Ep 19. Lunar Bibles
- March 26, 2018
In this episode of Strange Inheritance season 5, viewers are taken on an exciting journey through the discovery of a precious and unique item - Lunar Bibles. Located in Alaska, the family of renowned aviator General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. inherited 512 tiny Bibles that were carried on the Apollo 14 mission to the Moon in 1971.
These Lunar Bibles were created by microfilm, down to the size of a postage stamp. They contain the entire text of the King James Bible, each page etched by a laser. The pages were then cut and bound into a small book that weighed less than an ounce and measured only two inches long, an inch wide, and half an inch thick. This miniature masterpiece was created by Rev. John M. Stout, the founder of the Apollo Prayer League, a group of 500 pastors who were determined to get religious materials into space.
Shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in a non-descript oatmeal box, they were packed alongside the personal belongings of astronaut Stuart Roosa, who carried them with him on his mission to the moon. Roosa was a devout Christian who had dreamed of bringing something of spiritual value to the moon. The Bibles were briefly unpacked at the Command Module before being resealed in the same box that was then stored in the Lunar Module. They remained on the surface of the moon for 33 hours while the astronauts explored the Fra Mauro Highlands.
The Lunar Bibles eventually made their way back to Earth with Roosa, where they were temporarily housed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Following Roosa's death in 1994, NASA began returning personal items to families of the deceased astronauts, including the Bibles which were given to General Davis.
Today, General Davis’ son, retired Major General Benjamin O. Davis III is the proud inheritor of these Lunar Bibles. To help preserve them for future generations, Davis had them appraised, insured, and donated two of them to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. He even received an invitation for a private tour of all the moon rocks and artifacts stored there.
The episode showcases the painstaking restoration of these Lunar Bibles, and their eventual presentation to universities and religious organizations. Davis' son, himself a military aviator, feels a deep sense of pride and responsibility to share his father's legacy with the world.
The story concludes by highlighting the significance of these precious Lunar Bibles - they are not only a link between the heavens and Earth but also serve as a testament to the deeply held beliefs and convictions of a man who willingly placed himself at great risk in service to his country and his faith.
The episode beautifully captures the incredible journey of these Lunar Bibles, from their creation to their historic trip to the moon and finally to their preservation, restoration, and presentation for future generations to cherish and learn from. It is a testament to the incredible ingenuity and innovation of humankind, as well as to the high regard we hold for the power of faith and spirituality, even in the vastness of space.
