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God's Work is About Becoming: By Ali Call

3rd Place Winner for Inspiring Learning Contest 2024

God’s work and glory is to bring about the immortality and eternal life of men. This is only possible by the redeeming and changing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The purpose of life is to grow, to develop, and to become. In my experience with the life sciences, I see the connection between the purpose of life and the creations of our loving Heavenly Father. This connection was made more apparent because of my studies. These studies gave me an enlarged capacity to understand the omnipotence of God.

Any invention of man immediately begins to depreciate the moment it is utilized. The value of man-made objects decreases when operated. A new car will one day need new tires. A car will not grow new tires. A new toy will one day need new batteries. It will not develop a new energy source. The swings of a new playground will one day rust. They will not revert to pristine condition as time goes on.

Unlike the creations of man, God’s designs progress. God’s work specializes in continuous improvement. The human body, the ultimate creation of God, is a prime example of enhancing as it is put into use. The mind expands as it is used; neuroplasticity occurs as new information is gathered and interpreted. Muscles of the body are repaired and strengthened when they are put under stress. Cells are programmed to fix themselves when they experience mutations and imperfections.

The glory of God is intelligence. Intelligence is ability, talent, and comprehension. These things do not grow by compounding over time like interest at a bank. They must be exercised, tested, and trained. The parable of the talents speaks of talents as a unit of money. However, we can interpret this parable in a like manner regarding talents as skills. The man who receives five talents returns to the master with an additional five. The man who receives two talents returns to the master with an additional two. The man who was trusted with a single talent did not generate an increase and had his single talent withdrawn. Similarly, an individual who practices their skills will gain further skills and an individual that does nothing with their skill will lose that which he or she possessed. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches this principle in section fifty, verse twenty-four which reads, “He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

I love the constant opportunity to embrace God’s work and creation through science and relationships. Life science helps me to see the world differently. It helps me to see people differently, as incredible creations with immense capabilities and infinite potential. Just as I observe change through experimentation and just as I observe growth through comparison over time, I know that God observes the same development in us as His children. He does not compare us to one another but rather He compares the people we have become to the people we once were. “All things denote there is a God (Alma 30:44).” Life science is added proof that God lives and rejoices in the power of change and redemption.