Naturally, this triggers curiosity and speculation on how the universe is organized. Does "plurality of gods" mean each god has his own universe, or does each god merely have his own galaxy within the existing universe? A book I recently read provides a logical and persuasive speculative answer to this question. The book is entitled "The Kolob Theorem", and the author, BYU Professor Dr. Lynn M. Hilton, suggests that our Heavenly Father's kingdom is limited to the Milky Way galaxy rather than encompassing the entire universe. On page 19 of the 98-page book, Dr. Hilton makes it abundantly clear that his ideas are only theories, resulting from his attempts to study the scriptures and astronomy, as suggested by the Lord, and to try to understand them at least in part. He pretends no revelation, but awaits the glorious day, spoken of by the Lord to Joseph Smith. This means "The Kolob Theorem" is not to be considered an official publication of the LDS Church.
The book was previously online at the link specified below, but is now suddenly unavailable. No explanation is provided for its removal:
-- http://hickmanmuseum.homestead.com/the_kolob_theorem.pdf
However, I discovered two other substitute links at which the entire PDF of the book is still available:
-- http://ebookbrowse.com/the-kolob-theorem-pdf-d252542365
-- http://www.rogerknecht.com/uploads/2011/12/The_Kolob_Theorem.pdf
The book can also be purchased through Amazon. Here are some of the more significant findings; chapter 14 of the book contains brief synopses of each chapter:
(1). Our Heavenly Father's kingdom is the Milky Way galaxy: Each god has his own galaxy, and all galaxies are similarly organized. The inner circle is the celestial zone or kingdom, the middle circle is the terrestrial zone or kingdom, and the outer circle is the telestial zone or kingdom (see Chapter 6). Lanes of space dust may separate one zone from another. Dr. Hilton opines that the same pattern of organization is replicated in every galaxy. But he does not speculate on who might have organized the universe itself, or how its boundaries have been determined.
(2). Celestial Zone: Populated with celestialized worlds which have received their final glory, as well as worlds being prepared for spirits about to embark into mortality.
(3). Terrestrial Zone: Populated with terrestrial worlds which have achieved their final glory, as well as worlds transitioning from celestial glory down to terrestrial glory for the habitation of mortals. Dr. Hilton believes the planet upon which Enoch and his translated city lies is in this zone.
(4). Telestial Zone: Populated with telestial worlds which have achieved their final glory, as well as worlds currently populated by mortals.
(5). Outer Darkness: Dr. Hilton believes that Outer Darkness, the repository for Satan and his hosts as well as mortals judged to be sons of perdition, may lie outside the galaxy and be shielded from light by a curtain of space dust. He speculates that it could be a dark planet, but is uncertain whether it is immediately outside the galaxy or out in deep intergalactic space.
(6). The Geographical Applicability of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ: In Chapter 9, Dr. Hilton opines that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, although occurring only on our earth, is applicable to every earth that was experiencing its mortal phase at the time of Christ's ministry. Other sources opine that Christ was sent to our earth not only because it is the current residence of Satan and his hosts, but also because it is the only earth wicked enough to put Him to death.
(7). The Progression of our Earth: In Chapter 8, Dr. Hilton says that our planet earth was first formed in an orbit around Kolob in the celestial core of the galaxy. It migrated out through the terrestrial zone (the Garden of Eden period) for a 1,000 year period, and then took up its present position in an orbit around the sun for its mortal or telestial probation. The earth will return by being pulled away from the sun, passing again through the terrestrial ring (the Millennial period), and finally regaining its original glorious orbit about Kolob in the celestial kingdom. Dr. Hilton speculates that the cataclysmic geological disturbances expected just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be attributable to the earth leaving its present location and beginning its transition back to the terrestrial zone.
Dr. Hilton has generously made online copies of this book free of charge. He invites those who would like to show financial gratitude to send a tax-free contribution of any size to the following address:
Middle East Foundation
Treasurer’s Office
1905 North Quincy Street
Arlington, Virginia, 22207, USA
Analysis: This book is absolute dynamite. While not every conclusion in this book is supported by formal LDS canon, there is nothing in this book that conflicts with canon. This book is just another reason why, despite being inactive in the Church for over 40 years, I could never walk away or resign from the Church. This is intellectually captivating; it shows that our possibilities are limitless. How could one leave the Church after reading a book like this? This has been a high-octane testimony builder for me, in the same category as "The First Two Thousand Years" and "Life Everlasting".
Other discussion of this book: This book has also been discussed at LDS Freedom Forum and Mormon Discussions and LDS.net and a more recent discussion on Mormon Dialogue. A copy of the entire book is embedded after the jump:
| THE KOLOB THEOREM pdf |
| Found at ebookbrowse.com |
So would this be considered the Limited Universe Theory?
ReplyDeleteUnadulterated BS. That is all.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 3:16 P.M. -- That could be another way of putting it, although I would have to read up more on that specific theory.
ReplyDeletePure speculative nonsense. What rubbish. Where a Latter-day Saint would get such ideas is beyond me.
ReplyDelete