MORMONISM: A SPACE-AGE PHILOSOPHY

Hyrum L Andrus
All rights reserved

Recent scientific advancements have launched the world firmly into the
space age. But who among the learned at this time is able to tell what the final
concept of the earth and its relationship to the universe will be?
By revelation, Joseph Smith received information concerning the creation
and redemption of worlds. To Brigham young and others he explained many ideas
pertaining to "the formation of the planetary system."1 Reporting a discourse to
the
Saints, he said: "I...gave some instructions in the mysteries of the kingdom
of God; such as the history of the planets, Abraham's writings upon the planetary
systems, etc."2 After visiting the Prophet, a traveler wrote that "from his
conversation one might suppose him as well acquainted with other worlds as
this."3
Early in his ministry, it was said of the Prophet in a revelation: "...I have
given unto him the keys of the mysteries of those things which have been sealed,
even things which were from the foundation of the world."4 As head of this last
dispensation, he had a right to receive knowledge concerning the state of the
earth since the beginning of the creation. Later he declared: "I could go back and
trace every subject of interest concerning the relationship of man to God, if I had
time. I can enter into the mysteries; I can enter largely into the eternal worlds."5
THE ETERNAL NATURE OF MATTER
Joseph Smith taught that matter and intelligence are eternal, and that God
is in time and space as the great organizer of self-existing matter and things. A
revelation declared: "The elements are eternal."6 "Earth, water, etc., had their
existence in an elementary state from eternity," the Prophet declared.7 He
explained:
Element had an existence from the time He (i.e., God) had. The
pure principles of element are principles which can never be
destroyed. They had no beginning and can have no end.8

SPACE AND TIME ARE ENDLESS

President Brigham Young voiced one of the great truths which was revealed
through Joseph Smith when he said: "Eternity is without bounds, and is filled with
matter; and there is no such place as empty space."9 This which is true of space
is also true of time. The Prophet Joseph declared: "No man can Limit the bounds
or the eternal existence of eternal time."10
ALL THINGS ARE GOVERNED BY LAW
The Lord declared in a revelation that the rule of law prevails in all areas of
universal space. Having explained that there is no space in which there is no
kingdom" of organized existence, God said: "And unto every kingdom is given a
law."11
THERE ARE MANY GODS IN ETERNITY
Joseph Smith maintained that, when man views things in light of eternity, he
must conclude that there are many Gods with their respective kingdoms in
universal space. "I say there are Gods many and Lords many, but to us only one,
and we are to be in subjection of that one." Taking this view of the matter, he held,
"sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness, and perfection of the Gods.12
The Prophet taught that the many Gods in eternity are united within a divine
patriarchal order in which there is a patriarchal line of Gods extending back in
time and upward in the patriarchal chain into infinity, "Intelligences exist one
above another," he declared, "so that there is no end to them." He then explained:
If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that
God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose
that He had a Father also. Where was there a son without a
father? And where was there ever a father without being a son?
Whenever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a
progenitor? And everything comes in this way. Paul says that
which is earthly is in the likeness of that which is heavenly.
Hence, if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a
Father also? I despise the idea of being scared to death at such
a doctrine, for the Bible is full of it.13
From the above statements it would appear that the organization of worlds
in universal space has been going on under the direction of the several mighty

beings who have existed and who do exist within the divine patriarchal order from
a time without beginning. It seems fair to conclude, therefore, that there have
been great creators and redeemers of other worlds than that divine being who
came to this earth at known to us as Jesus Christ. Speaking of our Father in
Heaven --- the Man of Holiness --- Joseph Smith said: "God himself was once as
we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens."14
This being true, it may be concluded that the Christ whom we know --- the
Firstborn of our Father in Heaven --- did not create or redeem the world upon
which his Father experienced mortality.
THE CREATIONS OF GOD ARE INNUMERABLE
Our Father in Heaven has revealed to his prophets on this earth that his
creations are innumerable to man. Abraham said of a vision of God's creations
which he was shown: ". . . they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could not see
the end thereof." 15 Moses was told that God's creations could not "be numbered
unto man."16 And to the Lord, Enoch exclaimed: "were it possible that man could
number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a
beginning to the number of thy creations."17
CHRIST THE CREATOR OF MANY WORLDS
Speaking of his many creations, to Moses, the Father said: "By the word of
my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of
grace and truth." God then explained: "And worlds without number have I created;
and I also created them for mine awn purpose; and by the Son I created them,
which is mine Only Begotten."18 In light of the doctrine which Joseph Smith taught
concerning the plurality of Gods, some students of Latter-day Saint thought
conclude that the term "Only Begotten Son" in these statements to an office which
has been occupied by many divine beings--a grand order of creators--and not
specifically to the Son of God who created and redeemed this earth. That there
have been divine creators and redeemers other than the one for this seems to be
apparent from the evidence given. But this does not preclude the fact that the Son
of God who came to this earth created many worlds. In the above statement to
Moses, the Father is speaking of his creations through his Only Begotten Son.
Having seen Christ on "the right hand of God," Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
heard a voice out of heaven "bearing record that he is the Only Begotten Son of
the Father --- that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were
created."19

