Joseph Smith says that every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of this world was ordained to that very purpose in the councils of heaven, before this world was. They are the "noble and great ones," spoken of in the Book of Abraham, translated by the Prophet Joseph, who, as well as Abraham, was one of the choice souls of whom the Lord said: "These I will make my rulers." He showed unto Abraham the mysteries of the pre-existence and the glories of the starry heavens. He told him that there was a great planet named Kolob, which was nearest to his throne, and that it revolved once in a thousand years.