The Wonder of our Universe

We've all talked from time to time about the universe and how immense and wondrous it is. Some of us have read the book the Kolob Theorem, and have pondered our own Milky Way Galaxy, which is just one of billions of other galaxies in our Universe. I continue to be amazed with how small we are in comparison to the billions and billions of stars in our Universe, and yet our Heavenly Father instills in us our greatness and importance.

Throughout history, the Lord has opened the eyes of the prophets, and have allowed them to gaze into the Universe and see the immensity of it. They knew that creation goes on and on, and that there is no space in which there is not a kingdom.

To Moses he 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." (Moses 1:38)

"And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten." (Moses 1:31-33)

To Enoch: "And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, is would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thous are there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou are just; thou are merciful and kind forever." (Mose 7:30)

To the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said: "And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or lesser kingdom." (D&C 88:36-38) (This quote could be a whole new discussion; maybe for another time) To me, it is hard to comprehend the size and scope of God's creations, because they have no end.

And yet, we have the promise, as we remain faithful, that "all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (D&C 84:38)

 I've collected some facts about the Universe in which we dwell, which to me, boggles the mind:

• Our Milky Way Galaxy is approximately 100,000 light years in diameter. To understand how really big 100,000 light years are, consider this: Light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles a second or 700 million miles an hour. And we are only one of billions of galaxies.
• Our Milky Way Galaxy has approximately 400 billion stars (Suns) and it is estimated by astronomers that there are as many as 500 billion other galaxies in the universe.
• As quoted to prophets on the earth by the Lord, there are more stars than all of the grains of sand on earth.
• Most of the elements found in the human body originated in stars; we are literally made of stardust. Or to put it another way, the earth was made from other planets and stars, and we were made of the dust of the earth.
• Our Universe is expanding and growing. The galaxies are moving away from each other, allowing room for the creation of more galaxies. Thus, as we are faithful, we will have kingdoms of our own.

So, think about the great blessings and promises that await each of us, as we are faithful, grow and develop in the Gospel, that we can have worlds without end that will provide a place for our offspring. It's kind of hard to understand, but it is what awaits us.

Love,

Dad