What makes the universe function?
The universe functions by resting on a basic trinity of time, space, and matter. Matter—whether planets, moons, or people—moves through space in a given period of time, and this threefold framework is what makes the whole universe function. Remove any one element and no universe remains.
Les explains that everything in creation rests upon trinities of sorts. For the universe, that basic trinity is time, space, and matter. He notes that if you take away any one of those three, you no longer have a universe, because the whole function is matter—whether planets, moons, or people—moving through space in a given period of time. He also uses water as an illustration: it exists as liquid, solid, and gas, showing that many things in creation rest upon a trinity of sorts. He cautions that he doesn't like to use the word 'trinity' for water because it normally refers to the Godhead, but everything rests upon a three.