Mormons are you bible literalists?

Question

Do you believe in Noah's Ark and Adam and Eve and all that?

Answer 1

Here is the exact Mormon belief:

     The Mormon religion was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ, and was told that all churches and their creeds were an abomination. Joseph set out to impose a brand-new religion that claims to be the “only true church on earth.” The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word. And all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).

      Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, instead of just one. 1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are incorrectly translated are not always made clear 2) The Book of Mormon was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the “most correct book” on earth, and that a person could get closer to God by following its precepts, “than by any other book.” 3) The Doctrine and Covenants are considered scripture by Mormons, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.” 4) The Pearl of the Great Price is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth's creation.

     Mormons believe these things about God: that He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort. They believe God the Father has a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.” Though abandoned by modern Mormon leaders, Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ. Christians know this about God: there is only One true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, 44:6-8), that He always has and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 90:2, 1 Timothy 1:17), and that He was not created, but is the Creator (Genesis chapter1, Psalm 24:1, Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8, Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).

      Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: The Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, the Telestial Kingdom and outer darkness. Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this mortal life. The Bible tells us that after death, we go to Heaven or h**l based on whether we had faith in Jesus or not. To be absent from our bodies as believers means we are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Unbelievers are sent to h**l, or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22-23). When Jesus comes for the second time, we will receive new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). There will be a New Heaven and New Earth for believers (Revelation 21:1), and unbelievers will be thrown into an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).

      Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus’ incarnation was the result of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary. They believe Jesus is a God, but that any human can also become a god. Christians historically have taught that God is Triune and that He exists eternally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). No one can achieve the status of God, only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). We can only be made holy in God's sight through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16) and is the only one ever to have lived a sinless, blameless life, who now has the highest place of honor in Heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only One existing before physical birth (John 1:1-8, 8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, and God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus tells us it

is

impossible to get to Heaven by our own works, only with faith in Him is it possible (Matthew 19:26). And many will not choose Him. “You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to h**l is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way” (Matthew 7:13). We all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, but God's infinite love and grace has allowed us a way out. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

      Clearly there is only one way to receive salvation; to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17, 3:28). When we have this faith, we will automatically be obedient to God's laws and become baptized out of love for Him, but not because it is a requirement for salvation. We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people - they are involved in a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation. The very definition of Mormonism is, " the spirit of anti-christ ."



In Christ Jesus,

William the least

Web-site:   " http://www.ourchurch.com/member/b/bocmin... "

Web-site    " http://www.bondservantofchristjesus.com "

E-MAIL:  " [e-mail] "

E-MAIL:  " [e-mail] "

Answer 2

Yes, in the true sense of the word, we are bible literalists - except that the dictionary doesn't like your word "literalists."  Adam and Eve were/are real people and they are our first parents.  Yes, Noah was a real man and the events described were real.  I just wish that he had swatted those two mosquitoes and the two flies.

I cant help but wonder why "servant" William has so much hatred and animosity in his heart towards Mormons/LDS.  Maybe I should post a question to see if that is Christlike for a minister to be filled with such venom.

Answer 3

mormons and every religion group usually keep a few individual beliefs. some may, some may not.

Answer 4

Yes! We believe in the Bible and we believe that the Book of Mormon says the same thing as the Bible. and it does!  :) : )

Answer 5

I love how all the non-Mormons answer questions directed at Mormons.

Yes, we believe in the Bible. We believe it is the word of God and use it in our worship services and in class and personal scripture study,

As for being literalists, I don't know if we can say that. I know there is a lot of symbolism in scripture.  

Answer 6

Yes, we do. We believe the Bible and the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. You should see the primary. They have those stories all the time! It's so cute.

Answer 7

The Mormon religion was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ and told that all churches and their creeds were an abomination. Joseph set out to impose a brand-new religion that claims to be the “only true church on earth.” The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word. And all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).

http://www.gotquestions.org/Mormons.html

Answer 8

Do you mean Morons?

