Nature is the glass reflecting God, as by the sea reflected is the sun, too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere

Nature is the glass reflecting God, as by the sea reflected is the sun, too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere

Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a man deeply connected to nature and the divine. He often spoke of the beauty and power of the natural world as a reflection of God's glory and presence. In his teachings, Young emphasized the idea that nature is like a mirror, reflecting the divine qualities of God in a way that is both awe-inspiring and humbling.

The quote, “Nature is the glass reflecting God, as by the sea reflected is the sun, too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere,” captures Young's belief in the transcendent nature of the natural world. Just as the sun's brilliance is too intense to be directly gazed upon, so too is God's glory too magnificent for mortal eyes to behold. Instead, we catch glimpses of God's majesty in the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

For Young, nature was not just a collection of plants and animals, but a living testament to the power and creativity of the divine. He saw God's hand in every aspect of the natural world, from the towering mountains to the smallest blade of grass. In the intricate patterns of a snowflake or the delicate petals of a flower, Young saw evidence of a loving and all-powerful Creator.

Young's reverence for nature was not just theoretical; it was deeply practical as well. He believed that by immersing oneself in the natural world, one could come closer to God and gain a deeper understanding of His will. Young often sought solace and inspiration in the wilderness, finding peace and clarity in the quiet beauty of the mountains and forests.