May 14,1961

[Ichingcarpenter]

Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith announces to stake conference in Honolulu:

"We will never get a man into space. This earth is man's sphere and it was never intended that he should get away from it." Smith, the Twelve's president and next in succession as LDS President, adds:

"The moon is a superior planet to the earth and it was never intended that man should go there. You can write it down in your books that this will never happen."

In May 1962, he privately instructs that this view be taught to "the boys and girls in the Seminary System."

First Man in space On 12 April 1961, aboard the Vostok 3KA-3 (Vostok 1), Gagarin became both the first human to travel into space,

On 20 July 1969 U.S. Astronauts are first men to walk on moon. Six months later Joseph Fielding Smith becomes church president.


Sep 14,1971 - Apollo 15 astronauts present to President Joseph Fielding Smith a Utah state flag that has traveled with them to the moon.

[irisblue]

1. nice touche with the flag n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. He said this a Month after Yuri got in space

So he thought that was a hoax too

this is the grand nephew of the founder of the religion

[Posteritatis]

7. A lot of people seem to miss the whole Gagarin thing

I've seen a few too many claims that Shepard or Glenn were the first people in space, anyway.

[RagAss]

11. yeh...and Russians weren't allowed to go to church....or own guns...

we were force fed lots of bullshit growing up in the 60's.

[geckosfeet]

2. funny how things work out...

What was with 'the moon is a superior planet' comment? Makes zero sense - along with the rest of his nonsense.

Interesting history mini-lesson though - thanks for posting.

[Posteritatis]

8. Mormon cosmology can get pretty elaborate. (nt)

[drm604]

3. So LDS members believe that the moon landings were a hoax?

Anyone know?

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. Ask Newt? he probably

Has the answer at his moon base.

[tularetom]

5. This nutty cult has grown to its current size in less than 200 years

Just proves we haven't advanced very far past tossing virgins into volcanoes.

[tridim]

9. THEY haven't advanced, not "We".

[Ron Obvious]

10. Religious acceptance of radical new ideas follows a standard trajectory

First, "These ideas conflict with our holy books! They are heretical!"
Second, "Burn the heretic!"
Third, embarrassed silence as the new ideas become increasingly obvious and accepted.
Fourth, "Our prophets and holy books never actually said that, you know"
Fifth, "Interpreted correctly, our holy books and prophets actually predicted this!"
Sixth, "Science has just proven what we've known all along".

And then the next new idea comes along, wash, rinse, and repeat.