13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
This verse describes the joy of all God’s creations when this
gathering (discussed in verse 12) takes place. The gathering of Israel is
evidence that the Lord has kept His covenant. It is also a sign that this
telestial version of the earth is ending, and the earth and heavens will be
renewed. The earth has as much reason to rejoice over this as we do. I don’t
understand the type of spirit or intelligence the earth has, but it is given
traits of agency in several places throughout scripture (see Matthew 8: 24–27,
and Helaman 12: 7–8 for examples). These scriptures describe the earth and
elements as obedient. How can something (someone) be obedient unless they have
the choice to be disobedient? The
argument put forth by Alma to his son, Corianton, applies here, doesn’t it? He
asked a series of questions, including, “How could there be a law save there
was a punishment [for breaking that law]” (Alma 42: 17). Apparently the earth’s
elements are subject to laws. Some of these laws we know, such as the law of
gravity, but others we don’t know, such as the law that allowed Christ to walk
on water, superseding the law of gravity (Matthew 14: 22–33). So it seems like
the elements must have some level of intelligence in order to be able to obey.
Someday I hope to understand it.
