The Kolob Theorem: A Mormon's View of God's Starry Universe

[Vort]

I would also note that The Kolob Theorem, in suggesting that God somehow resides within the Milky Way galaxy and that other galaxies are not God's creation, directly contradicts LDS theology, including Elder Scott's recent (and excellent) General Conference talk of last November, wherein he said:

"If we were capable of moving outward into space, we would first see our earth as did the astronauts. Farther out, we would have a grandstand view of the sun and its orbiting planets. They would appear as a small circle of objects within an enormous panorama of glittering stars. Were we to continue the outward journey, we would have a celestial view of our Milky Way spiral, with over 100 billion stars rotating in a circular path, their orbits controlled by gravity around a concentrated central region. Beyond that, we could look toward a group of galaxies called the Virgo Cluster, which some feel includes our Milky Way, estimated to be about 50 million light years away. Beyond that, we’d encounter galaxies 10 billion light years away that the Hubble telescope has photographed. The dizzying enormity of that distance is suggested by noting that light travels 700 million miles an hour. Even from this extraordinary perspective there would not be the slightest evidence of approaching any limit to God the Father’s creations."

Clearly, Elder Scott is of the opinion that all these are indeed creations of our Father.

I'll stick with Elder Scott on this one.

[Bethie]

I don't care if the theorem is real or not. The words of the song are amazing and that's enough...


Some lyrics from the hauntingly beautiful song,

"If You Could Hie to Kolob"

"The Works of God continue....

There is no end to Virtue
There is no end to Youth
There is no end to Union
There is no end to Light
There is no end to Wisdom
There is no end to Love
There is no end to Truth
There is no end to Glory
There is no end to Being
There is no death above"

[HiJolly]

Interesting. I get the feeling he's not thinking big enough, but I don't know for sure.


HiJolly

[tomk]

The author does not set these ideas out as doctrine. So we should stop calling it such or insinuating that he is trying to represent it as such. He makes it clear this is just his own speculation.

Whether his ideas square with Elder Scott's description or not take nothing from the fact that I find them interesting to think about.

Why do things like this upset people so much?

[tomk]

Perhaps each God gets His OWN Universe.

What I think the author is trying to convey is the majesty of thought behind it all. He rightly adores our Creator and stands in awe of His wisdom and organization.

[Over43]

Originally Posted by pam

Wow someone else that calls it a hot chocolate table. Here I thought I was being unique. haha

I have called it the hot beverage table in the past. Hot chocolate table works even better though!

O43

[Vort]

Originally Posted by tomk

The author does not set these ideas out as doctrine. So we should stop calling it such or insinuating that he is trying to represent it as such.

"Doctrine" just means "teaching", so of course it's a doctrine (or a set of doctrines). I don't think anyone has suggested that he is proclaiming these as official LDS teachings.

Whether his ideas square with Elder Scott's description or not take nothing from the fact that I find them interesting to think about.

True enough, though I don't recall suggesting that his disagreement with Elder Scott therefore implied you didn't find it interesting. All I suggested was that it seemed strong evidence against his "Kolob Theroem" views being compatible with LDS teachings.

Why do things like this upset people so much?

I don't know that they do. Some people might find the ideas distasteful, and moreso because of the claim that they are somehow compatible with LDS doctrines. Misusing words like "theorem" to describe what is better (and more literally) termed "space doctrine" is also an irritant.

[Gillebre]

so is the Book of Abraham 'space doctrine'?

edit:

i've read about halfway through this book. and while i did previously think that God's domain was the whole universe (all the galaxies, etc...), the more i'm inclined, as I study and ponder this book for truth, that maybe I was incorrect before. A galaxy is quite huge, when you really study how big it is. There is a LOT we don't know, officially, about how things really work. the author could very well have hit the nail on the head...and when I just imagine the scope of His creations...His home, I am awed.

[Vort]

Originally Posted by Gillebre

so is the Book of Abraham 'space doctrine'?

No, of course not. What gives you that idea?

i've read about halfway through this book. and while i did previously think that God's domain was the whole universe (all the galaxies, etc...), the more i'm inclined, as I study and ponder this book for truth, that maybe I was incorrect before.

You might do better to study and ponder the scriptures rather than someone's bizarre doctrinal interpretation of them.

[Gillebre]

I'm simply following the counsel in Moroni 10 that says the Holy Ghost shall reveal the truth of all things. Not just of the truth of the Book of Mormon, or that Jesus did in fact atone for the sins of us all, but any truth, 'the truth of all things' as the scriptures indicate.

When it comes to someone's theories of science or how the universe is, I've come to learn that the only way to be certain of any facts in the matter is to counsel with Heavenly Father on the matter. He's the only one I trust.