This is a video of Jani Radebaugh’s presentation on “The Outer Solar System: A Window to the Creative Breadth of Divinity” at the Science & Mormonism: Cosmos, Earth & Man symposium which took place on November 9, 2013.
This is also available as an audio podcast, and will be included in the podcast feed. You can listen by pressing the play button or download the podcast below:
Podcast: Download (Duration: 28:52 — 9.9MB)
Interesting presentation!
In the scientific search for life in the solar system it is assumed that life begins spontaneously. However, if we follow the doctrine we find that life begins when God creates it. In the doctrine we learn that the purpose of the earth and its creation is so that there may be a place for the children of God to dwell (Abraham 3:24). So, we should not expect to find extra-terrestrial life in our solar system unless God is preparing that planet to become an inhabitable place for his children.
Also, with the creation of our own earth there were several creative periods. According to the record, life was not placed on earth until the land and the seas were divided and there was liquid surface water. Assuming the same pattern would be followed in the creation of other earths, and there no other such planet in our solar system, it is highly unlikely that we will ever discover extra-terrestrial life in our solar system.