Mormonism and “Men on the Moon”

by Jefferson David Tant
Adapted from an unknown author

An unbelievable fact that is not known to most is the fact that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, taught that people lived on the moon. And his successor, Brigham Young, concurred with this.

“The Inhabitants of the Mood,” an LDS publication from 1892 by Oliver B. Huntington, contains the following:

“Nearly all the great discoveries of men in the last half century have, in one way or another, either directly or indirectly, contributed to prove Joseph Smith to be a Prophet.

“As far back as 1837, I know that he said the moon was inhabited by men and women the
same as this earth, and they that lived to a greater age than we do—that they live generally to near the age of 1,000 years.

“He described the men as averaging near six feet in height, and dressing quite uniformly in something near the Quaker style.

“In my Patriarchal blessing, given by the father of Joseph the Prophet, in Kirkland, 1837, I was told that I should preach the gospel before I was 21 years of age, that I should preach the gospel to the inhabitants upon the islands of the sea, and to the inhabitants of the moon, even the planet you can now behold with your eyes.”
[The Young Women’s Journal, p. 263, published by the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association of Zion, 1892, Vol. 3, pp. 263-64.]

Following is a quote from a sermon preached by Brigham Young, Smith’s successor.

“When you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it. It was not made in vain.”
[Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 271, confirming the fact that Mormon Prophet Brigham Young taught the moon was inhabited as well as the sun. This sermon was given by Brigham Young in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on July 24, 1870.]

Mormons today probably would not attempt to defend what their “prophets” taught about the inhabitants of the moon and the sun. But remember, they claim that these men were “prophets of God.” And, of course, our astronauts who walked on the moon didn’t see any sign of the local inhabitants.

Joseph Smith, who claimed the “moon is inhabited” also claimed a personal visitation from God, as well as visits from Christ, Peter, John, and other “glorious personages” from heaven.

The Mormons believe Smith produced three new volumes of Scripture, and also did a revision of the Bible. In all, 800 pages were received by direct revelation from God. [Deseret News, Church Section, July 18, 1970, p. 14.]

Mormons claim that “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it…” [Doctrine and Covenants, 135:3.]

Question: Was Joseph Smith the greatest prophet who ever lived, or was he one of the greatest deceivers who ever lived? It seems evident that, among other things, Smith had a vivid imagination. His mother, Lucy Mack Smith, gives us some insight into his imagination, even before he received the “gold plates.”

“During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and their animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life with them.”
[History of Joseph Smith by his Mother, 1954 edition p. 83.]

I do not deny that Smith and Young were prophets. I believe they were. In fact, the Bible mentions them in various places, as in I John 4:1: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

It is tragic that for over 150 years millions of people throughout the world have been deceived by this man and the church he established -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

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