The Language of God: Gathering the Witnesses of Creation
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
Psalm 19:1
Truth Is Not a Single Thread—It Is a Tapestry
One of my favorite illustrations is the ancient story of the blind men and the elephant.
One man touches the trunk and concludes the elephant is like a snake. Another feels a leg and insists it is like a tree. Another places his hands on the elephant’s side and declares it is like a wall. Each possesses a genuine piece of truth. Each is also incomplete.
I have come to believe that much of God’s truth is discovered in much the same way—not by choosing one witness while rejecting the others, but by carefully gathering many witnesses until a larger picture begins to emerge.
The Lord established this principle long ago.
“At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” – (Deuteronomy 19:15)
Jesus reaffirmed it:
“In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” – (Matthew 18:16)
The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) follows this same divine pattern.
- The Book of Mormon was established by multiple witnesses and has a subtitle of “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”
- The gospel is taught by prophets and apostles.
- The Holy Ghost adds His own confirming witness.
God rarely asks us to build our faith upon a single voice. Perhaps that principle extends beyond courts of law and sacred records.
- Scripture bears witness.
- Creation bears witness.
- History bears witness.
- Nature bears witness.
- Science bears witness.
- Mathematics bears witness.
- The heavens bear witness.
None of these replace revelation. Rather, they become additional voices testifying of the same divine Author.
The Lord declared through Enoch:
“All things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me.”
(Moses 6:63)
That verse has become one of the guiding principles of my life.
If all things bear record of Christ, then creation itself becomes a symbolic language.
Christ Is the Center of Every Symbol
Jesus rarely taught abstract theology. He taught with:
- wheat
- vineyards
- seeds
- shepherds
- storms
- fishing nets
- bread
- light
- weddings
The Lord has always spoken through symbols because symbols invite us to ponder rather than merely memorize.
Doctrine and Covenants 88 expands that invitation even further, encouraging us to study:
- things in heaven,
- things in the earth,
- things beneath the earth,
- kingdoms,
- nations,
- astronomy,
- history,
- and “things which must shortly come to pass.”
The same God who gave us scripture also created the heavens. The same God who established covenants also established the laws governing galaxies.
If He is the Author of both, perhaps they occasionally echo one another—not because the heavens replace revelation, but because all things are made to bear record of Him.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell frequently taught that there are no coincidences in God’s dealings with His children. Whether through providential timing, recurring themes, or meaningful experiences, the Lord gently teaches us “line upon line,” often using circumstances to invite us to notice something we otherwise might have overlooked.
Not every coincidence is a prophecy. Sometimes a coincidence is simply an invitation to pay attention.
A Curious Heavenly Pattern
Around July 19–22, 2026, an unusual planetary configuration appears in the heavens.
Three of the slow-moving outer planets—all having recently entered new zodiac signs—stand at approximately 4°, while Jupiter briefly joins them at approximately 4° Leo. Saturn, though farther along in Aries, remains an important part of the broader symbolism through its conjunction with Neptune in Aries earlier in 2026.
- Pluto — 4° Aquarius
- Neptune — 4° Aries
- Saturn — 14° Aries
- Uranus — 4° Gemini
- Jupiter — 4° Leo
Together, these planets form a striking geometric figure that many have nicknamed the Basket or the Chalice.
Whether viewed as astronomy, astrology, or simply a beautiful celestial pattern, the arrangement invites reflection.
What follows is not presented as doctrine or prophecy, but as an exploration of symbolic themes that, when considered alongside scripture, nature, and the teachings of living prophets, encourage us to ponder how God may speak through many witnesses.
The Symbolism of the Basket
Each planet contributes a different symbolic archetype.
Pluto in Aquarius
- Purification
- Hidden Things Brought to Light
- Transformation Through Death and Rebirth
- Renewal
- Humanity
- The Reshaping of Societies
Saturn in Aries
- Building
- Responsibility
- Discipline
- Laying new foundations
- Migration
- Establishing Institutions in New Places
Missionary work that requires dedication and endurance would fit with this.
Neptune in Aries
- Vision
- Faith
- Divine inspiration
- Spiritual courage
- Oceans Ships
- Sea Voyages
- Pilgrimages
- Mystical journeys
- Compassion Across Borders
Uranus in Gemini
- Communication
- Languages
- Technology. (AI, Internet, etc)
- Worldwide exchange of ideas
- Innovation
- Aviation
- New Transportation Systems
Jupiter in Leo
- Joy
- Generosity
- Creative leadership
- The Lion
- Long Distance Travel
- Foreign Nations
- Cultural Exchange
- Higher Learning
- Exploration
For Christians, the lion immediately recalls one of Christ’s sacred titles:
“The Lion of the tribe of Judah.”
If the symbolism points anywhere, it ultimately points to Him.
Putting It All Together
There is a fascinating symbolic progression that is very similar to how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has spread and will continue to do so:
- Neptune in Aries → A new vision or calling inspires people to go.
