“Ye Are Even as Much as the Dust of the Earth”

(Jacob 2:21; Alma 26:12; Moses 1:10; 6:59; refer in this text to Hel. 12:7; Conference Report, Apr. 1973, pp. 177-178; An Approach to the Book of Mormon, 1957 edition, Nibley, p. 264)

“[Regarding man] science tells us that without the spirit about all that is left is a quantity of water, fat enough to make about seven bars of soap, sulphur enough to rid one dog of fleas, iron enough for a large nail, magnesium for one dose, lime enough to whitewash a chicken coop, phosphorous sufficient to tip some 2200 matches, potassium enough to explode a toy cannon, sugar to fill a shaker, and little more. But with a spirit directing mental processes and physical maneuvers man is ‘little lower than the angels’ and is ‘crowned … with glory and honour’ (Psalm 8:5). And yet man in his vanity and impudence has taken unto himself the glory of all his accomplishments, set himself up as God and, as has been said, has even ‘created God in his (man’s) own image.’ It is as if the Boulder Dam should say: ‘I am powerful. I hold back great quantities of water. Parched land becomes fertile and productive because of me. There were no builders. I am the great cause and responsible to no power.’” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 27)

“The animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms abide the law of their Creator; the whole earth and all things pertaining to it, except man, abide the law of their creation… . We tame the animals and make them do our drudgery and administer to our wants in many ways, yet man alone is not tamed—he is not subject to his Great Creator. Our ignorant animals are faithful to us, and will do our bidding as long as they have any strength; yet man who is the offspring of the Gods, will not become subject to the most reasonable and self-exalting principles. How often have we witnessed a faithful animal conveying his master home so drunk that he could not see his way or sit up; yet his faithful animal will plod through mud, shun stumps, trees, and bad places, and land him safely at home.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 9:246-247)