Large Bodies of Water

[Jamie123]

I remember reading somewhere (unless I dreamed it - which is possible) that Mormons are afraid of large bodies of water (lakes, oceans, large rivers) because they believe that is where the Devil lives. Is there any truth in this?

[Lstinthwrld]

I seriously hope this was a result of a dream and not true.

[Elohel]

From the Religion 324-325, Doctrine and Covenants student manual for the Church's Institute program, page 131.

D&C 61:5–19. How Is the Water “Cursed”?
President Joseph Fielding Smith pointed out how “in
the beginning the Lord blessed the waters and cursed
the land, but in these last days this was reversed, the
land was to be blessed and the waters to be cursed.
A little reflection will bear witness to the truth of this
declaration. In the early millenniums of this earth’s
history, men did not understand the composition of
the soils, and how they needed building up when
crops were taken from them. The facilities at the
command of the people were primitive and limited,
acreage under cultivation was limited, famines were
prevalent and the luxuries which we have today were
not obtainable. Someone may rise up and say that the
soil in those days was just as productive as now, and
this may be the case. It is not a matter of dispute, but
the manner of cultivation did not lend itself to the
abundant production which we are receiving today. It
matters not what the causes were, in those early days
of world history there could not be the production,
nor the varieties of fruits coming from the earth, and
the Lord can very properly speak of this as a curse,
or the lack of blessing, upon the land. In those early
periods we have every reason to believe that the
torrents, floods, and the dangers upon the waters
were not as great as they are today, and by no means
as great as what the Lord has promised us. The early
mariners among the ancients traversed the seas as
they knew them in that day in comparative safety. . . .
Today this manner of travel in such boats would be
of the most dangerous and risky nature. Moreover,
we have seen the dangers upon the waters increase
until the hearts of men failed them and only the
brave, and those who were compelled to travel the
seas, ventured out upon them. In regard to the
Missouri-Mississippi waters, we have seen year by
year great destruction upon them, and coming from
them. Millions upon millions of dollars, almost
annually are lost by this great stream overflowing
its banks. Many have lost their lives in these floods
as they sweep over the land, and even upon this
apparently tranquil or sluggish stream there can arise
storms that bring destruction. Verily the word of the
Lord has been, and is being, fulfilled in relation to
those waters. While the Lord has spoken of the sea
heaving itself beyond its bounds, and the waves
roaring, yet we must include the great destruction
upon the waters by means of war, and especially by
submarine warfare as we have learned of it in recent
years.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:224;
see also Genesis 3:17–19; Ether 7:23–25; 9:16, 28;
Revelation 16:1–6; Alma 45:16; D&C 59:3; 16–19.)

[miztrniceguy]

it's news to me....i didn't get the memo

[Dravin]

Maybe you're thinking of Missionaries not being allowed to go swimming. My understanding is that's a safety issue, not a doctrinal one, they aren't allowed to go swimming in pools either.

[pam]

I have learned since a child that the waters will become cursed. I can remember my mom talking about it.

Reference Search: D&C 61:5-19

D&C 61:5-19

5 For I, the Lord, have decreed in mine anger many destructions upon the waters; yea, and especially upon these waters.
6 Nevertheless, all flesh is in mine hand, and he that is faithful among you shall not perish by the waters.

7 Wherefore, it is expedient that my servant Sidney Gilbert and my servant William W. Phelps be in haste upon their errand and mission.

8 Nevertheless, I would not suffer that ye should part until you were chastened for all your sins, that you might be one, that you might not perish in wickedness;

9 But now, verily I say, it behooveth me that ye should part. Wherefore let my servants Sidney Gilbert and William W. Phelps take their former company, and let them take their journey in haste that they may fill their mission, and through faith they shall overcome;

10 And inasmuch as they are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them.

11 And let the residue take that which is needful for clothing.

12 Let my servant Sidney Gilbert take that which is not needful with him, as you shall agree.

13 And now, behold, for your good I gave unto you a commandment concerning these things; and I, the Lord, will reason with you as with men in days of old.

14 Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.

15 Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters.

16 And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.

17 And, as I, the Lord, in the beginning cursed the land, even so in the last days have I blessed it, in its time, for the use of my saints, that they may partake the fatness thereof.

18 And now I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all, that you shall forewarn your brethren concerning these waters, that they come not in journeying upon them, lest their faith fail and they are caught in snares;

19 I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.

[Gwen]

so it's safe to conclude that someone took a piece of lds teaching and twisted it to try to make us look loony? i think it's been clearly pointed out that there is no fear of the water or belief that the devil lives there.

[pam]

Yes I would say that Gwen. Though I do believe in the waters being cursed in the last days since that is what I've learned from scripture and teachings growing up..but that doesn't mean I am now currently afraid of water or believe the devil lives there.

It does appear that someone twisted scripture around. Next we'll hear LDS don't take showers because the devil lives in the showerhead.

[Dravin]

Originally Posted by pam

Next we'll hear LDS don't take showers because the devil lives in the showerhead.

You should have seen some of the shower heads I encountered on my mission...

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by pam

16 And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.

17 And, as I, the Lord, in the beginning cursed the land, even so in the last days have I blessed it, in its time, for the use of my saints, that they may partake the fatness thereof.

18 And now I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all, that you shall forewarn your brethren concerning these waters, that they come not in journeying upon them, lest their faith fail and they are caught in snares;

19 I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.

Exactly...you must have the ability to control the elements in order to cross them in the last days.

This is part of the Four-Angels who control the destiny of the Earth.