Book of Mormon: Dagobah Edition

Let's tackle one of the longest-lasting and persistent Mormon myth out there, shall we? Was Star Wars' Yoda based on President Spencer W. Kimball?

First consider these facts.

1. Yoda was introduced in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back. The year 1980 happens to correspond with President Kimball's presidency.
2. One of the quotes that President Kimball is famous for is "do it." One of the quotes that Yoda is famous for is "do or do not, there is no try."
3. President Kimball was a diminutive man with ears that protruded slightly farther from his head than most. Yoda was a diminutive Muppet with giant ears.
   

Given those facts it is understandable that Mormons would so quickly jump onto the theory that Yoda was inspired by President Kimball. Here's the thing, though, no one involved in Empire Strikes Back has ever claimed that to be the case. Instead they credit Albert Einstein (another wise old man) as the inspiration behind Yoda's look.

So while we Mormons can't claim Yoda as one of our own, we can at least take comfort in the fact that he'd most likely like 1 Nephi 3:7.