We know through modern revelation that there are other inhabited planets. Have you ever thought about how exciting it would be to visit other worlds? Even the thought of communicating with other worlds is fascinating. We could ask them what diseases they have cured and what technologies they have developed. We could also ask them about their belief in deity and whether they have heard of the Atonement. It would be exciting to compare notes.

Chances are that such communication will never take place because of the vast distances separating us from exosolar planets (planets outside our solar system). Until we discover Star Trek Warp Core technology that enables us to propel humans at speeds exceeding the speed of light (something that is theoretically impossible according to Relativity), back and forth visitations are improbable. And until we develop a faster than light form of communication, active 2-way interstellar communication is also improbable. Other worlds are just too far away.

The Lord positioned his populated worlds far apart for a wise purpose. Can you imagine how disruptive it would be to the Lord’s plan if we contacted other telestial, mortal worlds like ours? They might tell us that their prophets are saying that the Son of God was crucified on another world. We might reply, “Yes. That happened here 2000 years ago!”

Or what might happen if we contacted a post-judgment telestialized or terrestialized world? They might say something like: “You guys better keep the commandments or you will end up where we are.” I am not even going to speculate on contacting a celestialized world because I don’t think it is possible. Imagine if we tried to reach a celestialized planet by space travel. Our spaceships would burn up on approach because it could not withstand the glory of a celestialized world. And if we tried to communicate with them they would know it beforehand and jam our incoming transmissions.  

Ok, I am having fun with this, but the point is that the Lord doesn’t want us to know much about His other worlds right now. When the Lord showed Moses this earth, Moses asked the Lord to tell him things “concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof.” The Lord agreed. Then the Lord showed Moses other worlds which He had created. Moses got a little greedy and asked the Lord to tell him things concerning other worlds in “the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.” The Lord replied with a gentle rebuke: “Moses, my son, I will [only] speak unto thee concerning this earth upon which thou standest.” In His infinite wisdom the Lord withheld information about other worlds.

Our knowledge about other worlds will likely be limited while in mortality. I am fine with that. When the Lord returns He will reveal mysteries in the heavens and earth. I can wait. Until then we will have to rely on our limited scientific knowledge and imagination.
 


Comments

Stan

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 1:40:26 pm

Our limited knowledge of other worlds is expanding at an exciting rate, but I agree it will take a very long time, if ever, to have intimate knowledge. We hardly even know anything about Mars when compared to our own world. There are some very exciting instruments and new findings regarding other planets these days. Even Earth like planets.

One thing I think about from time to time is the abject violence of the Universe. If the vast majority of star systems are intended to harbor life it seems that would be rather difficult to achieve. Most star systems are binary systems which somewhat limits the ability for planets to have a stable orbit. Take a look at "Death from the Skies" a tongue in cheek look at Astronomy as it relates to distructive elements to our Universe.

This is one of those stories that probably shouldn't be repeated... but I can't resist! I friend of mine told the story of his mission president speculating that UFOs are space tourists coming to see the planet where Christ lived and died. Which brings up an interesting point, was our humble planet the only one of possibly trillions of planets to which Christ came to live and die? Have we placed ourselves back at the center of the Universe despite Galileo's work? =:)

 

Dave C.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 2:00:02 pm

I agree that in some respects the universe looks like a hostile place. Supernova, black holes, multiple star systems, etc. It is kind of a counter argument to the anthropic principle which is that the universe expanded at exactly the right rate to allow the emergence of the physical universe and life.

"Which brings up an interesting point, was our humble planet the only one of possibly trillions of planets to which Christ came to live and die? Have we placed ourselves back at the center of the Universe despite Galileo's work."

I love it! I had a good laugh from that comment.

 

larryco_

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 5:03:18 pm

One of my favorite LDS cartoons (Bagley or Grondal?) showed an LDS missionary arguing with an alien. In the caption, the missionary says "He has a body of flesh and bones", while the alien says "He has a body of slime and scales!"

 

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