Space is Awesome!

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved space. Stars, planets, moons—just the vastness of it all. I remember standing under a clear night sky, staring at the Milky Way, completely flabbergasted at what lay beyond. One of the things I’ve always loved about space is its scale—how unbelievably massive everything is. The distances, the sizes, the power of stars exploding into supernovas. And then there’s the beauty. 

When the Hubble Telescope started releasing photos while I was in elementary school, I was stunned. Those colorful, otherworldly images made space feel like a majestic work of art. Nebulae, white dwarfs, black holes, comets, neutron stars—each one fascinating in its own way.

Here are just a few fun facts that continue to blow my mind: 

• New stars and solar systems are born from the remnants of exploded stars. That means every atom in our bodies originated in a star. We’re literally made of stardust. 
• Our sun is only one of hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way, and the Milky Way is just one of hundreds of billions of galaxies in the observable universe. 
• Not long ago, scientists thought planetary systems were rare. Now we believe nearly every star we can see likely has at least one planet. That’s trillions upon trillions of stars, most with planets—some possibly hosting life.

God is the Creator and Did it For You

This brings me to Moses 1, where Moses speaks with God face to face and sees an astounding vision of God’s creations. God tells him, “My works are without end… and worlds without number have I created.” He goes on to say, “All things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.” Despite the grandeur of His creations, God’s focus is clear: “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

That’s the heart of what I want to share: The same God who created galaxies beyond number is your Father. He knows you. He loves you. With an incomprehensible, eternal, never-dying love. Everything He does—creating worlds, orchestrating the universe—it’s all for you. Of all the titles of glory and honor, He has asked us to call Him “Father.”

2 Nephi 26:24 tells us, “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world.” And how much does He love the world? So much that He gave His Son. So much that Christ willingly laid down His life. In fact, Matthew 26 describes Christ praying in Gethsemane three times, suffering intensely. I remember a fitness class I took in school—it was miserable the first time. When the coach told us to do it again, I dreaded it. Christ knew what was coming, and still, He went back. He didn’t turn away from the pain. He embraced it—for you.

God Knows and Loves You Personally

And He doesn’t just love the world in a broad, abstract way—He loves you, personally. When Heavenly Father appeared to Joseph Smith, the first word He said was “Joseph.” He called him by name. He does the same with each of us.

Let me share a personal story. I met my wife later than most people expect in my culture. I was 30. Before that, I had been in a rough patch—emotionally and spiritually. I was struggling with habitual pornography use, which brought feelings of depression, unworthiness, and distance from God. I knew better, but I wasn’t doing better. Eventually, I made a decision to try again. I started seeking God, working on my spiritual life, and finding tools to manage and eliminate my habitual pornography viewing. Not long after, my soon-to-be wife entered my life.

When we were engaged, she told me about a priesthood blessing she received months before we met. In it, the person giving the blessing told her she would soon meet a man “climbing his own mountain.” That hit me hard. In that moment, I felt deeply seen by God. Even when I didn’t feel worthy, He knew who I was. He prepared my wife, and He was preparing me too.

There have been other moments in my life where I’ve felt God’s love, but that one stood out. Through someone I had never met, God affirmed that He saw my efforts and my potential. I know He loves me. And I know He loves you.

Conclusion

If you ever find yourself thinking, “He doesn’t love me,” or “I’m too far gone,” or “I don’t know what to do,” remember: He already knew the mistakes you would make—and He still chose to suffer for you, and He still chooses to love you.

I love this quote from Elder Hirst: “You might know something secret about yourself that makes you feel unlovable. However right you might be about what you know about yourself, you are wrong to think that you have put yourself beyond the reach of God’s love… His arms are not shortened. No. They are always long enough to reach our reaching and embrace each one of us.” And then, he adds, “When we don’t feel the warmth of divine love, it hasn’t gone away. God’s own words are that ‘the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but [His] kindness shall not depart from [us].’” Honestly, I could geek out about the geology of that phrase, but I won’t (unless you ask). Just know: before God’s love leaves you, the mountains would have to disappear—and even then, His kindness will remain.

I know God lives. I know He loves us—deeply, eternally. And I hope you’ll take the chance to find out for yourself just how much. You might feel it through prayer, scripture study, through someone’s kindness, in a breathtaking sunset, a quiet night under the stars, or through serving someone else. If you seek His love, you will find it. You are loved by the Creator of galaxies. And He wants you to call Him “Father.”