Comparison of Alcyone & Jehovah, and Kolob & Elohim
Published by Don McAreavy in Mormonism & Jehovah's Witnesses · Monday 09 Mar 2026 · 6:45
Tags: Star, Gazing
Tags: Star, Gazing
Sources: Various
The Star System Where "God Lived": A Forgotten History
(Jehovah's Witness Rendition)
Thy Kingdom Come
(Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 3, Page 327, 1886)
“Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be ‘the midnight throne’ in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe.”
Did you know that for over 60 years, the Watchtower leadership of the Jehovah’s Witnesses believed that the literal throne of Almighty God was located in a specific star cluster?
The Pleiades Star System and specifically the star Alcyone was considered the center of the universe.
Why did they believe this?
* Job 38:31: They interpreted the verse "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades?" as a coded hint from God about His location.
* "The Midnight Throne": Early Watchtower publications (like the Studies in the Scriptures) claimed that the Pleiades was the "pivot" around which the entire universe revolved.
* Scientific "Confirmation": At the time, some astronomers wrongly believed the Pleiades was the center of the galaxy. The Watchtower used this to "prove" their spiritual claims.
When did it change?
This wasn't just a passing comment—it was official doctrine printed in Watchtower publication and even reflected in the design of their older buildings. It wasn't until 1953 (in the November 15th issue of The Watchtower) that they finally abandoned the idea, stating “that the Pleiades should no longer be viewed as the literal seat of God.”
This matter was further clarified in the 1957 Watchtower:
“Some attribute striking qualities to these constellations or star groups and on the basis of such they then offer private interpretations of Job 38:31, 32…. Their views are not always sound from the standpoint of astronomy, and when viewed scripturally they are completely without foundation.…….
Pleiades can no longer be considered the center of the universe, and it would be unwise for us to try to fix God’s throne as being at a particular spot in the universe.”
Why this matters:
It serves as a reminder that "new light" often involves moving away from ideas that were once taught as absolute, "scientific" biblical truth. It also shows how early religious movements often tried to blend the emerging science of the Victorian era with their interpretation of Scripture. History is often stranger than fiction!
Book of Abraham 3:2-3 on Kolob
(Mormon Rendition)
“And I saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto the throne of God; and there were many great ones which were near unto it; And the Lord said unto me; These are the governing ones; and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for I am the Lord thy God; I have set this one to govern all those which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest.
In an explanation of an Egyptian hypocephalus that was part of the Joseph Smith Papyri, Smith interpreted one set of hieroglyphics as representing: Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God.
“The Mystery of Mormonism,”
By Stuart Martin
London: Odhams Press, 1920, page 269
Found in the B.H. Roberts Foundation Website
“Joseph Smith, the first Mormon prophet, stands next to Christ (Smith now being one of the Gods of his generation), and Christ stands next to Adam. Above the latter is Jehovah, and above Jehovah is Elohim, who is the highest God of whom we in this world have any knowledge. Elohim lives in the planet Kolob, which is near the centre of our system; it revolves on its axis once in a thousand years—hence the biblical statement that "a thousand years are but a day in Thy house."
Concerning Kolob, It’s Unclear
“Is Kolob a star or planet?” It’s Unclear
Kolob is a celestial body mentioned in the Book of Abraham and in Facsimile 2. It is either a star or planet, a “great” and “governing” celestial object, it is “near unto” God and “nigh unto the Throne of God.” It was used to tell relative time and was associated with creation.
“Did we live on Kolob in the pre-existence?” It’s Unclear
In the early twentieth century, Orson F. Whitney wrote a poem depicting Kolob as the location of the pre-mortal council. Some other church leaders have also taught this, but the Book of Abraham doesn’t explicitly say.
“Isn’t Kolob just a symbol for Christ” Possibly?
Some Latter-day Saint writers have drawn a symbolic connection between Kolob and Jesus Christ, but the Book of Abraham itself doesn’t seem to make this connection explicit. The text seems to describe Kolob as if it were a literal celestial body.
“Do people live on Kolob?” It’s Unclear
Some early Latter-day Saints seemed to hold this view. Brigham Young mentioned on one occasion there being inhabitants on Kolob and other “distant planets.” Others taught that Kolob had inhabitants but did not specify if that’s where souls return to after death. The book of Abraham isn’t clear on this.
“Did the earth fall from Kolob’s orbit or the presence of God after the Fall of Adam and Eve?” It’s Unclear
The Book of Abraham isn’t explicit on this. However, Brigham Young and John Taylor did teach this concept.
“Do we know where Kolob is?” No
Its most commonly associated with the star Sirius it’s also sometime associated with other stars or star patterns, like Thuban (Alpha Draconis) or the Pleiades star cluster, or even placed at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. There is no official doctrine on where Kolob is or otherwise what kind of celestial object it may be.
“Has Kolob influenced Latter-day Saint culture?” Yes
Latter-day Saints have used Kolob as a source of inspiration for poems, and hymns. One author even used Kolob as the basis for a 2016 Graphic novel.
“Did Kolob inspire Battle Star Galactica?” Seems Like It
Glen A. Larson, an executive producer for the sci-fi TV show Battle Star Galactica, was an active Latter-day Saint. He reportedly “Infused his series mythology with too many Mormon references to ignore.” Including a planet called Kobol and other Latter-day Saint themes and concepts.
“Why do people make fun of Kolob so much?”
It is a strange concept. For example, in the Book of Mormon musical song “I Believe,” it’s sung: “I believe that God lives on a planet called Kolob! I believe that Jesus has his own planet as well.”
“But it is weird, right” Yes
The Kolob idea draws heavily from the Book of Abraham which is within the Standard Works of the Mormon Church.
This is an Egyptian Funeral Text that accompanied four mummies that Joseph Smith bought to “translate.”
It is a book of breathings for a pagan Egyptian priest by the name of Hor, and has nothing to do with Abraham.
This is the biggest fraud palmed off on the Latter-day Saints and yet the Mormon Church continues to print this lie and present it as “Scripture.”
