This week, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced plans to send the entire First Presidency and Quorum of 12 Apostles into orbit. Although church members have been reading the Pearl of Great Price and speculating about the relationship between religion and astronomy for years, the flight marks the church’s first official step towards hieing to Kolob. 

In an official statement, the First Presidency said, “As we watch many of the world’s richest men travel to space, the words of a beloved hymn resound in our ears: Methinks the Spirit whispers, ‘No man has found “pure space.”’” The flight will be the first time prophets, seers, and revelators travel to space.

In individual interviews, some apostles shared the personal significance the flight has for them. Elder Uchtdorf said, “I was running out of pilot anecdotes, and I just can’t compete with the stories Elder Holland has been telling lately. But once I’ve piloted a rocket, I’ll have plenty of material to work with.” Elder Eyring said “I’m flipping pumped!”

The newly called presidency of the Church’s space program is organizing committees of engineers and general authorities to oversee the mission. Construction of the rocket, dubbed “Revelation,” is already underway, and we are assured it will be “tight like unto a dish.” The total cost is estimated to be approximately $5.5 billion of tithing funds.