Recovering at some point that must have happened.
Actually according to current scientific theory no, matter is finite and has never been created. If you accept the big bang theory , all the matter in the universe started out congealed in one incredibly dense point . This matter for some unknown reason exploded into the universe that we know today. It postulates that all matter originates from this.
Energy cannot only be the motion of particles. That would be just one form energy
You are correct energy is not only concerned with motion (kinetic energy) There are other forms for example electromagnetic energy.
Are photons truly particulate in nature?
Ah you have touched on a very complex subject . Photons exhibit the behaviors of both waves and particles of matter .The division of physics that tries to explain this is quantum physics. The specific theory is wave particle duality principle It is a complex topic, but among the most intriguing in physics.
Thank you Terry for providing me with the intellectual stimulation that I have been lacking, it is nice to deal with theoretic science rather than applied science for a change.