Mormon Cosmology: Faith Among the Stars

 Mormon Cosmology: Faith Among the Stars

The relationship between Mormonism and space exploration might seem unexpected, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a surprisingly rich tradition of cosmic thinking that extends far beyond Earth's atmosphere. From doctrinal beliefs about multiple worlds to members who've literally traveled to space, Mormon cosmology presents a fascinating intersection of faith and the final frontier.

 

Doctrinal Foundations: A Universe of Worlds

Mormon cosmology is built on several distinctive theological principles that set it apart from traditional Christian denominations:

Multiple Worlds and Endless Creation

• The doctrine teaches that God has created "worlds without number" (Moses 1:33)
• Each world is believed to be inhabited by God's children at various stages of spiritual development
• This concept of infinite creation suggests a universe teeming with life and purpose

 

Eternal Progression

• Mormons believe humans can progress to become like God through eternal development
• This includes the potential to create and govern their own worlds
• The doctrine positions Earth as one step in an eternal journey of spiritual advancement

Three Degrees of Glory

• The Mormon afterlife includes three celestial kingdoms: Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial
• These are often conceptualized as different "worlds" or spheres of existence
• The highest degree offers the possibility of continued creation and godhood

 

Historical Context and Early Teachings

Joseph Smith's Revelations

• Founder Joseph Smith received several revelations about cosmic matters in the 1830s and 1840s
• The Book of Abraham includes astronomical content and cosmological visions
• Smith taught about the star Kolob, described as being "nearest unto the throne of God"

 

19th Century Scientific Integration

• Early Mormon leaders often embraced scientific discoveries about astronomy
• They saw expanding knowledge of the universe as confirmation of their doctrines
• This created a tradition of viewing science and faith as complementary rather than conflicting

 

Modern Mormon Space Pioneers

Several notable Latter-day Saints have made significant contributions to space exploration:

Astronauts

• Don Lind: Flew on Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985
• Jake Garn: U.S. Senator and astronaut who flew on Discovery in 1985
• Kalpana Chawla: Though not LDS herself, she worked closely with Mormon colleagues at NASA

NASA Leadership and Engineering

• Many Mormons have held key positions in NASA and aerospace companies
• The culture of education and service within the LDS community has produced numerous space industry professionals

 

Theological Implications of Space Exploration

Confirmation of Doctrine

• Space exploration and astronomical discoveries are often viewed as confirming Mormon teachings about multiple worlds
• The vastness of the universe aligns with concepts of eternal progression and infinite creation

 

Stewardship Responsibilities

• Some Mormon thinkers see space exploration as part of humanity's divine mandate to "subdue" and care for creation
• This extends the concept of earthly stewardship to cosmic proportions

 

Future Possibilities

• Mormon cosmology allows for the possibility that righteous individuals might inherit other worlds
• Space travel could theoretically be part of eternal progression

 

Contemporary Perspectives

Official Church Position

• The LDS Church doesn't take official positions on specific space exploration initiatives
• However, the general encouragement of education and scientific inquiry supports space-related careers
• Church leaders have occasionally referenced space exploration in sermons and talks

 

Cultural Impact

• Mormon science fiction writers like Orson Scott Card have explored these themes extensively
• The concept of multiple worlds influences how many Latter-day Saints view alien life possibilities
• There's generally less conflict between scientific cosmology and religious belief than in some other faiths

 

Unique Aspects of Mormon Space Theology

Materialist Spirituality

• Unlike many religions, Mormonism teaches that spirit and matter are fundamentally the same
• This makes the idea of physical space travel to spiritual realms more coherent within the doctrine

Kolob and Cosmic Geography

• The star Kolob is described as governing earthly time
• Some interpretations suggest a literal cosmic hierarchy with Kolob at the center
• This provides a unique astronomical framework for Mormon cosmology

 

Eternal Families in Space

• The doctrine of eternal families could theoretically extend across multiple worlds
• Family relationships are viewed as continuing beyond death and potentially across cosmic distances

 

Challenges and Questions

Scientific vs. Literal Interpretations

• Modern Mormons navigate between literal scriptural interpretations and scientific understanding
• Questions arise about how to reconcile ancient texts with contemporary cosmology
• There's ongoing discussion about metaphorical versus literal meanings in cosmic doctrines

 

Practical Implications

• How would Mormon doctrine apply to contact with extraterrestrial life?
• What would missionary work look like on other worlds?
• These questions remain largely theoretical but generate interesting theological discussions

 

Conclusion

Mormon cosmology represents a unique approach to understanding humanity's place in the universe. By embracing both spiritual progression and scientific exploration, Latter-day Saints have developed a theology that not only accommodates space exploration but actively encourages it as part of divine purpose.