CHRIST THE REDEEMER OF MANY WORLDS

Joseph Smith also taught that Christ holds the keys of the universe.20
recording some of the glorious truths which he and Sidney Rigdon were
shown in vision, the Prophet wrote that Jesus made his infinite sacrifice on this
earth that "all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made
by him."21 This statement seems to imply that Christ's atonement on this earth
extends to all which he created by the power of the Father and which he has
jurisdiction over, not merely this earth and its habitants. In arranging the report of
this revelation in poetic verse, Joseph Smith wrote of Christ at this point:
'Tis decreed that he'll save all the works of his hands,
And sanctify them by his own precious blood.
Continuing:
The Saviour will save all his Father did give,
Even all that he gave in the regions abroad.22
Latter-day revelations state specifically that Christ's atonement covers, worlds
other than ours. As Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon beheld Christ in the vision
referred to above, they heard a voice out of heaven declare that by him, and
through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created and the inhabitants
thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."23 In order to become a son
or daughter must of God through Jesus Christ man be born into the kingdom of
God through the power of Christ's atonement. (See D&C 25:1; 34:1-3; 39:1-4;
Moses 6:59-62, 66-68; 7:1; Mosiah 5:7, 15:10-12; Ether 3:14.) If the inhabitants of
the other worlds which Jesus creates are begotten sons and daughters unto God
through Christ, his atonement must extend to those other spheres. Joseph Smith
confirmed this view beyond question when he arranged the verses above in
poetic form:
And I heard a great voice, bearing record from heav'n,
He's the Saviour, and only begotten of God
By him, of him, and through him, the worlds were all made,
Even all that career in the heavens so broad

Whose inhabitants, too, from the first to the last,

Are sav'd by the very same Saviour as ours:
And, of course are begotten God's daughters and sons,
By the very same truths and the very same powers.24
Another revelation explains the quickening and governing power, or glory, of
Christ throughout the universe. (See all of D&C 88 in light of the setting which the
Lord gives in verses 5 through 13.) Within the boundless expanse of space "there
are many kingdoms," it declares, and God "hath given a law unto all things, by
which they move in their times and seasons. Thus the orderly cosmos is
sustained "in the midst of the power of God."25 The revelation likens "these
kingdoms unto a man having a field" with twelve servants who labor in it. Each
servant receives a visit in his time, "that his lord might be glorified in him, and he
in his lord, that they all might be glorified." Concludes the revelation: "Therefore,
unto this parable I will liken all these kingdoms, and the inhabitants thereof --each kingdom in its hour, and in its time, and in its season, even according to the
decree which God bath made."26
John Taylor quoted with approval a statement from the Times and Seasons,
published at Nauvoo, Illinois, that the twelve kingdoms in this parable "are
governed by the same rules, destined to the same honor," concluding that Peach
kingdom, or planet, and the inhabitants thereof, were blessed with the visits and
presence of their Creator, in their several times and seasons."27
This does not mean that Jesus would have to be crucified on each of the worlds
that he created, but that his atonement on this earth extend to all that he creates.
He then ministers to these many spheres, each in its turn. Elder Marion G.
Romney has said: "Except for his mortal ministry accomplished on this earth, his
service and relationship to other worlds and their inhabitants are the same as his
service and relationship to this earth and its inhabitants.28
This expanded view of Christ's power of creation and redemption leaves
some questions unanswered. Having declared to Moses that he had created
worlds without number through his Only Begotten Son, God explained that there
were many worlds which had "passed away." He then said: "And as one earth
shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come and there
is no end to my works, neither to my words."29 If many worlds which Christ
created had passed away before God spoke to Moses, questions may be raised
regarding the time and circumstances of their redemption. Rather than give

