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Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

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cultivate the earth and to "have dominion" over all<br />

animal life (Gen. 1:28). This indicates that we have<br />

the divinely bestowed responsibility <strong>of</strong> preserving<br />

the quality <strong>of</strong> our environment.<br />

Dignity <strong>of</strong> Manual Labor<br />

The Creator asked Adam "to tend and keep" the<br />

garden <strong>of</strong> Eden (Gen. 2:15). His assigning mankind<br />

this useful occupation in a perfect world reveals the<br />

dignity <strong>of</strong> manual labor.<br />

The Worth <strong>of</strong> the Physical Universe<br />

At each stage <strong>of</strong> Creation God said that what<br />

He had made was "good" (Gen. 1:10, 12, 17, 21,<br />

25), and when He had finished creating, He<br />

pronounced the whole "very good" (Gen. 1:31).<br />

Thus created matter is not intrinsically evil, but<br />

good.<br />

The Remedy for Pessimism, Loneliness, and<br />

Meaninglessness<br />

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