on creator of man (including spirits), using direct personal action (“my hands”). It expands the scope to show comprehensive creative power over humanity’s spiritual origins.

• Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” (God claims personal formation.) This expands pre-mortal creation understanding by revealing God’s personal formation and foreknowledge of individuals long before physical birth, pointing to spirit-level creation and sanctification. God is depicted as the intimate Former who knows and prepares spirits beforehand.

• Malachi 2:10: “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?” This links creation directly to fatherhood, expanding the concept of God as literal creator of spirits while uniting it with familial relationship. It portrays one God as the common Creator-Father of all spirits.

  
  

Book of Mormon

• Mosiah 4:21: “And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are…” (King Benjamin directly teaches the people of their dependence on their Creator.) This expands understanding by teaching total dependence on God as our Creator, applying it to daily life and identity. It shows God as the ongoing sustainer and literal maker of our spirits, upon whom we rely completely.

• Mosiah 4:2: “…Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things…” This identifies Christ as creator of “all things,” directly including human spirits, expanding the premortal role of the Savior as co-creator with the Father. It affirms divine teamwork in spirit creation.

• 1 Nephi 17:36: “Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.” This explicitly states that the Lord created His children (spirits) for the purpose of inhabiting the earth, expanding the teleological view of spirit creation. God creates spirits with mortal purpose and inheritance in mind.

• 2 Nephi 2:14: “And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are…” This broadens the doctrine by affirming God created absolutely all things, including spirits, for our learning and profit. It establishes God as the universal literal Creator.

  
  

Doctrine and Covenants

• D&C 93:10: “The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.” (Referring to Christ.) This expands understanding by declaring that men (including their spirits) were made by, through, and of Christ, linking creation to His divine role. It shows collaborative creation of spirits between Father and Son.

• D&C 14:9: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth…” This personal declaration by Christ identifies Him as creator, reinforcing His direct involvement in spirit creation. It personalizes God the Son as our literal spiritual Creator.

• D&C 38:3: “I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.” This expands the concept by showing God’s spoken word as the mechanism of creation, including spirits (“all things came by me”). It portrays creation as an act of divine command and power.

• D&C 45:1: “Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof…” This calls attention to God as the one who made the heavens and their hosts (including spirit hosts), expanding premortal creation to cosmic scale. God is the foundational Maker of all spirit armies and beings.

  
  

Lectures on Faith 

The Lectures on Faith (prepared under Joseph Smith’s direction) emphasize God as the eternal Creator and upholder of all things. Lecture 2 stresses that faith centers in God as “the creator and upholder of all things,” the same God before and after the world’s creation. It teaches that a correct idea of God’s character includes recognizing Him as the supreme Governor and independent Being who created all things, without whom faith for salvation cannot be exercised. This aligns with the scriptural portrayal of God as our Maker while affirming His unchanging nature as Creator. This expands our understanding by grounding correct faith in the knowledge of God as literal Creator of spirits, portraying Him as independent, supreme, and essential to salvation. It frames spirit creation as central to developing saving faith in our divine Maker.

These verses together paint a unified picture: God sovereignly creates and organizes spirits first (the “beginning”), forms and gives them (Zech. 12:1; Isa. 42:5; Eccl. 12:7), calls us His literal children and offspring (Ps. 82:6; Acts 17:29; etc.), and prepares us in His presence before mortality. Our core intelligence is eternal, but our spirit identity and premortal fellowship occurred through divine creation in that initial spiritual phase. This framework is consistent with creation ex nihilo of all things outside God’s own nature.

Hebrew and Biblical Connections

The Hebrew term bereshit (“In the beginning,” Genesis 1:1) marks the initiation of God’s ordered creative acts for this universe. Traditional biblical interpretation upholds God creating all things visible and invisible by His sovereign will. Rabbinical thought and verses like Zechariah 12:1 (“formeth the spirit”) and Ecclesiastes 12:7 reinforce that the spirit of man is formed by and returns to its divine Giver. This supports “in the beginning with the Father” as our inclusion in the spiritual order of creation.

Conclusion

In summary, D&C 93:23 testifies that we, as spirits of truth, were with the Father in the beginning of His work, created spiritually first (Moses 3:5; D&C 29:32), formed by Him (Zech. 12:1; Isa. 42:5), given life by Him (Eccl. 12:7), and named His literal offspring and children (Ps. 82:6; Acts 17:29; Hosea 1:10; Heb. 12:9). This does not grant co-eternality with the Father but beautifully establishes our divine heritage, premortal preparation, and hope of returning to “God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). These truths, woven throughout the standard works, deepen identity, purpose, and reverence for the Father of spirits.