Did we have a pre-premortal existence?

[_LittleNipper]

1 Corinthians 11:8-9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 For man [a]does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

So, how does this fit the Mormon way of thinking? As a Christian, I see that Adam was created and that Adam didn't exist prior to Eden. Eve was CREATED from Adam's rib. The Bible clearly is suggesting that there were no women and that GOD created them for man. Doesn't this cause a Mormon alarm to go off somewhere..?

[_gdemetz]

As a Christian of Mormon faith, I say no. It causes no alarm to go off. Apostate Christianity has no true prophets, and consequently no one to explain to the poor members of the various wandering sects the mysteries of the creation. For example, no one in apostate Christendom can adequately explain how Adam was made from the dust of the earth as the Book of Genisis states, and is also the son of God as the Book of Luke states, they can only speculate that perhaps the statement in Luke was figurative based on their own man made doctrines or opinions. True modern prophets and apostles from the restored true Christian church have explained this clearly and truthfully!

[_sleepyhead]

As a Christian of Mormon faith, I say no. It causes no alarm to go off. Apostate Christianity has no true prophets, and consequently no one to explain to the poor members of the various wandering sects the mysteries of the creation. For example, no one in apostate Christendom can adequately explain how Adam was made from the dust of the earth as the Book of Genisis states, and is also the son of God as the Book of Luke states, they can only speculate that perhaps the statement in Luke was figurative based on their own man made doctrines or opinions. True modern prophets and apostles from the restored true Christian church have explained this clearly and truthfully!

Hello gdemetz,

The problem I see with your claim is that using the Old Testament as a guide, providing answers with regards to mysteries was never the function of a prophet. The functions of a prophet were:
1. To take the necesary steps to obtain the will of God. This would involve separating himself from society (going out to the desert) for a time, to insure that it was actually God speaking and not his own personal desires.
2. After obtaining what he was sure was the message from God he would take that message to whomever was to be the recipient of the message. This would often be to the ruling class and often delivering this message would involve placing themselves in harms way. Think of Moses before pharoah telling him to let the Israelites go, or Nathan telling David he had intercourse with another man's wife.
3. They passed on there skills to the next generation. Presumably Samuel started the school of the prophets, and the famous prophets from the headmasters of these schools.

[_Drifting]

1 Corinthians 11:8-9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 For man [a]does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

So, how does this fit the Mormon way of thinking? As a Christian, I see that Adam was created and that Adam didn't exist prior to Eden. Eve was CREATED from Adam's rib. The Bible clearly is suggesting that there were no women and that GOD created them for man. Doesn't this cause a Mormon alarm to go off somewhere..?

If I recall correctly the Church has officially stated that the whole Eve/Adam's rib thing is figurative and not meant to be taken literally. Of course, they as yet won't point out what else is meant to be taken figuratively.

[_LittleNipper]

1 Corinthians 11:8-9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 For man [a]does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

So, how does this fit the Mormon way of thinking? As a Christian, I see that Adam was created and that Adam didn't exist prior to Eden. Eve was CREATED from Adam's rib. The Bible clearly is suggesting that there were no women and that GOD created them for man. Doesn't this cause a Mormon alarm to go off somewhere..?

If I recall correctly the Church has officially stated that the whole Eve/Adam's rib thing is figurative and not meant to be taken literally. Of course, they as yet won't point out what else is meant to be taken figuratively.

But if Mormons see Adam & Eve as merely figurative, why would they imagine that an obscure verse regarding being baptised for the dead is anything but figurative.

[_Tobin]

But if Mormons see Adam & Eve as merely figurative, why would they imagine that an obscure verse regarding being baptised for the dead is anything but figurative.

They shouldn't. It seems to be gdemetz's thing. If it were a common practice of the early Christian Church, there would be more than one verse about it.

[_gdemetz]

We don't see Adam and Eve as merely figurative and we don't see baptism for the dead as merely figurative!

[_LittleNipper]

We don't see Adam and Eve as merely figurative and we don't see baptism for the dead as merely figurative!

What about 6 literal days of creation ---evening and morning? I believe the creation epic to be literal, as well as, the Flood...

[_gdemetz]

I heard one of the general authorities in conference, and naturally I can't remember who it was, talking about the days as referring to time periods. I think that Legrand Richards believed that the days represented 1,000 year periods since the Lord had not yet appointed Adam his time of reckoning. However, I believe that the church has no official view as to the exact time, only that the days represented time periods or phases of the creation. However, the church has specifically taught that Eve being taken from Adam's rib is allegorical, and that Adam and Eve are a son and daughter of God.

[_LittleNipper]

I heard one of the general authorities in conference, and naturally I can't remember who it was, talking about the days as referring to time periods. I think that Legrand Richards believed that the days represented 1,000 year periods since the Lord had not yet appointed Adam his time of reckoning. However, I believe that the church has no official view as to the exact time, only that the days represented time periods or phases of the creation. However, the church has specifically taught that Eve being taken from Adam's rib is allegorical, and that Adam and Eve are a son and daughter of God.

Well, if the creation of Eve from Adam's rib is allegorical and evening and morning (being a day) is really some unknown period of time (when God relates it), how can one actually accept that being baptized for the dead is anything but an implied sarcasm on the part of a disciple?