Elder Neal A. Maxwell addressed the religious education community regarding the relationship between the vastness of the cosmos and divine purpose. Speaking at the Twenty-sixth Annual Church Educational System Religious Educators Conference at Brigham Young University, Maxwell explored how the witnessing universe serves as evidence of a Supreme Creator.
Maxwell noted that while the Church does not align itself with specific astrophysics or endorse particular scientific theories regarding the creation of the universe, the cosmos is pulsating with divine purpose. He observed that the universe is elegant, a sentiment echoed by Carl Sagan, but for Latter-day Saints, this awe is increased by divinely revealed truths.
Addressing the scale of the universe, Maxwell referenced observations from Stephen W. Hawking, noting that Earth is a medium-sized planet orbiting an average star in an ordinary spiral galaxy, which is just one of millions of galaxies in the observable universe. Maxwell suggested that the vastness of the universe should lead to increased faith and a greater appreciation for God's governance.
He highlighted that while scientists use the scientific method to pursue answers regarding the how, when, and what of the universe, they often cannot answer why the universe exists. Maxwell stated that revelations provide vital answers to these why questions, asserting that God is mindful of all His creations and that His plans for His children predate the provision of the planet Earth.
The address concluded with a testimony that the work of God is greater than the known universe. Maxwell encouraged listeners to avoid the trap of becoming indifferent to the wonders of creation and to instead cultivate reverence and awe for the Creator.
