Doctrine or not doctrine, please help me out

[Tramper]

I would like to know what readers think of the following statements. Are they official doctrine, tradition, or individual opinion? Of course, it's possible they may be one, two, or all three. What do you think?

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

[dblagent007]

I would like to know what readers think of the following statements. Are they official doctrine, tradition, or individual opinion? Of course, it's possible they may be one, two, or all three. What do you think?

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

You forgot about the dinosaur fossils exist because this earth was made of parts of other planets.

With the possible exception of #3, I don't think any of these statements are official doctrine. Some may be tradition and some may be individual opinion. The latter two categories mean, at base, that you can believe just about anything in this regard and not run afoul of the church (don't publish it too much, however, just ask Janice Allred).

In church, you are safe to stick with things that most people are comfortable with (strangely that means postulating that the dinosaur fossils came from other planets is probably okay, while it could be uncomfortable if you suggested that you believe the earth is as old as scientists believe it is).

[charity's child]

You forgot about the dinosaur fossils exist because this earth was made of parts of other planets.

With the possible exception of #3, I don't think any of these statements are official doctrine. Some may be tradition and some may be individual opinion. The latter two categories mean, at base, that you can believe just about anything in this regard and not run afoul of the church (don't publish it too much, however, just ask Janice Allred).

In church, you are safe to stick with things that most people are comfortable with (strangely that means postulating that the dinosaur fossils came from other planets is probably okay, while it could be uncomfortable if you suggested that you believe the earth is as old as scientists believe it is).

He included the fossils bit.

I think #4 may be regarded as doctrine. The majority of the statements are just tradition, IMO. Personally, I do not believe we evolved from animals. But I do believe that evolution may have been part of the creation process of the world. And we have no idea how old the world is, because we don't know how long the creation periods were. I hear that in the church all the time.

[Mormon2Christian]

It doesn't really matter if something is or isn't official church doctrine because it can always be changed. Look at the history of Mormonism. Adam God doctrine is no longer official doctrine, denying blacks the priesthood is no longer permitted, oh and don't forget plural marriages. These were once official doctrine but later somebody else came along and received revelation that went contrary to the previous revelation. This is one obvious error that proves that the Mormon church is not true. Mormons should be outraged by their history and their doctrine. Mormonism is the most wicked form of Christianity hiding as wolves in sheeps clothing. It saddens me so many members of this cult continue to wash their brains in this garbage day after day. Are you all really that blind? I guess that was a rhetorical question. Those who realize the truth (like myself and many others) have done what any sensible Christian would do. Confess with our lips, repent, and ask for forgiveness by putting our faith in the Lord God. We (true Christians) have done what is logical. We got out! Amen. God bless you all no matter who you are. I pray that you come to a knowledge of Truth. I pray that you abandon your god(s), and serve the God of the Bible. Stop perverting Christianity and humble yourselves before the everlasting Creator Jesus Christ.

In Love & Truth,

M2C

[sleepyhead]

It doesn't really matter if something is or isn't official church doctrine because it can always be changed. Look at the history of Mormonism. Adam God doctrine is no longer official doctrine, denying blacks the priesthood is no longer permitted, oh and don't forget plural marriages. These were once official doctrine but later somebody else came along and received revelation that went contrary to the previous revelation. This is one obvious error that proves that the Mormon church is not true. Mormons should be outraged by their history and their doctrine. Mormonism is the most wicked form of Christianity hiding as wolves in sheeps clothing. It saddens me so many members of this cult continue to wash their brains in this garbage day after day. Are you all really that blind? I guess that was a rhetorical question. Those who realize the truth (like myself and many others) have done what any sensible Christian would do. Confess with our lips, repent, and ask for forgiveness by putting our faith in the Lord God. We (true Christians) have done what is logical. We got out! Amen. God bless you all no matter who you are. I pray that you come to a knowledge of Truth. I pray that you abandon your god(s), and serve the God of the Bible. Stop perverting Christianity and humble yourselves before the everlasting Creator Jesus Christ.In Love & Truth,

M2C

Hello,

Let me 1st apologize if this causes thread drift but I've been wondering about something the last week and I would like a response from one of the EV's here. It concerns the bolded part.

1. Do you believe Jesus Christ created the universe?

2. When you say Lord God who do you mean?

3. How is relying on your belief in Jesus for salvation, putting your faith in the lord God?

[LifeOnaPlate]

I would like to know what readers think of the following statements. Are they official doctrine, tradition, or individual opinion? Of course, it's possible they may be one, two, or all three. What do you think?

