Let our Allegory be Allegory, please.

[_subgenius]

Henry Eyring:

“Probably one of the most difficult problems in reading the scriptures is to decide what is to be taken literally and what is fiction.”

it seems that Dr Shades was asking for examples, not a reiteration of his question.

[_Bazooka]

Dr Shades asked for an explanation not an opinion.

I don't recall Shades asking for a board nanny...

[_nc47]

Have you taken a physics class at BYU? Or a biology class? If not, I'd happily tell you about it: YOU'RE WRONG.

The Mxyzptlkian dimensional paradox mechanism or taking a class at BYU?

I don't even know what that is.

[_Dr. Shades]

it seems that Dr Shades was asking for examples, not a reiteration of his question.

You are indeed correct.

Nelson Chung graciously provided us with an example of an apostle addressing a group of college students in 1933, giving them license to take the first several verses of Genesis, chapter 1 as allegory.

Okay, so the creation of heaven, earth, and mankind as recited in the Bible is allegory. . . assuming no other apostles or prophets disagree with the apostle that Nelson Chung quoted.

Somehow I get the impression that Moksha thinks that many, many more scriptural accounts other than the first few verses of Genesis chapter 1 are allegorical (correct me if I'm wrong, of course). Therefore, Mosha, which other accounts within LDS scriptures are merely allegorical and not to be taken literally? Backing up your list with quotations from General Authorities giving such license would be appreciated.

[_moksha]

Shades, I didn't realize you hung on the words of the Authorities for confirmation. My statement, like all statements predicated on opinion, is my own. Maybe some LDS Authorities agree (at least clandestinely) or not. Never the less, the statement seems true to me. I see truths and wisdom in the Mormon canon, just as I see it in other allegory. Does this reflect a weak testimony on my part or a better understanding of the fundamental nature of such scriptures? Depends upon who you ask.

Did Jonah really get swallowed by a big fish or was this allegory? I think it was allegory, but you could always check with Authorities for a second opinion.

[Guest]

...

[_Dr. Shades]

Shades, I didn't realize you hung on the words of the Authorities for confirmation. My statement, like all statements predicated on opinion, is my own.

You said, "Let our allegory be allegory, please. No fanciful defenses or tireless attacks are needed[.]"

"Our" implies some sort of universality or consensus. You didn't say, "Let my allegory be allegory, please. No fanciful defenses or tireless attacks on my allegory are needed[.]"

But now it seems like you're admitting that you've invented your own Mormonism, wherein you can dismiss the inconvenient, politically incorrect, or untrue parts as "allegory" and then get a free pass.

Maybe some LDS Authorities agree (at least clandestinely) or not. Never the less, the statement seems true to me. I see truths and wisdom in the Mormon canon, just as I see it in other allegory.

What truths and wisdom do you see? Please be specific.

Did Jonah really get swallowed by a big fish or was this allegory? I think it was allegory, but you could always check with Authorities for a second opinion.

Jonah getting swallowed by a fish was an allegory for. . . what, exactly?

[_tagriffy]

It's an allegory for, "If you run away from God, you're going to wind up in a really stinky place." :D

[_moksha]

"Our" implies some sort of universality or consensus. You didn't say, "Let my allegory be allegory, please. No fanciful defenses or tireless attacks on my allegory are needed[.]"

No way. Using the word our simply meant including myself in joint ownership of this allegory. I purchased my copy the same as everyone else (well, some get it handed to them for free as part of a sales promotional).

But now it seems like you're admitting that you've invented your own Mormonism, wherein you can dismiss the inconvenient, politically incorrect, or untrue parts as "allegory" and then get a free pass.

Hey, I didn't write these books, so I didn't invent them. They and the stories of Asgard and Olympus existed before I was born. If you wish to imbue any allegory with more significance, that is fine with me. I prefer to take what good I can from them and appreciate them as allegory. I do however recognize that for my faith, the Mormon canon should be regarded as Sacred Allegory, which is a step up from plain old everyday run of the mill allegory.

What truths and wisdom do you see? Please be specific.

You need to ask this question of some British school lad who is into recitation.

Jonah getting swallowed by a fish was an allegory for. . . what, exactly?

Whatever abstract ideas you would like to read into it. I like the one about how no matter what gridlock we are trapped in on the freeway, we will eventually get home so we can watch the Colbert Report at 8 PM.

[_karl61]

I think it gets complicated since there are three different accounts in Genesis of what happens in the beginning. It's like E.Poe, J.Smith and T.Jefferson all wrote their version and a group at Harvard in 2013 used a cut and paste of all three to create an account of what happened.