Dear Gramps,

Are the stories in the scriptures (like Adam and Eve, Noah’s ark etc.) always literal, or are some of them not literal but just illustrate true principles for the purpose of teaching?

Jordan, from Utah

Dear Jordan,

I think that the safest course to pursue would be to consider the scriptures as literal accounts, unless it is an obvious illustration. For example, the parables of Jesus are often told as stories to demonstrate principles. Take, for instance, the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-24. My personal interpretation of that scripture is that it is a story told to effectively teach a principle. In Matt 13:10 the disciples asked the Savior why he taught in parables. If you look carefully over his answer, from verses 11 to 17, you will find that he spoke in parables to teach hidden principles to those who could perceive his meaning because of the influence of the Holy Spirit, but others, who were not worthy of that sacred influence, would hear only a story.

Apart from parables, however, there are accounts of particular happenings and accounts of historical significance. For instance, in chapter 21 of the gospel of John, we are told that at the Savior’s command 153 fish swam into the net of the fishing disciples. I believe that is a factual account, and that there were not 152 fish, nor 154 fish that swam in to that net, but 152. To my mind, the historical accounts relate true events, not fantasies; and if such events cannot be explained by the science of today, that merely indicates the limitations of today’s science. It is surprising to me how foolishly prone men are to become the judges of God.

Gramps