First, check out "Approaching Mormon Doctrine." A great little read.

Now I'll givem y unofficial answers. Let "OD=official doctrine, let T=tradition, let O=opinion, and NQ=needs qualifiers.

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

o

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

o

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

nq

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

o

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

o

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

nq

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

o

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

od, nq

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

o

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

nq

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

od, nq

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

o

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

I think there are much weightier matters to deal with.

[Hermes]

It doesn't really matter if something is or isn't official church doctrine because it can always be changed. Look at the history of Mormonism. Adam God doctrine is no longer official doctrine, denying blacks the priesthood is no longer permitted, oh and don't forget plural marriages. These were once official doctrine but later somebody else came along and received revelation that went contrary to the previous revelation. This is one obvious error that proves that the Mormon church is not true. Mormons should be outraged by their history and their doctrine. Mormonism is the most wicked form of Christianity hiding as wolves in sheeps clothing. It saddens me so many members of this cult continue to wash their brains in this garbage day after day. Are you all really that blind? I guess that was a rhetorical question. Those who realize the truth (like myself and many others) have done what any sensible Christian would do. Confess with our lips, repent, and ask for forgiveness by putting our faith in the Lord God. We (true Christians) have done what is logical. We got out! Amen. God bless you all no matter who you are. I pray that you come to a knowledge of Truth. I pray that you abandon your god(s), and serve the God of the Bible. Stop perverting Christianity and humble yourselves before the everlasting Creator Jesus Christ.

In Love & Truth,

M2C

this board isn;t a place to proselyte. calling Mormonism the most wicked form of christianity earned you a weeks vacation. ~hermes

[HiJolly]

I totally agree with LOAP.

HiJolly

[JLFuller]

I would like to know what readers think of the following statements. Are they official doctrine, tradition, or individual opinion? Of course, it's possible they may be one, two, or all three. What do you think?

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

1. Evolution - No but there is an answer. We just don't know what it is. Opinions are just that - human conjecture.

2. Death Before Adam - Yes. No death before the "fall". Actually the fall was a choice not a sin that cursed man. It was Adam and Eves choice to procreate and learn good from evil which was their mandate from God. They could not while in the garden.

3. Adam and Eve were immortal beings not telestial beings. They had to become telestial in order to fulfill their mandate.

4. It appears so but there is more to it than that. - Again, highly speculative and no one in authority that I know of talks about it.

5. Yes. I think it is in the P of GP. Some one else may have a better grasp of than I do.

6. Yes. Personal opinions are not doctrine. It takes a consensus. President Hinckley spoke on that issue in conference a few years back,

7. Maybe. Again it is highly speculative but evolution may have occurred elsewhere but we ended up as beneficiaries here. The atonement is not related to how we came about getting our physical bodies.

8. The spirit is but not the body.

9. Highly speculative given what is said in P of GP.

10. Highly speculative but that is one such theory. No one in authority I know of talks about it.

11. Even more speculative. No one with authority ever talks about it.

12. That doesn't make sense. We are not family members only because of our literal or physical family tree or heritage but by being adopted too. Our placement into one family or another was determined before we were born. There are no accidents of birth. We were assigned by pre-mortal agreement with each other or so it says in my PB. But I have never heard any one in authority speak on the subject. Maybe there have been.

[Lightbearer]

The following quote is an indirect answer to your question:

("Approaching Mormon Doctrine")"Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency (the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four â??standard worksâ? of scripture (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price), official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith. Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted."

For more information go to the following link: Approaching Mormon Doctrine Hope this helps.

[LeSellers]

Adam God doctrine is no longer official doctrine,

... and never was.

denying blacks the priesthood is no longer permitted,

... now that the long-prophesied day has arrived.

oh and don't forget plural marriages.

The doctrine has never changed. See Jacob 2:30. Oh, heck, here it is:

30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

These were once official doctrine but later somebody else came along and received revelation that went contrary to the previous revelation.

Just as the Lord designed. What's the point of living prophets if nothing changes?

People get all hot'n'bothered if there is no revelation (as they demand it), but when there is, they're just as upset.

Lehi

[Urloony]

I would like to know what readers think of the following statements. Are they official doctrine, tradition, or individual opinion? Of course, it's possible they may be one, two, or all three. What do you think?

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

Opinion. LDS members do not hold to the same ideals as most EV's in this regard.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

I would say doctrine. Although J Fielding Smith's comments here would probably considered his opinion, I think they make it pretty clear.

