Final Week to Experience the ‘Worlds Without Number’ Exhibit at the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center

As October draws to a close, so does the remarkable “Worlds Without Number: God’s Infinite Creation” exhibit at the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This awe-inspiring exhibit, which has captivated some 36,000 visitors since June 1, 2024, will be available for viewing through October 31, 2024.

The “Worlds Without Number” exhibit offers an opportunity to explore the wonders of the cosmos through stunning, high-resolution images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Visitors are invited to reflect on the beauty and majesty of the universe and its Creator in a serene and reverent atmosphere. The exhibit is designed to inspire both religious and scientific discovery, providing solace and hope through remarkable images of the heavens.

“The greatest good of this exhibit has been thinking about the magnitude of God’s creations and strengthening people’s individual relationship with God,” said Elder David Colton, the visitors’ center director. “People think, ‘Wow, this is amazing,’ and ‘Wow, I know Heavenly Father cares about me and loves me.’ Some people who have struggled reconciling science and God have suddenly seen there’s a very clear path to link the two together.”

The phrase “worlds without number” is from the book of Moses, a text unique to the Latter-day Saint canon. In the first chapter of the book, God tells Moses that “worlds without number have I created.”

“Scientists are just now getting to the point where they’re willing to acknowledge that there are at least as many worlds as there are suns. And since they can’t number the suns, they can’t number the worlds,” Elder Colton said.

Monthly devotionals have been a significant part of the experience. These devotionals, led by Latter-day Saint scientists and educators, have explored themes such as astronomical discovery and tools that provide new perspectives, blending scientific insights with spiritual reflections.

The final devotional was held Sunday, October 27, 2024, and featured Dr. Joyce Winterton, who serves in senior management at the Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She talked about her work to help fuel students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She also shared Proverbs 3:19 and the words of a Church leader to emphasize the importance of education.

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“The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens,” the scripture in Proverbs says.

“There is a great deal of difference between raw intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, and finally, the understanding with which the Lord established the heavens,” Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) said in 1988. “This learning process applies to each of us. … [It is] learning that begins with God-given, innate intelligence. It recognizes knowledge through your courses of study and then the attainment of wisdom.”

All devotional addresses can be watched on demand on the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center Facebook page. A website for the exhibit video and photos will be available later.

Located at 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, Maryland, the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.