Moses insight into these matters, God said: "But only an account of this earth, and
the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you.30
KOLOB AND THE CREATION OF THE EARTH
Abraham was given a view of the earth, its creation, and its place in the
divine scheme of things. By means of the Urim and Thummim, he saw a mighty
sphere named Kolob, which is the center of our stellar system. He was informed
that Kolob is the great governing star next to the sphere on which God dwells, and
that Kolob governs all the bodies in space which pertain to "the same order" as
our earth31 Abraham was also told that Kolob's schedule of time is "after the
manner of the Lord" --- one revolution being "a day unto the Lord" and a thousand
years of time on our earth.32
Kolob and its stellar system provide the setting for Abrahams account of the
creation. Early in the creation the earth was apparently placed under the same
time schedule as that of Kolob. Abraham used the word time to designate each
period of the creation. For instance, when the light was "divided" from the
darkness on the first day, Abraham said: . . . from the evening until morning they
called night; and from the morning until the evening they called day; and this was
the first, or the beginning of that which they (i.e., the Gods) called night and
day.33 In concluding his report of the second day, Abraham wrote: ". . . this was
the second time that they called night and day."34 Then as he concludes his report
of the third day he said: ". . . they numbered the days;" and it was "the third
time."35 The term "time" therefore meant a day of the Lord's time.
Thus, they continued through the creative periods. Concluding the account 36 of
the sixth day, Abraham wrote: "And they numbered the sixth time."36 Finally, as
the God's placed Adam upon the earth and warned him not to partake of the
forbidden fruit in the garden, they said: "For in the time that thou eatest thereof,
thou shalt surely die." Abraham then explained: "Now I, Abraham, saw that it was
after the Lord's time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had
not appointed unto Adam his reckoning."37 On the basis of these declarations,
Orson Pratt concluded that "the Lord had reckoned previous to that period (when
he spoke to Adam concerning the forbidden fruit) by the diurnal rotations of Kolob,
and that, without doubt, was the day referred to in parents should die, if they ate
of the forbidden fruit."38 President Joseph Fielding Smith draws a similar
conclusion.39
THE EARTH'S STATE AFTER THE CREATION

As a result of the actions of the creation, the earth was placed in a paradisiacal
state of glory. The glory of the Father enveloped the earth and quickened all life
with intelligent, living powers. Of Adam, Joseph Smith wrote:
"God conversed with him face to face; in his presence he was
permitted to stand, and from his own mouth he was permitted to
receive instruction --- he heard his voice, walked before him,
and gazed upon his glory --- intelligence burst upon his
understanding and enabled him to give names to the vast
assemblage of his Maker's works.40
While in this state, Adam enjoyed intelligent spiritual endowments perhaps
similar to those that the Lamanites received when they were converted by Nephi
and Lehi. Mormon wrote of them:
. . . they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of
fire . . . and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable
and full of glory . . . and they could speak forth marvelous
words.41
Similar endowments, with like effects, were given to the Nephi to children
during Christ's visit among them. They 'were encircled about with fire,42 and they
were able to "utter marvelous things.43
When the various forms of life were first placed on earth, they were both
physical and spiritual in the nature of their organization, in somewhat the same
way that a resurrected body is spiritual.44 Having stated that he created every tree
"out of the ground," the Lord declared that "it was spiritual" in the day he created
it, and that this was true of "all things" which he prepared for man.45 Thus
organized, there was no deterioration of the physical body resulting in death
before the fall. "If Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen," Lehi
explained, . . . .and all things which were created must have remained in the
same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have
remained forever and had no end.46
THE FALL
Adam's transgression changed this whole order of things. No longer was the
earth subject to the law of Kolob; it was taken from that order and given its own
schedule of time. God's glory --- the Spirit with its intelligent, living attributes and

powers --- was withdrawn, spiritual death thus came to life on earth.47 Physical
death also entered the world as the spiritual nature of the several forms of life was
changed and the earth entered its present temporal state. Orson Pratt contrasted
the paradisiacal excellence which the earth initially enjoyed with its present
temporal state. "First, it was spiritual in all its blessings and fullness of life and
glory," he declared. "Then it was reduced to a temporal condition, wherein misery
and wretchedness existed.48 His brother Parley also observed that the fall
"affected the whole creation, as well as man, and caused the various changes to
take place.49 But despite the corruption that has prevailed upon the earth, as a
sphere it abides "the law of a celestial kingdom." For this reason it will be
celestialized and become the abode of the righteous.50 "In proportion as it has
been reduced," Brigham Young stated, "so it will be exalted. "51
GOD'S PROMISE OF FURTHER KNOWLEDGE
Though many important things were revealed to Joseph Smith about the
earth and the cosmos, the Lord has promised to unfold other truths in this
dispensation. The Prophet Joseph Smith spoke of
" A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether
there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
"All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be
revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
"And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or
to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars --"All the times of their revolutions, all the appointed days, months,
and years, and all the days of their days, months and years, and all
their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the
dispensation of the fulness of times --"According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council
of The Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that
should be re- served unto the finishing and the end thereof, when
every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal
rest.52