DEATH ON EARTH BEFORE FALL. The Lord pronounced the earth good when it was finished. Everything upon its face was called good. There was no death in the earth before the fall of Adam. I do not care what the scientists say in regard to dinosaurs and other creatures upon the earth millions of years ago, that lived and died and fought and struggled for existence. When the earth was created and was declared good, peace was upon its face among all its creatures. Strife and wickedness were not found here, neither was there any corruption

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

(Man, His Origin and Destiny - Joseph Fielding Smith) President Joseph F. Smith said that Adam was "immortal" before the fall. Elder Orson Pratt, in the Times and Seasons, 1845, and Journal of Discourses 1:280-284, said the same. We are also taught that, not being subject to death, Adam had no blood in his veins before the fall. Blood is the life of the mortal body.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

I believe so.

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

I've heard this from EV's before to try and explain that this it the reason there are dinosaur bones even though dinosaurs never existed. Irrelevant to LDS thinking IMO

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

The Prophet can add to the scriptures, but such new additions are presented by the First Presidency to the body of the Church and are accepted by common consent (by sustaining vote) as binding doctrine of the Church (See D&C 26:2; 107:27-31).20 Until such doctrines or opinions are sustained by vote in conference, however, they are â??neither binding nor the official doctrine of the Church. Stephen E. Robinson, Are Mormons Christian? (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992), 15.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

Opinion

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

(Edited to agree with JLFuller)

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

Opinion. I would imagine most LDS would go with scientific explanations.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

??

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

Spirits yes, bodies probably not.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

Animals are not bound directly to Human families.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

[dblagent007]

He included the fossils bit.

Proof that I should never post on this board between 2 and 3 am. The grammar in my post is further proof.

[alter idem]

I would like to know what readers think of the following statements. Are they official doctrine, tradition, or individual opinion? Of course, it's possible they may be one, two, or all three. What do you think?

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

LDS Doctrine is supported by Scripture. It would be helpful if posters who suggest something is doctrine provide a scriptural reference to support their claim.

[Hoops22]

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

Mainstream Christianity, no. LDS seem to have no problem with it. Even embrace it.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

Correct.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

Correct.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

I don't follow, but I don't think so.

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

I don't think so. Fossils are completely consistent with a global flood.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

nmb

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

You may have something there.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

false.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years,

Correct.

rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

scientific calculations presuming that the earth is billions old.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

nmb, but it would seem so according to lds doctrine. I'm sure, if incorrect, it will be corrected here.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

Good point. I think. Dunno.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine?

No. But then, just come on over to my church.

[rpn]

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel. you'd have to define this. it is doctrine that the first man was adam. It is not doctrine (or factual) that human bodies do NOT change over time, including gene changes

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam. It is doctrinal that there was no physical human death on the earth before the fall of Adam. But it is not doctrinal that NO species went extinct

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings. Doctrinal if you you do not mean that they began human life as immortal beings that were exactly like human life now works once resurrected --- we don't know that

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom. [doctrine]

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one. [not doctrine]

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine. [not doctrine, doctrine requires consensus among the 12, First Presidency and God]

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement. [Not doctrine, see byu handouts on evolution.]

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity. [Not doctrine]

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means. doctrine in the sense that God created it within 7 God days, not doctrine to any other extent

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother. not doctrine, there are other differences and this difference doesn't accurately describe Adam's creation

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere. not doctrine

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.not doctrine, and what does the sealing authority have to do with how the human family was created

[LeSellers]

Mainstream Christianity, no. LDS seem to have no problem with [evolution]. Even embrace it.

There is a very, very wide spectrum among the Saints. Some embrace it, others eschew it.

The Church, per se, has no official stance on the matter, as there has been no explicit revelation on the subject. Therefor, Saints are free to use their minds and speculate as they wish.

Lehi

[urroner]

Mainstream Christianity, no. LDS seem to have no problem with it. Even embrace it.

Correct.

Correct.

I don't follow, but I don't think so.

I don't think so. Fossils are completely consistent with a global flood.

nmb

You may have something there.

false.

Correct.

scientific calculations presuming that the earth is billions old.

nmb, but it would seem so according to lds doctrine. I'm sure, if incorrect, it will be corrected here.

Good point. I think. Dunno.

No. But then, just come on over to my church.

Hoops, are you speaking for all true believing Christians or are you just expressing your own opinion here?

