[Sidenote: Joseph Smith taught that all heavenly bodies are in motion.] Joseph Smith was doubtlessly impressed with the beauty of the starry heavens, and, in common with all men of poetical nature, allowed his thoughts to wander into the immensity of space. However, he had no known opportunity of studying the principles of astronomy, or of becoming familiar with the astronomical questions that were agitating the thinkers of his day. Naturally, very little is said in his writings that bears upon the planetary and stellar constitution of the universe; yet enough to prove that he was in perfect harmony with the astronomical views developed since his day. First, he believed that stellar bodies are distributed throughout space. "And worlds without number have I created."[A] "And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in which there is no kingdom."[B] He is further in harmony with modern views in that he claims that stars may be destroyed, and new ones formed. "For, behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power."[C] "And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come."[D] [Footnote A: Book of Moses, 1:33.] [Footnote B: Doctrine and Covenants, 88:37.] [Footnote C: Book of Moses, 1:35.] [Footnote D: Doctrine and Covenants, 1:38.] At the time that Joseph Smith wrote, there was considerable discussion as to whether the laws of the solar system were effective with the stars. The Prophet had no doubts on that score, for he wrote, "And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions."[A] [Footnote A: Doctrine and Covenants, 88:38.] Likewise, his opinions concerning the motions of celestial objects were very definite and clear. "He hath given a law unto all things by which they move in their times and seasons; and their courses are fixed; even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets. The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also giveth their light, as they roll upon their wings in glory, in the midst of the power of God."[A] [Footnote A: Doctrine and Covenants, 88:43, 45.] In another place the same thought is expressed. "The sun, moon or stars; all the times of their revolutions; all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed."[A] [Footnote A: Doctrine and Covenants, 121:30, 31.] The two revelations from which these quotations are made, were given to the Prophet in 1832 and 1839 respectively, many years before the fact that all celestial bodies are in motion was understood and accepted by the world of science. [Sidenote: Joseph Smith taught that the solar system is only one of many--in advance of the astronomers of his day.]