The promises that are made in this statement will not be fulfilled by means
of scientific exploration alone. Many important things will be revealed by the Lord
after the earth has been renewed in the millennium to a state of paradisiacal
glory, possibly because only then will man be capable of understanding and
utilizing such information. In a revelation concerning the renewal of the earth,
it said:
. . . verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come,
he shall reveal all things --"Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man
knew, things of the earth by which it was made, and the purpose
and the end thereof --"Things most precious, things that are above, and things that
are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth,
and in heaven.
"And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure
in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my
sake yet shall they partake of all this glory."53
The saints look forward to the millennium as a glorious age when man will
possess great knowledge concerning the earth and the cosmos. At this time, if not
before, the Saints will understand the eternal program by which the Gods
organize worlds, subject them and their inhabitants to a temporal probation, and
redeem the faithful to a place of glory and power.54
Endnotes
1
History Of The Church, Vol. 2, p. 334. This work which is popularly designated
as the Documentary History Of The Church will hereafter be abbreviated as DHC,
followed by the volume and page number.
2
DHC, Vol. 3, p. 27.
3
DHC, Vol. 6, p. 269
4
D&C 35:18. See also D&C 64:5; 112:15.
5
DHC, Vo1. 6, p. 315.
6
D&C 93:33.
7
DHC, Vol. 3, p. 387.
8
DHC, Vol. 6, pp. 308-309.

10

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, pp. 2-3. (Bookcraft 1954). Hereafter this source
will be JD.
10
TPJS, p. 371.
11
D&C 88:37-38.
12
TPJS, pp. 371-372.
13
TPJS, p. 373.
14
TPJS, pp. 345.
15
Abraham 3:11-12
16
Moses 1:37
17
Moses 7:30
18
Moses 1:32-33
19
D&C 76:23-24. (Italics added)
20
DHC Vol. 3, p. 387.
21
D&C 76:41-42. (Italics added)
22
Times and Seasons, Vol. 4 (February 1, 1843), p. 83. (Italics added)
23
D&C 76:20-24.
24
Times and Seasons, Vol. 4 (February 1, 1843), pp. 82-83, (Italics added.) The
fact that the inhabitants of these many spheres which Christ created are begotten
sons and daughters unto God by receiving divine "truths" and "powers" from him
confirms that Joseph Smith was speaking of birth into the Kingdom of God, which
has its basis in the atonement of Christ.
25
D&C 88:6-13, p. 37, 43, 45.
26
D&C 88:51-61. (Italics added)
27
John Taylor, Mediation and Atonement (Stevens and Wallis, Inc., Salt Lake
City, 1950), pp. 76-77.
28
The Improvement Era, November 1968, p. 46.
29
Moses 1:35, 33.
30
Moses 1:35.
31
Abraham 3:1-9.
32
Abraham 3:4.
33
Abraham 4:5.
34
Abraham 4:8. (Italics added)
35
Abraham 4:13. (Italics added)
36
Abraham 4:21. (Italics added)
37
Abraham 5:13. (Italics added)
38
JD Vol. 16, p. 317. Journal of Discourses, (Bookcraft 1954). Hereafter this
source will be JD.
39 [Missing reference]
40
Lecture on Faith, No. 2. (Photo Reprint of Kirtland, Ohio (1835) ed. p. 15.)
(Italics added.)


41

11

Helaman 5:43-45.
3 Nephi 17:24.
43
3 Nephi 26:14, 16. For a more complete treatment of this subject, see Andrus,
God, Man And The Universe, pp. 323-327, 354-359.
44
See D&C 88:27; Alma 11:45; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation,
Vol. 1, pp. 76-77.
45
Moses 3:9. For a more detailed discussion of this point, see Andrus, op. cit., pp.
320-323.
46
2 Nephi 2:22. (Italics added.)
47
See D&C 29:40-41
48
JD, Vol. 21, p. 323.
49
Parley P. Pratt, Voice of Warning, New Edition (Deseret News Press) p. 114.
50
D&C 88:17-26
51
JD, Vol. 10, p. 175.
52
D&C 121:28-32.
53
D&C 101:32-35.
54
D&C 45:11-12; HC, Vol. 4, p. 210.
42