Darvish Intelligence: How Glen Larson’s Battlestar Galactica Brought Me to the LDS Church

Thursday, November 7, 2024

How Glen Larson’s Battlestar Galactica Brought Me to the LDS Church

How Glen Larson’s Battlestar Galactica Brought Me to the LDS Church
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

I was born into a devout Muslim family, immersed in the cultural and religious traditions of my Iranian heritage. But over the years, I grew disillusioned with Islam’s teachings. As a young man, I sought purpose and truth beyond the confines of my upbringing. It was in a place I never expected—through a science fiction series—that I would find a doorway to the gospel of Jesus Christ and ultimately embrace the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Glen Larson's 1978 Battlestar Galactica series is more than just a piece of entertainment; it was the catalyst that drew me to the LDS faith. On the surface, it’s a story of humanity’s struggle for survival against the robotic Cylons. The show is famous for its intricate plot and dramatic themes, but for me, it became a metaphor for a personal spiritual journey.

The Message of the Battlestar Galactica

As a young man living in America, I found myself drawn to Battlestar Galactica. The deep themes of faith, redemption, and the search for truth resonated with me on an unexpected level. The way the characters searched for the lost 12 colonies of humanity echoed the very human desire for purpose and meaning, and I saw parallels with my own search for truth, which I felt was missing in my upbringing in Islam.

One of the most striking aspects of Battlestar Galactica was the concept of a higher power, referred to as “The Lords of Kobol.” This polytheistic system, with its deities and mythology, felt distant from the God I had been taught to fear and revere in Islam. However, as I watched the characters in the series wrestle with their beliefs and their moral dilemmas, I began to question my own understanding of God and religion. The show’s exploration of spirituality, the nature of sin, and the ultimate redemption was more profound than any Islamic teaching I had encountered.

Glen Larson’s Mormon Influence

What I didn’t initially know was that Glen Larson, the creator of Battlestar Galactica, was a devout member of the LDS Church. His faith had a significant influence on the show, particularly in its themes of divine intervention, prophecy, and the importance of a chosen people. As I learned more about Larson’s background and his Mormon beliefs, I began to see how these themes were embedded in the show. Concepts such as the search for a promised land, the importance of family, and the role of divine guidance echoed Mormon doctrine, even though they were presented in a sci-fi context.

In Battlestar Galactica, the quest for the “Thirteenth Tribe” and the search for Earth mirrored the journey of the Latter-day Saints in their own pursuit of Zion. These ideas fascinated me, and I found myself increasingly drawn to the notion of a higher, divine order that was actively involved in guiding the course of human history. This was the kind of spiritual narrative that I had been longing for in my life.

Discovering the LDS Church

It wasn’t until years later that I began to understand the connections between Battlestar Galactica and the LDS Church. The deeper I delved into the show’s symbolism and Larson’s background, the more I realized that the worldview presented in the series closely aligned with the principles of the LDS faith. Larson’s depiction of a divine plan for humanity, the concept of a chosen people, and the moral struggles of the characters closely mirrored the teachings I would later encounter in the LDS Church.

When I finally encountered the teachings of the LDS Church, it felt like I had stumbled upon a treasure chest of truth. The doctrines of the Restoration of the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the focus on family and eternal life resonated deeply with me. The more I studied the doctrine and spoke with members of the Church, the more I felt the confirmation of the Holy Spirit that this was the truth I had been searching for.

A Personal Journey of Faith

I often reflect on how Battlestar Galactica unknowingly served as the beginning of my spiritual journey. It was through the themes of the show that I began to question the worldviews I had been raised with, and in that search for truth, I eventually found the gospel of Jesus Christ. The LDS Church provided the answers to my deepest questions—answers I had longed for throughout my life.

For me, joining the LDS Church wasn’t just a religious conversion—it was a fulfillment of my longing for a deeper connection with God. As I embraced the teachings of the LDS Church, I saw how the stories, symbols, and lessons from Battlestar Galactica were woven into the fabric of my spiritual awakening.

It was not just the words on the screen of a television show that changed my life, but the underlying message of hope, redemption, and divine purpose that spoke to me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. I now see that my path to the LDS Church was divinely guided, starting with a sci-fi series that unknowingly planted the seeds of my faith.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Glen Larson’s Battlestar Galactica played a pivotal role in my journey to the LDS Church. The themes of divine purpose, redemption, and moral struggle in the series sparked a hunger for truth that led me to discover the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the way God can work through even unexpected sources to guide us to the truth. I am grateful for the way the Lord has used all the experiences in my life, including my exposure to this science fiction classic, to bring me closer to Him and to the gospel.