Foundations of the Earth, 58″x46″, acrylic on collage

In the premortal realm, we lived in the presence of God, wrapped in love and light. We understood the Plan of Salvation conceptually, and with the full support of a heavenly society, we had every confidence that whatever trials lay ahead, God and our loved ones would lift and support us. We rejoiced together as God laid the foundations of the earth.

Now that we are here, those trials can feel overwhelming. Help can seem distant, delayed—or absent altogether.

This is powerfully illustrated in the story of Job. At the lowest point in his life—when his property, posterity, and health had all been stripped away—his friends came to comfort him, only to deepen his sorrow with misguided words. Then, the Lord speaks—not to chastise Job, but to reframe his vision:

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? … When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
(Job 38:4,7)

Rather than rebuke Job for his suffering, the Lord invites him to remember. To lift his gaze from the ashes of the present and cast his thoughts to the majesty of the Creation. To view his pain through the lens of eternity. To Think Celestial.

The Lord knew the blessings that awaited Job on the other side of his trial. And so He gave him reason to hope—and keep moving forward toward better days.