One unique phrase that Joseph Smith brings into The Church’s vocabulary is ‘one eternal round.’ He translates that English phrase three times in The Book of Mormon and uses it in two revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. At the end of Joseph’s life, he brings the phrase front and center in one of his final sermons titled, ’The King Follet Sermon.’ I have heard this phrase misused to imply that God is timeless and thought it would be worth referencing here to provide the correct context.

I want to reason more on the spirit of man; for I am dwelling on the body and spirit of man - on the subject of the dead. I take my ring from my finger and liken it unto the mind of man - the immortal part, because it had no beginning. Suppose you cut it in two; then it has a beginning and an end; but join it again, and it continues one eternal round. So with the spirit of man. As the Lord liveth, if it had a beginning, it will have an end. All the fools and learned and wise men from the beginning of creation, who say that the spirit of man had a beginning, prove that it must have an end; and if that doctrine is true, then the doctrine of annihilation would be true. But if I am right, I might with boldness proclaim from the housetops that God never had the power to create the spirit of man at all. God himself could not create himself.

The above quote has a lot more to unpack than the conversation about the implications of ‘one eternal round’ on timelessness. Joseph uses the phrase to discuss man’s spirit, whereas the below verses all describe God’s attributes. It does appear that Joseph is using the concept to describe endlessness, not timelessness which can be confused. I discussed that confusion in a previous post where I asked, ‘Does no beginning really imply timelessness (response to Kathleen Flake)?’

The One Eternal Round Verses

Here are the five references in order of Latter-day scripture appearance. While 1 Nephi 10:19 would come last as it was the final section in the Book of Mormon translation¹, it is referencing Lehi’s summarized message, which most likely was in the lost 116 pages. Lehi’s phrasing would have given Joseph the concept for use in Doctrine and Covenants 3:2 as well as Alma’s use later in the Nephite history.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. [1 Nephi 10:19]

For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. [Doctrine and Covenants 3:2]

I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round. [Alma 7:20]

And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. [Alma 37:12]

Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. [Doctrine and Covenants 35:1]

The One Eternal Round Commentaries

Elizabeth Nielson provides a thorough history of circles in her article Mormonism and the Scientific Persistence of Circles: Aristotle, Spacetime, and One Eternal Round. I include two quotes that highlight the use of circles to represent no ending or beginning not a description of timelessness.

Medieval theologian Nicholas of Cusa studied the circle for theological insight. In an argument stunningly similar to that of curved spacetime rendering the universe fundamentally circular, he posits the nature of God as being fundamentally circular. According to Nicholas of Cusa, God’s path is an infinite circle, which means that any finite segment of the circle must be a straight line (otherwise the segment would produce a finite circle).

Indeed, this emphasis on the perfection of the circle, and its consequent association with the divine, is reminiscent of Aristotle. The circle, with neither beginning nor end, of which any point is both the first and the last, could just as well be dubbed Alpha and Omega.

Michelle from Women Seeking Christ helped me find two quotes from Neal A. Maxwell that provides another interpretation of ‘one eternal round’.

The divine delight in what seems to us to be mere repetition is one clue to the sublime character of God. Since we must, at times, accept what appears to us to be routine, repeated experiences, we too, if we try, can find fresh meaning and fresh joy in the repeated experiences. God’s course is one eternal round but it is not one monotonous round. God is never bored, for one who has perfect love is never bored. There is always so much to notice, so much to do, so many ways to help, so many possibilities to pursue (Neal A. Maxwell, A More Excellent Way, p.84-85).

Repeatedly God has described His course as reiterative, “one eternal round”…. We mortals sometimes experience boredom in the routine repetition of our mortal tasks, including even good works; and thus vulnerable, we are urged not to grow weary in well doing. But given God’s divine love, there is no boredom on His part amid His repetitive work, for his course, though one eternal round, involves continuous redemption for His children; it is full of goodness and mercy as His long-suffering shows His love in action. In fact we cannot even comprehend the infinite blessings which await the faithful—”eye hath not seen, nor ear heard . . .” (1 Corinthians 2:9) (Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will, But Thine, p.53-54).

Conclusion

‘One eternal round’ opens our minds to see God’s efforts as consistent and ever repeating in His love for His children. This phrase helps us understand the perfection in His plan. It works and He uses it consistently to redeem each of His children that have ever or will ever exist. His ’eternal round’ guarantees that we can trust Him and that his actions at any moment always have the same purpose. There wasn’t a moment where God’s purpose started and there will not be a moment where it ends. Can I use the context of the above discussion to rephrase Moses 1:39?

For behold, this is my [one eternal round]—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

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