Whether through the achievements of Mormon astronauts, the theological framework of multiple worlds, or the cultural embrace of cosmic wonder, the relationship between Mormonism and space reflects a faith tradition that sees the universe not as empty void, but as filled with purpose, possibility, and divine potential.

This cosmic perspective continues to influence how many Latter-day Saints approach both their earthly responsibilities and their eternal aspirations, making them natural allies of humanity's greatest adventure: exploring the stars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_cosmology

 

PART 2

Of course! Here are some key people relevant to the intersection of Mormonism and space, categorized for clarity:

Key Figures in Mormon Cosmology and Space

I. Early Church Leaders and Theologians (Cosmology)

• Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–1844)

  • Role: Founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.
  • Significance: Received revelations foundational to Mormon cosmology, including the "Book of Moses" and the "Book of Abraham," which speak of worlds without number, the concept of eternal progression to godhood, and the star Kolob. His teachings laid the groundwork for a cosmologically expansive theology.

• Brigham Young (1801–1877)

  • Role: Second President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • Significance: Further expounded on Joseph Smith's revelations, emphasizing the doctrine of eternal progression and the idea that faithful individuals could eventually organize and populate their own worlds. He was practical about the pursuit of knowledge, including scientific knowledge.

• Orson Pratt (1811–1881)

  • Role: Early Apostle and influential theologian.
  • Significance: A brilliant mathematician and astronomer, Pratt extensively wrote and lectured on the scientific aspects of Mormon theology. He was deeply interested in celestial mechanics and integrated his understanding of the universe with scriptural accounts, seeing harmony between science and faith. He discussed the physical nature of spirit and the mathematical order of the cosmos.

 

II. Astronauts (Space Exploration)

• Don L. Lind (1930–2022)

  • Role: NASA Astronaut (Scientist-Astronaut).
  • Significance: A devout Latter-day Saint, Lind trained as an astronaut during the Apollo era but flew only once on Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985 (STS-51-B). He held a Ph.D. in High-Energy Nuclear Physics and was known for his calm demeanor and dedication to his faith and science. He carried a tiny New Testament to space.

• Jake Garn (b. 1932)

  • Role: U.S. Senator (Utah) and Payload Specialist Astronaut.
  • Significance: Flew on Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985 (STS-51-D) as part of a congressional observer program. While not a career astronaut, his flight marked a significant moment for the LDS community, as a prominent Church member experienced space firsthand. The "Garn ratio" (related to space sickness) is humorously named after him by astronauts.

• Kalpana Chawla (1962–2003)

  • Role: NASA Astronaut (Mission Specialist).
  • Significance: While not a Latter-day Saint herself, she is notable in this context for her deep friendship and professional collaboration with Don Lind at NASA. Her inclusion highlights the presence of LDS individuals within the broader NASA community and the shared pursuit of discovery. She tragically perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

 

III. Scholars and Historians (Analysis and Interpretation)

• Orson Scott Card (b. 1951)

  • Role: Prominent Science Fiction Author.
  • Significance: Although primarily a fiction writer, Card, a devout Latter-day Saint, has extensively explored themes of multiple worlds, human potential, and colonization of space in his hugely popular works like Ender's Game and The Hainish Cycle. His work often subtly reflects elements of Mormon cosmology, bringing these concepts to a wider audience through a secular lens.

• Duane E. Jeffery (b. 1938)

  • Role: Professor of Biology (Brigham Young University) and Science/Religion Scholar.
  • Significance: Jeffery has published extensively on the intersection of science and Mormon theology, particularly on evolution and cosmology. He discusses how LDS doctrine, especially the concept of eternal progression and other worlds, allows for a more open and less conflicted view of scientific discoveries than some other religious traditions.

• David H. Bailey (b. 1948)

  • Role: Mathematician and Computer Scientist.
  • Significance: Known for his work in computational mathematics and his writings on science and religion from an LDS perspective. Bailey often addresses the compatibility of scientific findings, including those in cosmology, with Mormon theology, emphasizing that the "worlds without number" concept invites scientific exploration rather than fearing it.

These individuals, from different eras and professional backgrounds, collectively demonstrate the rich and multifaceted relationship between Mormonism and space, illustrating how doctrinal belief can intersect with scientific endeavors and exploration.