Editor’s Note:
On 30 April 2002 FAIR received an e-mail from Mr. Abanes, in which he indicated that he had visited these pages on the Web site. He complimented us on doing a good job, and found the pages very interesting. He also felt “the pages probably will be helpful to many individuals, Mormon and non-Mormon alike.”
Mr. Abanes requested that his statement concerning Kolob be corrected. While the transcription from the radio program is accurate, he mistakenly described the Mormon concept of Kolob. In the words of Mr. Abanes:
This is indeed what I said, but it is a clear error on my part to anyone who knows anything about KOLOB. I misspoke at this point due to my attempts at writing notes to Hank, trying not to spill my coffee, and adjusting my microphone–all while trying to answer the question. I was not even aware that I had phrased my answer in this way. I cleared up the error with many LDS persons on the “Zion’s Lighthouse” message board several weeks ago when I was asked about it. I am well aware of Kolob and the teachings about it, according to LDS authorities and in Mormon writings.
We appreciate Mr. Abanes writing to us to clarify his statements.
CALLER:
But back to the Kolob thing, I can’t find anything very substantial and I’m a little bit intimidated to go ‘well you believe there’s some planet out there’ when I’m not sure and I just don’t want to sound kind of goofy ‘cuz its kind of goofy sounding.
RICHARD ABANES:
Right. I’ll tell you exactly where to find that O.K. Basically, Mormons believe that during the pre-existence they all lived on a planet named Kolob where one day roughly translates into a thousand earth-years. This can be found in the book Mormon Doctrine by Bruce McConkie who was an Apostle of the Church.
The Truth about Kolob and the Pre-Existence:
- Premortal existence—Critics charge that the LDS doctrine of a “premortal existence” is pagan, unchristian, or unbiblical, and therefore false. (Link)
- Kolob—What is Kolob? I’ve heard that Mormons believe God lives there. (Link)
- Did God come from another planet that he peopled with his wife?, “Mormon Answers” to Questions About LDS Beliefs: Do Mormons Believe in Weird Science Fiction Stuff? by Jeff Lindsay