- Saturn in Aries → They organize, build, and establish.
- Uranus in Gemini → The message spreads rapidly through travel, language, technology, and communication.
- Pluto in Aquarius → Society is transformed as people and ideas become interconnected.
- Jupiter in Leo → Hearts are enlarged, people rejoice, and courageous leadership emerges. Leo is the Lion who Represents Jesus Christ, so all of this could be what ushers in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Language of Numbers
One of the most fascinating aspects of the pattern is that four of the planets gather around 4°. Throughout scripture and many symbolic traditions, four represents earthly establishment:
- foundations
- order
- government
- the four directions
- the four corners of the earth
- the four winds
It is the number of things becoming established in the world.
The date itself is also intriguing.
July is the seventh month. Seven symbolizes covenant, completion, and divine perfection.
Both 19 and 2026 reduce numerologically to 10, often representing the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another. The number 10 also represents spiritual pioneering.
The full date reduces to 9, a number long associated with harvest and fulfillment.
Whether one accepts numerology or not, the symbolic harmony is certainly thought-provoking.
The Basket Opens Toward Scorpio
One detail particularly caught my attention. The opening of the basket points toward 0° Scorpio. In traditional astrology, Scorpio symbolizes:
- purification
- covenant
- hidden things revealed
- death followed by resurrection
- transformation
The term “covenant” really stood out to me because according to LDS theology, the Gathering of Israel (aka missionary and temple work) is all about making and keeping covenants with God that we may be purified in Jesus Christ.
Also, before new life comes, something old must die. Before resurrection comes sacrifice. That pattern echoes throughout scripture.
Beyond Astrology
Following that same central axis beyond the zodiac, the line extends toward the center region of the Virgo Cluster, one of the nearest great clusters of galaxies. Traditional astrology assigns no special meaning to this astronomical object.
Yet symbolically, Virgo has long represented:
- wheat
- harvest
- faithful service
- preparation
- bringing forth life
- The Virgin
Suddenly the imagery becomes difficult to ignore.
- A heavenly harvest.
- A basket.
- Preparation.
- Gathering.
- The Parable of the Virgins
An interesting scientific sidenote: In 2019, Astronomical research by the EVENT Horizon Telescope, found a super massive black hole at the center of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster. They discovered that the M87 Elliptical Galaxy has this super massive black hole at its center.
The theory is that M87 galaxy’s gravity has swallowed dozens of smaller neighboring galaxies. Their black holes merged with the M87 black hole which caused it to become super-massive.
The Great Harvest
Jesus declared:
“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
(John 4:35)
He also taught the parable of the wheat and the tares, explaining that the wheat would be gathered into the Lord’s barn.
Latter-day Saints understand the gathering of Israel as one of the great works preceding the Savior’s return.
President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught that gathering Israel is the greatest cause upon the earth today.
He has also promised:
“In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen.”
Those words invite profound reflection. Could the Lord be preparing a worldwide spiritual harvest? Only He knows the timing.
A Present Day Symbol (World Cup)
If Uranus in Gemini symbolizes unprecedented communication and Jupiter symbolizes international exchange, then the great movements of peoples across borders—whether for missions, education, commerce, or even worldwide events like the 2026 World Cup—become fitting symbols of a world increasingly connected. In such a world, truth, kindness, and the gospel can travel farther and faster than ever before.
Gathering the Witnesses
By themselves… Astrology proves nothing. Astronomy proves nothing. Numerology proves nothing. But perhaps that is the wrong question.
Perhaps the question is whether multiple independent witnesses are quietly pointing our hearts toward the same scriptural themes.
Preparation.
Gathering.
(Gathering of Israel)
Purification and Covenants
Communication.
(Sharing the Gospel)
Transformation.
Harvest.
(Parable of the Wheat and Tares)
Christ.
When viewed together, these witnesses become less about predicting dates and more about recognizing patterns that have filled scripture from the beginning.
The Bottom Line
I do not believe God speaks through only one language.
- He speaks through scripture.
- He speaks through prophets.
- He speaks through the Holy Ghost.
- He speaks through history.
- He speaks through nature.
- He speaks through symbols.
- He speaks through the heavens.
- Each witness offers only part of the picture.
But when gathered together, they begin to form a beautiful tapestry whose center is not astrology, not numerology, not astronomy…
…but Jesus Christ.
Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all. The heavens do not ask us to worship them. They simply continue doing what they have always done:
They bear record of their Creator.
“And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me…”
Moses 6:63
If something in this reflection stirred something in you—if you sense God inviting you into a new season but you’re not quite sure what that looks like—that’s exactly what Flow & Grow sessions are for. They’re gentle, Spirit-led conversations where we create space to listen, notice, and discern together. If you’d like to explore what God may be inviting you into, I’d love to walk alongside you.
