Noah and the flood.....

[bytor2112]

I watched a Discovery channel program about whether the Biblical account really occurred. They made a pretty compelling case that Noah could not have built the Ark nor could there have been a worldwide flood. There isn't and geological evidence to support the story of the worldwide flood. So, is the account literal or perhaps a retelling of a Babylonian disaster that has been recorded in the Epic of Gilgamesh and other epics?

[Hemidakota]

The gospel according to the Discovery Channel [humor]

Questions that are constantly asked: do we actual know with surety that Mount Everest existed during the time of Noah? What was the tallest mountain on record during his tenure as Prophet? Could there be enough water even to cover the earth? How did the animals migrated from all parts of the earth or did they? Were the lands divided or not during Noah time? Where did Noah build the Ark?
And more....anyone?

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

I watched a Discovery channel program about whether the Biblical account really occurred. They made a pretty compelling case that Noah could not have built the Ark nor could there have been a worldwide flood. There isn't and geological evidence to support the story of the worldwide flood. So, is the account literal or perhaps a retelling of a Babylonian disaster that has been recorded in the Epic of Gilgamesh and other epics?

A very good question. In my experience, about 98% of the Church members believe in a global flood, as evidenced not only by my anecdotal evidence, but by articles in the Ensign, Meridianmagazine, etc.

I don't believe in a global flood, but I don't care to really make a point of it, either, with my friends in the Church. I do find it very interesting that The Epic discusses a flood, and that the story of Job (under another name) is found in writings older than the book of Job in the Old Testament.

As President Packer says, not all truths are useful (in context of the Church and our faith in Jesus Christ). I have studied the science, have studied the scriptures, and am content in my beliefs.


HiJolly

[deblldo]

Hi,

I just want to say that i do think that the flood was a global one as the bible say's it was, but i always find it funny when people assume it isnt simply because they cant comprehend it them selves. There are many wonders and miracles recorded in the bible that i dont understand, but i also know that i dont have to as God's way's are higher than mine.
any way just wanted to say that, hope you dont mind.
deb.

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

The gospel according to the Discovery Channel [humor]

Questions that are constantly asked: do we actual know with surety that Mount Everest existed during the time of Noah? What was the tallest mountain on record during his tenure as Prophet? Could there be enough water even to cover the earth? How did the animals migrated from all parts of the earth or did they? Were the lands divided or not during Noah time? Where did Noah build the Ark?
And more....anyone?

Yes, that "enough water" one is quite telling, as are the others. Good questions for us all.


HiJolly

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by deblldo

Hi,

I just want to say that i do think that the flood was a global one as the bible say's it was,

Where does the Bible say the flood was "global"?

Originally Posted by deblldo

but i always find it funny when people assume it isnt simply because they cant comprehend it them selves. There are many wonders and miracles recorded in the bible that i dont understand, but i also know that i dont have to as God's way's are higher than mine.
any way just wanted to say that, hope you dont mind.
deb.

I agree that God's ways are higher than ours, and that we should not doubt simply because we can't think of how God might have done it.


HiJolly

[MarginOfError]

I read in the October 2002 (?) issue of Discover Magazine (I'm fuzzy on the date, but I"m sure it was around then) about the moon and some comparisons between the geological structure of the moon and the earth. One of the things they pointed out was that the rocks on earth contain a certain amount of water. In fact, it was estimated, that if all of the water in those rocks could be drawn out, it would be enough water to fill the oceans six over. That's a lot of water! and I suppose one possible interpretation of the 'fountains of the great deep' (see below).

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (Genesis 7:14)

Disclaimer: I do not endorse this interpretation. Just food for thought.

[Vanhin]

Well I go with the global flood. Here is the explanation from the Guide to the Scriptures, which is a fairly recent addition the Standard Works study helps.

GUIDE TO THE SCRIPTURES
Flood At Noah’s Time

During Noah’s time the earth was completely covered with water. This was the baptism of the earth and symbolized a cleansing (1 Pet. 3: 20-21).

God will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh, Gen. 6: 17 (Moses 7: 34, 43, 50-52; 8: 17, 30). The waters of the flood were upon the earth, Gen. 7: 10. God set a bow in the cloud as a token of the covenant, Gen. 9: 9-17. After the waters had receded, the land of America became a choice land, Ether 13: 2. The wicked shall perish in the flood, Moses 7: 38; 8: 24. ( Guide to the Scriptures: Flood At Noah’s Time )

The scriptures, indeed, make a great case for a global flood.

And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. (See Genesis 7)

Incidentally, the earth will also be cleansed by fire in conjunction with the second coming of Christ and in preparation for her receiving her paradisiacal glory. (See Guide to the Scriptures: Second Coming of Jesus Christ)

Regards,
Vanhin

[Hemidakota]

What we need to be reminded as LDS, in many respects the voyage of the Jaredites to the Americas resembled the experience pf Noah in the Ark. Each voyage lasted about a year. In each case, the people had to build their own ship or ships. Animals and birds were involved, together with the all the problems of providing for their care over many months. Each case, the Lord provided lighted crystals to help light up the holes of the ships.

Elder Mark E. Peterson, wrote this in his book called the ‘Jaredites.’

As only a miracle made Noah's accomplishment possible, so it was with the Jaredites. The Lord gave similar attention to both. He had his own special purposes in each undertaking, and he assured their certain success.

The brother of Jared brought his luminous stones down from the mountain and placed one in each end of all eight barges. Then there was light.

"And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God." (Ether 6:4.)

It is not certain how many people actually made this journey. The record says that Jared had four sons. The brother of Jared had both sons and daughters, but the number is not mentioned. "And the friends of Jared and his brother were in number about twenty and two souls; and they also begat sons and daughters before they came to the promised land." (Ether 6:16.) So no definite number was mentioned.

The ships apparently were somewhat like submarines, for they could travel both on the surface of the sea and beneath it. They were not self-propelled, but were totally dependent on divine power to make the journey.

The Lord "caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

"And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

"And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
"And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. . . . And no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water."

Knowing that they must rely entirely on the Lord, not only to reach the Promised Land but also to preserve their lives, the people were humble and devoted. "They did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord."

The sea voyage lasted for 344 days, and at last they landed on the shore of the promised land. "When they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."

Since they had brought seeds of various kinds as well as some animals, the people began to establish farms at once.

Sincerely grateful for their safe passage to America, they worshipped the Lord with great devotion, "and they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord." Since the brother of Jared had such a close relationship with God, it is not surprising that the record adds, "And they were also taught from on high. And it came to pass that they began to spread upon the face of the land, and to multiply and to till the earth; and they did wax strong in the land."

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by Vanhin

The scriptures, indeed, make a great case for a global flood.

I agree, they do -- especially if you are LDS. (Which I am)

Originally Posted by Vanhin

Incidentally, the earth will also be cleansed by fire in conjunction with the second coming of Christ and in preparation for her receiving her paradisiacal glory. (See Guide to the Scriptures: Second Coming of Jesus Christ)

Regards,
Vanhin

I am happy to agree with you on this.


HiJolly