Joining the Symphony of Creation

One of my favorite Christian artists is a Korean man by the name of Yongsung Kim. You’ve probably seen his works before, and if you haven’t, pause here and go look him up. My personal favorite painting of his is titled Symphony of Praise. The first time I saw it, I felt as though I had stepped into the first chapter of Genesis. Across the canvas, everything seemed alive: galaxies swirled in cosmic dance, the moon glowed in silver mist, oceans trembled under dawn’s light, and creatures of sea and sky turned toward the Source of all life. At the center stood Christ—near, not distant—conducting the symphony with gentle authority, His hands inviting all creation into harmony.

Every time I see this piece, I am reminded of Joseph Smith’s exclamation in Doctrine and Covenants 128:23: “Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King. And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let eternal creations declare His name forever and ever!” Yongsung Kim’s brush seemed to bring that scripture to life—an unending chorus of creation praising its Maker.

That verse reminds me that the world is not silent; creation is always singing. I remember one humid morning from my time as a missionary in Malaysia. I stepped outside just after a heavy rain. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and blooming hibiscus, their petals glistening like rubies against deep green leaves. The clouds broke open to reveal sunlight spilling over the rooftops; a small gecko darted across wet pavement, its skin patterned like a tiny mosaic. It was nothing spectacular, but in that moment I felt a quiet rush of awe. God’s fingerprints were everywhere: in the pattern on the gecko’s skin, in the rhythm of the rain, in the way the light made everything shimmer. In that moment, I wasn’t just seeing a street in Sibu—I was standing in the middle of a hymn. The scene before me was living out Doctrine and Covenants 128:23 before my eyes, every small thing lifting its voice to God.

And yet, as breathtaking as mountains, rivers, and stars may be, God’s crowning creation—His final touch on the masterpiece of life—is us. It’s you and me. We are, after all, children of the Creator–bearing not only His image but also His creative power. The prophet Russell M. Nelson said, “You are the creation of the Almighty God. You have within you the capacity to create, to build, to lift, and to inspire.”

The same God who shaped galaxies, carved mountains, and painted sunsets has placed in each of us a seed of creation. It shows up in countless forms: a child molding clay into strange, joyful shapes; a gardener coaxing green life from dry soil; a teacher awakening wonder in a child’s mind, a friend crafting words of comfort for the weary.

The apostle Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.” These are not merely hobbies or skills—they are acts of worship. When we create, we join the chorus of rivers and mountains in praise to the One who made all things.

The Psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). And yet, the song of creation is not meant to be a solo performance by nature alone—it is a symphony, and our voices are meant to join in. We can add to that music every day: when we create spaces to gather together, when we solve problems with compassion and ingenuity, when we nurture a home where peace can grow, when we offer beauty—however humble—to the world.

In doing so, we are not just appreciating God’s work; we are participating in it.

So let us create. Let our words ring with kindness, our work resonate with excellence, and our homes be filled with harmony. Let the joy of the Creator fill our hearts until we cannot help but add to the beauty, order, and goodness of the world. Let our gardens flourish like gentle melodies, our songs rise like joyful refrains, and our acts of service add rhythm and beauty to the lives of others. Let the lonely be lifted, the weary refreshed, and ordinary spaces transformed by care and intention. Each act, large or small, adds a note to the everlasting chorus.

When we offer our own voice to the song of life, we trust that the Master Conductor will weave our notes into His eternal symphony. For when we add beauty, order, or goodness to the world, we echo the first divine command: “Let there be…” And heaven itself rejoices.

Avery Palenske is ready to get back into the swing of school. She is busy cramming in last-minute adventures, back-to-school supplies shopping, and soaking up every last drop of summer while she can. But through it all, she finds joy in worshipping each week in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.