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Why Create Dead Planets?

Suppose for a minute you are God and you are going to create a world for your children to inhabit. You need to form a sun to give light and warmth to your world. But for what purpose would you create a bunch of dead planets? Take our Solar System for example. Why would God create Pluto, or Neptune or Mercury ? Do they serve any purpose? Will they be used maybe in some future time?

Why waste the energy of a sun for just one inhabited planet? Why not place three or four planets within the range where life can be sustained?

Planets Dead Create Why

I doubt God would see any of his doing a 'waste' for any of His children, I believe to think so is to undermine our importance as 'Gods in Embryo'. As for the other planets I believe that they do well in telling us the times and seasons. They also act as a special test for those who rigidly believe that the formation of planets and stars can somehow tell more about us and our future that we can from fulfilling our destiny.

Why Create Dead Planets? Studies Doctrine Mormon

From my limited understanding of astronomy and astrophysics, I have come to some conclusions (opinions) about this very subject.

When stars go nova or supernova, they create and spew out massive amounts of "heavy" elements. Within the furnace of a star, basic, simple elements, up to the weight of iron are made as the star ages. But when the sun goes nova, it can reform and create heavier elements such as gold, uranium, etc.

A lot of other materials are also made, being combinations of simpler elements.

In the process of a solar system being formed, various types of planets are formed, which gather the loose material in the system, into compact, coherent pieces. But those planet also have internal processes, that are used to create/refine/distribute other elements and materials. For example, the toxic atmosphere of Venus may be forming some particular minerals that will later be used on another earth.

I also wonder, frequently, if those "useless" planets aren't destined to become the basic materials for future livable planets. Perhaps, someday, a planet or planetoid will crash into Mars, and move it in such a way as to get it into the "life zone" of a sun, where it can be used for the creation of a home for mankind.

Finally, the gravitational pull of all the planets within the solar system may be very important in setting up how the sun works, how our weather works, etc.

In fact, if I am right that our earth wasn't born in this system, but was dropped here after Noah's time, perhaps the presence of those planets was necessary to get us aligned so that we are perfectly positioned so that we can live here.

Finally, keeping in mind that the universe is made up of things to act, and things to be acted upon, I would not be willing (from a Gospel perspective) to call them "dead" planets at all.

Planets Dead Create Why

Nighthawk I can always count on you and Gaucho to come up with something to puzzle me. I have never heard of that before. Please do elaborate on that theory which I believe is still in keeping within the subject.

Planets Dead Create Why

I have heard Earth was created near Kolob and remained there untill the fall. At this time, it took up its present location in this solar system. I am referring to the fall of Adam and Eve and not autumn of cource. I have never heard that it waited until after Noah's time to be placed here.

Why Create Dead Planets?

As JB said -- this is something I've never heard of (but, of course, there is plenty I've not heard of ) So I would also appreciate knowing where to find more about it.

Roz

Why Create Dead Planets

I can't remember where I read or heard it, but I have definitely heard quite a bit about this.

The idea is that after Noah's time, when Babel was building a tower, they were actually trying to reach a specific place or thing. If the earth was still near that planet near Kolob, then they would have been able to see what they were building towards.

The alternative explanation, which I think has even more validity, is that during the time of the flood, while Noah and his family were shut up in the ark, was when the earth was not only moving from Kolob to our star system, but also the continents were broken apart.

I know people who strongly believe that there may be something along the lines of a "brown dwarf" star, moving at faster than the speed of light, that will come along and pick up the earth and carry it back near Kolob. It does make some sense, as the theorized effects of such an action would cause:
earthquakes
massive tidal waves
the moon to turn to blood
the sun to go dark, like sackcloth
the stars to fall, and to all appear to fall out of the sky

Anyway, back to the original topic.

If something like this happened, whether during Noah's time or Adam's, again, it is entirely possible that the presence of the "dead" planets in the solar system could have been necessary to get the earth in the exact right orbit.

Finally, remember that the reality is probably much, MUCH stranger than anything we could ever imagine.

Why Create Dead Planets Mormon Doctrine Studies

I have two contributions to make on this topic.

First, regarding the origin or birth of the planet Earth, it was Brigham Young who stated:

"When the Earth was framed and brought into existence and man was placed upon it, it was near the throne of our Father in heaven. And when man fell . . . the earth fell into space, and took up its abode in this planetary system, and the sun became our light." (Brigham Young, July 19, 1874, JD 17: 143)

Now the fact that the "Earth" was birthed near the "throne of" God has all kinds of theological and scientific ramifications. Teaser--what do you suppose some of these implications might be?

Second, in regards to the purpose of so-called "dead planets," it can be inferred from the scriptures (Genesis 1: 14; Moses 2: 14; Abraham 4: 14) that at least some of these planets are "lights" which were organized to be "for signs and seasons." I suggest that anyone unfamiliar with how the different planets of our solar system serve as "signs" and as "season" become familiar with the writings of the LDS astronomer John Pratt. Go here:

Articles by John Pratt written for non-LDS readers

and

Articles by John Pratt for LDS readers

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Steven Montgomery