Kolob

148 Primary Sources

Date
Summary
Jul 1835 - Nov 1835

Joseph defines Kolob in Grammar and Alphabet and called it a "governing fixed star."

May 5, 1841

William I. Appleby calls Kolob a "planet of light."

Mar 1842

Manuscript version of explanations to Facsimile 2; Kolob identified as "nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God".

Mar 15, 1842

Kolob identified as "the residence of God".

Mar 15, 1842

Kolob identified and discussed in 1842 BOA text; said to be near unto God.

Mar 15, 1842 - Apr 1, 1842

Reprint of original 1842 printing of Facsimile 2; Kolob identified as "the celestial, or the residence of God".

Mar 19, 1842

Wilford Woodruff discusses mentions Kolob, seems to call it a planet.

Aug 1842

Parly P. Pratt reprints Abraham 2:19–5:21; portion of Book of Abraham that includes Kolob.

Aug 1842

PPP mentions Kolob, seems to call it a "world."

Feb 1, 1843

JS composes poem for WWP, mentions "council in Kolob" in pre-existence.

1851

Reprint of BOA and Facsimiles in the 1851 first edition of the POGP.

Jul 24, 1851

Vermont Journal reports on speech by Jedediah Grant on 24th of July; compares Brigham with Kolob; calls Kolob a planet.

Sep 30, 1851

W. W. Phelps writes a poem on eternal progression; mentions "sons on Kolob."

1852

J. W. Gunnison mentions Kolob in book on the Mormons; calls it a "great orb."

1852

J. W. Gunnison mentions Kolob in book on the Mormons; calls it a "great orb."

1852

WWP discusses "fixed stars"; identifies Kolob as residence of God.

1852

Brigham identifies Kolob as a planet near God.

May 1, 1852

JWY lists understanding cosmology, including Kolob, as one of the blessings of exaltation.

1853

W. W. Phelps refers to Kolob as the "celestial garden" and "elder world."

May 1853

Orson Pratt cites Facsimile 2 and discusses Kolob.

1854

Brigham Young mentions Kolob, seems to call it a planet.

1854

W. W. Phelps write poem on eternal progression, mentions wanting to return to Kolob.

Jun 3, 1854

Non-LDS newspaper criticizes LDS beliefs, including idea that God dwells on the "planet" Kolob.

Nov 10, 1854

Charles discusses LDS theology; says the "Mormon God" lives on the "planet Kolob."

1855

PPP describes Kolob as a planet or sun.

1855

Anonymous writer mentions Kolob as "planet" where God resides.

Nov 19, 1856

WWP writes poem that evokes Kolob.

Dec 20, 1856

William I. Appleby identifies Kolob as a planet.

Jan 28, 1857

W. W. Phelps writes poem that speculates if Kolob is the Dog star Sirius.

Aug 29, 1857

JT mentions Kolob in connection with pre-existence; identifies it as a planet.

Sep 20, 1857

David John writes poem for Welsh Latter-day Saint periodical, invokes Kolob as place where earth will return.

1858

Robert Richards recalls learning about Kolob, a "distant planet," and that Saints after resurrection would live like in the present world.

1860

WWP reflects on the issue of time in the Bible; discusses Kolob and the contribution of the BOA.

1861

Richard F. Burton summarizes LDS theology, discusses LDS understanding of Kolob.

Sep 8, 1866

OP discusses Kolob, calls it a "world".

1868

C. V. Waite summarizes LDS Theology; calls Kolob a planet.

Jun 2, 1870

"J.C." writes critical article on LDS theology; mentions "planet Kolob" as place where God dwells in Mormon belief.

Nov 24, 1872

OP mentions Kolob in speech, does not identify if it is planet or star.

Dec 29, 1872

Orson Pratt discusses Kolob, calls it a "great central body."

Mar 1, 1873

PC calls Kolob a planet near the Pleiades star system.

Nov 22, 1873

Orson Pratt calls Kolob a "great world."

Jul 11, 1874

Poem by JMcF mentions Kolob in the context of a comet.

1875

FS writes on LDS beliefs about exaltation; says Kolob is "sun of suns" and where gods are exalted.

1875

Brigham Young says earth "fell" from God's presence.

Oct 23, 1877

Salt Lake Daily Herald reports Pratt sermon where he mentions Kolob, which is called a "planet" and "celestial world."

Feb 24, 1879

Goerge Reynolds discusses the astronomy of the BOA; describes Kolob as a "governing planet."

Mar 4, 1879

BDT summarizes "Mormon astronomy," mentions Kolob as star.

