The Global Flood and Mormon Scripture | Ep. 1623 | LDS Discussions Ep. 12

The Global Flood in Mormon Scripture: Where Doctrine Meets Scientific Consensus

When members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make decisions about their faith, education, and family planning, they often rely on truth claims embedded in Mormon scripture. One of the most consequential claims involves the global flood, presented in both biblical and Book of Mormon narratives as a literal historical event. Yet mounting scientific evidence presents a fundamental challenge to this doctrine. Understanding where Mormon teaching diverges from the historical and scientific record is essential for informed consent, regardless of one's faith perspective.

The question is straightforward: Did a worldwide deluge really occur, as described in Genesis and referenced throughout Mormon scripture? And if not, what does that mean for the foundational narratives Mormonism builds upon?

Background: The Global Flood in Mormon Doctrine

Mormon theology does not allow for the metaphorical reading of the flood that many mainstream Christian denominations accept. According to the LDS Discussions podcast episode exploring this topic, Mormonism cannot separate itself from the literal historicity of foundational biblical narratives, including the global flood, without undermining broader claims about continuous revelation and scriptural authority.

The doctrinal stakes are high. Joseph Smith located the Garden of Eden in Missouri, positioned Noah's narrative within a geographically specific North American context, and the Book of Mormon references the flood as a real event. For Mormon truth claims to hold, the flood must have been real.