**The Supremacy of the Community.** From all this and from what has been said in preceding chapters, it is clear that the Great Plan was so devised that men may unitedly work out their salvation. Man may not stand alone. Brotherhood is the great principle on which the Church is based.
MAN AND NATURE.
CHAPTER 31.
MAN AND NATURE.
There is but one nature. All things, visible or invisible, belong to the one universe.
**The Intelligence of Nature.** Each and all of the numerous forces in the universe may be subjected to the will of man. In the universe are untold numbers of intelligent beings, whose main business it is to discover the ways of nature, and by an intelligent control of nature, to acquire greater power of advancing development. The holy spirit fills all things, and by its means the thoughts and minds of these increasing intelligent beings are everywhere felt. Intelligence permeates the universe.
The question is often asked, "Does nature, as we know it, the rocks and trees and beasts, possess intelligence of an order akin to that of man?" Who knows? That intelligence is everywhere present is beyond question. By the intelligent God, nature is directed. The forming of a crystal or the conception of a living animal is, somehow, connected with an intelligent purpose and will. This fruitful field of conjecture should be touched with care, for so little definite knowledge concerning it is in man's possession.
**A Living Earth.** It seems to be well established that the earth as a whole, is a living organism. It had a beginning; it will die or be changed, and after is purification it will be brought into greater glory as a resurrected organism. Even the symbolism of baptism was performed for the earth when the waters descended in the great flood. All this can simply mean that the earth, as well as all on it, are subject to the fundamental Plan, involving the atonement of Jesus Christ.
The earth as an organism does its work perfectly well. It is without sin. "The earth abides the law of a celestial kingdom, for it fills the measure of its creation, and transgresses not the law. Wherefore it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it." If the earth is a living organism, it seems more than likely that all things on earth possess a measure of life and intelligence.
**The Lower Animals.** The lower animals were created by the power of God. All things created by him, have first been created spiritually, then temporally, after which they pass again into the spiritual life. Animals were created spiritually before they were given material existence. If the meaning of this doctrine is that animals lived before this, they certainly may live hereafter. That which is essential in animals is probably indestructible. Our knowledge of this subject is extremely limited, and whatever is said about it, is conjectural and subject to revision.