Mar 24, 1879

George Reynolds summarizes his understanding of Kolob based on the BOA text; calls Kolob a "star."

Apr 26, 1879

Salt Lake Tribune mentions saints expecting exaltation in Kolob.

May 15, 1879

Boonville Standard mentions Kolob as a "planet" where God dwells.

1882

CVW quotes FDR as saying Kolob is a planet near where God dwells.

1882

JHJ writes a hymn on pre-existence that mentions Kolob, heavenly parents.

1882

JHJ poem that mentions Kolob and relativity of time-keeping.

Sep 15, 1882

WHHS discusses Kolob, calls it a star, speculates on its nature and physics.

Sep 1, 1883

AF calls Kolob a star.

Nov 16, 1884

Charles W. Penrose calls Kolob a "world".

Jun 8, 1886

Orson F. Whitney calls Kolob a "great planet."

1888

George Q. Cannon calls Kolob a star.

1888

Fagerstjerna elaborates on cosmology, naming Kolob as an important star (identified with the star Thuban) and "spiritual sun."

1888

OFW calls Kolob "king of kokaubeam" and a planet.

May 1888

Charles W. Hassler mentions "Kolb" as a "planet" where God resides in LDS theology.

Aug 19, 1888

Orson F. Whitney calls Kolob a planet in discourse on LDS cosmology.

Jan 22, 1889

Newspaper source reports on LDS theology; mentions "planet Kolob" as place of the residence of deity.

Feb 1889

Joseph B. Keeler discusses the cosmology of the BOA; posits that the sun receives light from Kolob near God's presence.

Jan 16, 1891

AJ discusses BOA astronomy; describes Kolob as a "planet."

Jan 16, 1891

AJ discusses astronomy of BOA; mentions "Colob" as a planet.

Sep 1891

Henry W. Naisbitt writes poem that evokes Kolob.

Sep 24, 1893

Julian Ralph reports that Latter-day Saints expects exaltation to be in Kolob.

Aug 12, 1894

Orson F. Whitney delivers discourse, cites BOA on pre-existence and Kolob, calls Kolob a "great planet".

Nov 10, 1894

CDE discusses Kolob, calls it an "orb."

1895

BHR calls Kolob a "star."

Apr 7, 1895

George Q. Cannon calls Kolob a star.

Aug 17, 1895

Newspaper reports on BHR sermon using "If You Could Hie to Kolob" as main text.

Feb 13, 1896

E.O. Taylor mentions Kolob as a "world" where God dwells.

Apr 1, 1896

DSSU publishes material on life of Abraham from Bible and BOA; discusses Kolob, calls it a "governing star" and a planet.

Jul 23, 1896

WKL discusses Kolob, calls it a star, provides graphic illustration of BOA cosmology.

May 20, 1897

Non-LDS newspaper quotes David Utter's discussion on LDS doctrine; mentions Kolob as a star, residence of God, and near the throne of God.

1898

J. D. Gillian summarizes LDS doctrine; identifies Kolob as a "planet or a sun" and near the "home" of God.

1901

Martin Thomas Lamb discusses LDS doctrine; calls Kolob an "immense world."

1904

Orson F. Whitney writes a poem that evokes Kolob, associates it with pre-existence, the stars, etc.

Dec 23, 1905

DEN publishes anonymous article that calls Kolob a "governing orb."

Jun 8, 1907

Orson F. Whitney mentions Kolob in sermon; calls it a "great planet."

1908

John A. Widtsoe discusses the cosmology of the BOA and calls Kolob a "governing star."

1909

Gibbs calls Kolob a "globe."

Jan 1911

IB discusses the cosmology of the BOA, calls Kolob a "sun or star."

Apr 1911

B.H. Roberts summarizes Kolob and astronomy in the BOA; calls Kolob a "great star."

1912

RK and RWK describe Kolob as a "star" and "abode of the gods."

Feb 1913

JMS compares the name Kolob with an Arabic root meaning "to turn."

Mar 1913

Robert C. Webb (James E. Homans) links the name Kolob with the Semitic root KLB, meaning dog, and with the Dog-star Sirius.

Apr 1913

JMS discusses Kolob, says it is a "sun" and a "world."

Apr 1913

Janne M. Sjodahl proposes a Semitic etymology for the word Kolob.

1914

OFW calls Kolob a "governing planet."

May 1916

JEH discusses the cosmology of the BOA; mentions Kolob; classifies it as a star.

1919

Seibel says Kolob is taught at Deseret University (University of Utah); says Kolob is a "great star" at the center of the universe where God lives.