[Calm]

I"ve got to go off to the dentist shortly so don't have time to read all the responses, but this article should answer your question (and if it's not answered, there's a good chance that there's nothing doctrinal addressing it):

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgne..._&hideNav=1

[BCSpace]

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

Not doctrine.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

Doctrine, though 2 Nephi 2:22 could imply death before the creation was complete. That does not conflict with doctrine as their is still a state of no death before the Fall.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

Depends on what you mean by "began". 2 Nephi 2:22 says they were placed into the garden and that was when the state of no death property is applied. That property is not applied to the state before the creation was finished in this verse.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

If you cut off " unrelated to the animal kingdom" then it's doctrine but it does not preclude evolution as the process of "special creation".

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

Not doctrine.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

Completely false and has been since at least 1835 (D&C 107 says that the Qo12 and the First Presidency are equal in authority). See the link in my siggy below. Doctrine is defined by whether or not it's published by the Church.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

Not doctrine. Also, not what LDS evolution proponents (that I know of) posit. For example, I can accept full blown evolution for all species including homo sapiens in a manner that does not conflict in anyway with the Fall, the Atonement, or any other LDS doctrine.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

Not doctrine. The body is created in the image of God. The spirit is literal offspring.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

Not doctrine. The doctrine actually states that it is wrong to assign to LDS belief a concrete age of the earth (OT Student Manual - Genesis)

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

Not doctrine. Since evolution can swim well with LDS doctrine, it's entirely possible that Adam and Eve have homo sapiens as parents of their physical bodies, just like Jesus. In addition 2 Nephi 2:22 says they were created AND THEN placed into the garden.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

Sure. Where did their spirits come from? Physical body? Not doctrine.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

I don't think there is any actual doctrine on this specifically, but doctrine such as Adam being the first man seems to preclude it.

Adam was the first man. God may have created him by evolution. There may have been homo sapiens walking around on the earth for hundreds of thousands of years before Adam. But Adam is the first on this earth to have a literal spirit-child of God connected to a physical body. Thus, he is the first man and the first flesh to have finished the creative process (assumed and not unreasonable context).

[The Nehor]

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

Not completely.

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

Some have interpreted scripture and teaching to believe this, I do not.

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

Yes.

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

No

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

Possible but unlikely unless you take 'world' in a scriptural sense in which case the beginning of the world was Adam and Eve and the end is the beginning of the Millenium, in which case older worlds being here is not surprising at all.

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

No.

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

No, but some aspects extrapolated from the theory might.

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

Not sure, was implied more then once but I can go either way.

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

The 'world' is young, no idea about the earth.

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

If you subscribe to that understanding then yes.

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

Taught, do not have to believe, I don't.

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

I don't see how this follows.

Should we in church avoid all subjects that are not doctrine? I am sure that we all have heard all of the abovementioned statements in the church.

Impossible to achieve. The secret is to get that Holy Ghost thing so you can discern between what is real and what is not.

[thesometimesaint]

1. The theory of human evolution is irreconcilable with the doctrines of the gospel.

ND

2. There was no death on the earth before the Fall of Adam.

D

3. Adam and Eve began life as immortal beings.

D

4. The physical bodies of human beings are the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom.

ND

5. Fossils are fragments of other worlds, used in the organization of this one.

ND

6. If a majority of the LDS apostles agree on something, it must be church doctrine.

ND

7. The theory of human evolution throws out the necessity of the Fall of Adam and, in turn, destroys the need for the Atonement.

ND

8. Man's physical body, as well as his spirit, is the direct offspring of deity.

ND

9. The earth is young, measured in thousands of years, rather than in millions and billions, as determined by scientific means.

ND

10. The birth of Adam differs from the birth of Jesus Christ (as the only begotten son in the flesh) because Adam was born into immortality rather than "in the flesh," which means in mortality or with a mortal mother.

Semi D

11. Adam and Eve were transplanted from another sphere.

ND

12. An understanding of the sealing authority with its binding of the generations into eternal families cannot admit to ancestral bloodlines to beasts.

ND

Hope this helps.

[wenglund]

It doesn't really matter if something is or isn't official church doctrine because it can always be changed.

In part, I agree. What ought to matter is not so much whether "something" may be labelled as "official church doctrine" or not, but whether that "something" actually enables us to become more like Christ. I am not sure that fussing about any of the things on the OP list will bring us to Christ, and I am even less sure of that happening through debating whether they are "official doctrine" or not.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[mfbukowski]

I totally agree with LOAP.

HiJolly

Make that 3

[talisyn]

Hermes is awesome.

The OP has really good questions, btw. I love the one where the earth is made up of different planets. I think when this idea was thought up it wasn't considered possible, from a scientific standpoint, and yet now we see it's perfectly plausible. Not that I'm saying it's what happened here..just that it's possible....