The Truth About Mormon Theology: Stars, Planets, and Black Holes

I grew up with a strong faith in Mormon theology. And lately, I have been thinking about it a fair amount. So I decided to do some math and come up with some probabilities relating to the facts behind Mormon theology.

First, let me make clear my current beliefs: I don’t know—that’s the best way to describe them. While I often express strong feelings toward particular doctrines or situations, I try to approach these topics in good faith. I am not Mormon or affiliated with any other religion.

Many would assume that all the latest discoveries in science would discredit Mormon theology. After I ran these numbers, I actually got a little bit scared that I might be on the wrong track and maybe should go back to believing in it.

Not totally, but you get my point.

If I was not very familiar with the old Mormon teachings, this would be a harder argument to make. I have to say, the modern church throws some big questions, and so does every single faction.

But let’s jump right in. First, we will go over how many Earth-like habitable stars there are, and then we will dive into some details about Mormon theology.

Is Mormon Theology Even Possible?

The Moon doesn’t have people. Nor does any planet in our solar system that orbits the Sun.

Mormon theology teaches that there are millions of Gods, each ruling—some one world, and some millions of worlds—all according to their capacity and advancement.

But no planets we see have people?

I want to give you some perspective. There is an estimated 200 billion planets in our galaxy, the Milky Way.

As of recent astronomical observations, we have directly observed and cataloged approximately 200 billion galaxies using powerful telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Yeah, 200 billion galaxies.

Current estimates suggest the universe contains 2 trillion galaxies or more. This estimate comes from extrapolating data collected from deep-field observations, which show that most of the universe’s galaxies are too faint or distant to detect with current technology.

Now let’s get into some mind-blowing numbers.

How Many Stars Are Habitable in the Milky Way?

The Milky Way has an estimated 200 billion stars, many of which are sun-like. Of those, about 140 billion likely have planets. Scientists estimate that 1 in 5 stars could have planets in the “habitable zone” where liquid water might exist. That’s around 28 billion stars with potentially habitable planets.

But not all habitable-zone planets are Earth-like. They need the right size, atmosphere, and conditions for life. This reduces the number significantly. Optimistic estimates suggest that the Milky Way could host 2.8 billion Earth-like planets capable of supporting life.

If you are Mormon of any kind, it would be easy to assume most of the 28 billion estimated Earth-like planets are habitable. Or you could assume they are “works in progress.”

While this number seems large, it’s still a fraction of the total stars. This highlights the unique conditions Earth needed to support life.

Now imagine being a God to 2.8 billion or more planets. No wonder Jesus Christ is running late. Even if it was just ten of them, it would be a serious task.

Maybe we’re just in a big polygamous family, and if we had single parents, we’d get God down here a bit more often!

How Many Habitable Stars Are in the Universe?

The universe contains an estimated 2 trillion galaxies, each with about 200 billion stars on average. That’s roughly 400 sextillion stars (a 4 followed by 23 zeros).

If about 1 in 5 stars has planets in the habitable zone, then there could be around 80 sextillion stars with potentially habitable planets.

Focusing on Earth-like planets—those with the right size, atmosphere, and conditions for life—we might narrow it down to 8 sextillion Earth-like planets in the known universe.

This staggering number points to an almost incomprehensible scale of possibility, offering both wonder and deeper questions about humanity’s place in creation.

Scientists estimate these numbers by studying the observable universe, which is determined by the distance light has traveled since the Big Bang. However, this is theoretical and subject to ongoing research.

With what we know, it is highly possible that the universe is way bigger than we can comprehend. Just as the Earth rotates the Sun, the Sun rotates our galaxy, and our galaxy is traveling in the universe, so might universe after universe be rotating in bigger and bigger clusters. Who knows? We just can’t see that far.

It is strongly believed our universe is expanding, forming new stars at an astonishingly fast speed.

The Mormon View

Just to be clear, Mormons—and I mean LDS or any faction of it generally—believe that they are striving to become Gods. A few quotes from early Mormon leaders:

• “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret… you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves.” – Joseph Smith
• “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.” – Pearl of Great Price
• “How many Gods there are I do not know; but there are many, and they are great, and they have created worlds without number.” – Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 309

So very early on, the early Mormon leaders said there were innumerable stars and the Gods created them.