1920

Stuart Martin identifies Kolob as a "planet" upon which "Elohim" resides.

May 1920

A. A. Ramseyer discusses the astronomy in the BOA; identifies Kolob as a "star" that governs other "planets."

1921

Orson F. Whitney identifies Kolob as a planet near the "Celestial Throne."

Jan 10, 1925

Orson F. Whitney calls Kolob a "mighty governing planet."

1926

TWB identifies Kolob as a star, offers an etymology for the name.

Jan 1928

JFS identifies Kolob as a "governing star".

May 1929

JEH identifies Kolob as a "mighty star."

1930

B.H. Roberts discusses astronomy of BOA; calls Kolob a "great star."

Oct 1930

Frederick J. Pack calls Kolob a "planet" where God resides.

1931

Beardsley identifies Kolob as a planet at the center of the solar system.

1936

RCW/JEH discusses possible etymologies for the name Kolob; defines Kolob as a star.

Feb 1945

Millennial Star reports that Kolob is said to be "near" where God dwells.

1951

Arch S. Reynolds discusses Kolob, links it with the Dog Star Sirius.

1951

Milton R. Hunter comments on Kolob, calls it a star, compares it to other stars and constellations.

1954

Lynn A. McKinlay sermonizes on where God lives; says it is at Kolob, a "great planet."

1957

GBA summarizes LDS views on Kolob as location of pre-mortal council.

1958

Bruce R. McConkie identifies Kolob as a planet.

1962

J. Reuben Clark, Jr. identifies Kolob as a governing star.

Apr 1962

Spencer W. Kimball discusses Kolob in General Conference, identifies it as a star.

Apr 4, 1964

WJC mentions Kolob as the place where God dwells.

1965

George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl discuss and define Kolob; calls it a star.

Oct 1, 1966

JFS mentions Kolob, calls it a "giant governing star."

1967

Melvin Alonzo Cook and Melvin Garfield Cook discuss their views on Kolob and its place in the cosmos.

Aug 1969

EMS writes poem about exploring the cosmos, evokes image of Kolob and other heavenly bodies from BOA.

Dec 1969

WTS identifies Kolob as a "great star" near God that "governs" all other planets and stars.

1976

ELW mentions Kolob, a "great stellar giant" and a "central power plant."

1976

ARD connects "planet" Kolob to the throne/presence of God.

1979

MEP summarizes LDS view on Kolob; calls it a planet near the throne of God.

Aug 1979

Ensign identifies GL, executive producer of BSG, as a Church member.

1980

C. Mark Hamilton connects Kolob with astronomical symbolism on the Salt Lake Temple.

1985

Jerald R. Johansen discusses Kolob in his POGP commentary; calls it a "great star".

Jul 1991

Poem by PMA evokes imagery of Kolob.

1992

David A. Reed and John R. Farkas criticize LDS beliefs about Kolob; identify it as a star.

Nov 8, 1994

Bruce Christensen calls Kolob a planet.

Mar 1997

Andrew Skinner compares Kolob with characteristics of Jesus Christ in the Ensign.

2000

CN calls Kolob a star, and a "planet-star" where we once lived.

2000

Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig J. Ostler compare Kolob with Jesus; identify Kolob as a star.

2001

JG and SDR discuss a possible etymology for the name Kolob.

Feb 2001

Andrus discusses Kolob; relates it to Church and family hierarchies.

2003

MDR argues that Kolob derives from Semitic root meaning "heart, center".

Feb 2004

JST equates Kolob with "God's home".

2005

Hilton argues Kolob is at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

2005

Rhodes and Moody offer a scientific explanation for the cosmology of the BOA, including Kolob.

2007

Jay B. Holberg reviews ancient sources that identify Sirius as the dog star.

2010

Hugh Nibley and Michael D. Rhodes give proposed etymology for Kolob.

2012

ER notes the connection between Kolob and Kobol on BSG.

2013

IBN notes connection between Kolob and Kobol in BSG.

2014

MW discusses the "Kolob system," includes graphic illustration.

Nov 21, 2014

JB reports that GL incorporated LDS ideas/themes, including Kolob, into TV show "Battlestar Galactica."

2016

Willmore writes fictional account of two "Kolobians" visiting a young boy to discuss religion.

2017

Church manual discusses Kolob; calls it a star; says it can be seen as a symbol for JC.

2017

Church manual discusses Kolob; calls it a star; says Kolob can be compared to Jesus Christ.

Oct 29, 2019

POGP Central website overviews arguments for origin of the name Kolob.

Feb 22, 2022

Lyrics to "I Believe" in the BOM Musical mention Kolob.