Answer 9

Yup.

Answer 10

Yes!

Answer 11

You  mean believe in things that are real or not?

Noah's ark has been claimed to be found by numerous people in mountains of Ararat. As for Adam and Eve, there had to be a first man and first woman. When? I don't know. 6000 years or 600,000 years ago maybe the big question. I don't know the answer

Answer 12

ummmm....probably more so than many other churches.  We believe there is much symbolism within the biblical stories and texts but yes we believe Adam&Eve, Noah and the FLood etc ARE actual events.

And I must add Mr. BOC above is rather OVER KILL O.M.G.!!!

Answer 13

We believe the Bible to be the word of God.  We also believe that God talks to all of his children, those that lived on other continents besides the Middle East.  We also believe that he talks to his children today.

We have scripture from those other sources that we believe are the word of God, just like the Bible is viewed as the word of God.

Answer 14

I agree with rkd6.

I also think that Noah was a real person who lived through a localized flood.  I believe Adam and Eve were real people, though how much of the "creation" story is symbolic versus literal, and how long it took and how it was accomplished, are open to interpretation.

Answer 15

the first rule of bible interpretation should be a literal reading.

the first understanding is usually the first plain interpretation.

however it has been proven that there are symbolic interpretations and cultural translations.

i believe in noahs ark

i believe in Adam and Eve.

as the bible describes it. but i also know there are many variations of both these stories and theories increase with new study.  

Answer 16

The more I study the scriptures, the more I see great literal as well as symbolic meaning in the Old and New Testaments.  I recognize that many of the great prophets and seers whose works survive had tremendous difficulty in describing things for which they had no words and no comprehension of [how does one describe aircraft, nuclear bombs, skyrises, etc].  In regards to Adam & Eve - yes, I think it's a literal as well as symbolic story.  Same with Noah.  One other thing to consider w/ Noah - is that at the time of the flood the earth looked much different than it does today.  It's not until after the flood during the days of 'Peleg' does it mention the dividing of the earth - wiping out geography which would give us better understanding of the story and possible area/distances involved.  

One thing I have learned from my study of this world and my chosen religion is that there are many wonders around us in the sciences which we are barely scratching the surface of understanding.  The more we learn - the greater respect I have for the organization and understanding and wisdom of God.

Answer 17

There are parts that I choose to take literally, and yes, the two stories you refer to are some of them. I include in this list the burning bush that wasn't consumed, the plagues of Egypt, and the falling of the walls of Jericho.

There are also parts that I choose to see as exactly what they are- a man's perception of what happened. Numbers 22:28... I kinda wonder about that animal speaking to the priest. The passage says that the LORD opened the animal's mouth and she asks the priest why he beat her.

Answer 18

You will find that this varies from individual to individual.  

For example, I believe the "flood" was local, rather than global; but I do believe there really was a man named Noah.  I suspect that this belief isn't shared by most LDS, but that's ok; we're allowed to think for ourselves.

Most LDS I know don't believe the creation literally took 144 hours, but some probably do.  Again, that's ok.  I think most all Mormons believe there really was an Adam and Eve, but things like how long the creation took, or whether the flood was local or global, don't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Answer 19

I reserve judgment for a lot of things.  I'm not sure whether the flood is literal or not.  

I like the idea of the flood being literal for a couple of reasons:

1 - A flood that completely covered the earth would be a true symbol of a baptism of the earth, which we believe must be complete immersion.

2 - When talking about miracles God performs, I don't like to look at them thinking, "Well that's too much, God couldn't do that."

But just because I like an idea doesn't mean it's true.  If it turns out the flood is a metaphor or localized or something, that would be fine with me.

As for Adam and Eve, I believe in the story, but there is so much wiggle room in the story, it's incredible.  When it says God created Adam out of the dust of the earth, I don't have any problem believing that was a several-million year process that involved the creation of single cell organisms that eventually evolved into the first human.