Einstein’s Theory vs. Mormon Theology

If Gods travel from world to world, create worlds, and manipulate universes, is that even possible?

Maybe it is in a spiritual form or energy we don’t understand.

Einstein calculated that the energy required to accelerate an object increases as its speed increases. As the object approaches the speed of light, the energy required grows without bound. To reach the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be needed, which is not physically possible.

Einstein’s theory of relativity has been supported by numerous experiments and observations, including the study of planetary motion and gravitational effects.

This is going to sound a bit crazy, but early Mormon leaders believed there is an energy far superior to anything we know. They believed this is the governing power of the universe and is needed for all life.

The teaching is, once you gain a fullness of this power, you become a God.

Many in the LDS faith consider this a “spiritual thing,” separate from physics. But if you study the early Mormon leaders, they believed this was a physical element, far superior to any other element. And they also believed if you are a God, you can travel as fast as it can, which is basically infinitely fast.

Here’s a quote from Parley P. Pratt:

“This same Holy Spirit is … so refined and subtle in its essence, that it is capable of extending to, and being present with, each and every of the countless millions of worlds, with all their vast systems of organization, revolutions, and changes. It is the law by which they are governed; the agency by which they are moved; the power by which they exist. … By this divine agent, persons in the remotest spheres can communicate with each other in an instant, conveying their ideas ‘with a velocity far exceeding the tardy motions of electricity or the telegraph.’”

Keep in mind this was before all the modern-day scientific research. I assume if these men knew of all the research done today, it would only strengthen their beliefs.

What Is Eternity?

According to Einstein’s theory, time is dependent on speed and gravity.

So we can ask this question: Within Mormon theology, does God exist outside linear time? The teachings say God lives forever. But it might be that time is just like gravity—all relative to magnetic pull and speed.

We can think of Mormon theology in more of a modern scientific way, where all things are eternal, and only to us is time relative. Or does God live on time that He can manage everything relative to His creations, and they move at a speed He can manage them?

This could also give a whole different meaning to the other planets and what they are there for.

Sons of Perdition vs. Black Holes

Mormon doctrine teaches that sons of perdition will go into an eternal hell.

Did you know almost every large galaxy has a black hole? Where you cannot escape if you go in?

Okay, now I have you worried. I guarantee if Mormon theology is real, those black holes are hell.

And I sure don’t want to get deposited into one of them lol.

Did you know, according to Einstein’s theory, time behaves unpredictably near a black hole’s singularity, effectively ceasing to exist as we understand it? I am so scared.

Oh, and don’t make any decision out of fear, or you’ll end up in one of those black holes.

Now you are fearing that you will fear, and you have already started going in lol.

I’m messing with you, just like Mormon theology does.

Science and Mormon Theology

While it seems like science hurts religion, it actually can strengthen one’s faith in Mormon theology.

I wish someone would figure out the science behind the “Holy Spirit.”

You probably think I am joking, but I actually believe in this. Not especially in the framework of the Mormon religion, although I am sure my perspective was built from that.

I believe in this higher power and would like to know more about it scientifically. I really do believe it is the governing power of the universe. And perhaps everyone’s views or imaginations about it are somewhat wrong, tied into different ideologies or religions, but I believe it is real and governs the universe.

I try to align myself with it. I just feel better when I do.

Conclusion

If you are a strong believer in Mormonism, whether LDS or another faction, these things can both strengthen your faith and bring doubts.

The planetary systems favor Mormon theology. They didn’t even know there were so many back in the 1800s when Mormonism was established.

Black holes are definitely hell.

Time’s relativity to speed and gravity are a fascinating way to think about eternity and God’s time. One day to Him could go by extremely fast but be slow to us, or vice versa. Or maybe time is no different than space to God.

My reason for looking at the stars and Einstein’s theory through a lens of Mormon theology was not to decide if I should join the LDS. But if I was thinking about joining, I would consider this.

Before I left the FLDS, I had all these considerations in mind. And I left despite them. I did think through this, though not the detailed numbers and Einstein’s theory.

It has taken me a while to get my mind wrapped around the idea that time can speed up and slow down. It is just so crazy.

I am writing this simply because I had thought through it before I left the FLDS and thought others might find it interesting.

As I stated at the beginning of this article, my stance on religion remains: I don’t know.

You would also enjoy this article titled: Sex, Religion, And Justification: The Prophet And Polygamy

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