View source for Question: How do Latter-day Saints reconcile scriptural accounts of the Flood of Noah with scientific evidence of continuous human habitation on the earth?

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==Question: How do Latter-day Saints reconcile scriptural accounts of the Flood of Noah with scientific evidence of continuous human habitation on the earth?==
===There is scientific evidence of diversity of species, language and of continuous human habitation===

Modern scientific knowledge regarding the diversity of species, language and evidence of continuous human habitation does not support the Biblical story that a global flood wiped out most life as recently as 4,400 years ago. 

The following criticisms are often applied to Latter-day Saint (or traditional Christian beliefs) regarding the Flood:
*It is claimed that LDS scriptures require Mormons to believe in a global flood, and that if LDS doctrine or leaders are fallible in their statements concerning the flood, then they must be wrong about other Church doctrines as well.
*If Noah's Flood was not global, how do we account for Joseph Smith's claim that the Garden of Eden was located in Missouri?
*Isn't it true that before the flood all the continents were all one land mass, since the Bible says that the earth was "divided in the days of Peleg." 

===Latter-day Saints believe that Noah existed, and that he built an ark to save his family from a flood, and that the flood occurred===

There are a number of basic teachings which we all accept regardless of the global or local scope of the Flood:
*There existed a prophet named Noah.
*Noah was commanded by the Lord to construct an ark.
*Noah warned the people of the impending deluge.
*The Flood was a ''literal'' event which did indeed occur.
*Noah, his family and the animals he collected were saved from the deluge.
*The Lord made a covenant with Noah and his descendants.

===Whether the Flood covered the entire earth, or whether it only covered Noah's world, makes no difference===

Latter-day Saints believe that the prophet Noah existed, and that he was commanded to build an ark and save his family from a flood. A belief that this flood was global in nature is not a requirement for Latter-day Saints; traditionally, many earlier members and leaders endorsed the global flood views common in society and Christendom generally. The accumulation of additional scientific information have led some to conclude that a local flood &mdash; one limited to the area in which Noah lived &mdash; is the best explanation of the available data. People of either view can be members in good standing.
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[[es:Pregunta: ¿Cómo los Santos de los Últimos Días conciliar cuentas escriturales del Diluvio de Noé con la evidencia científica de presencia humana continua en la tierra?]]
[[pt:Pergunta: Como santos dos últimos dias reconciliar relatos das escrituras do Dilúvio de Noé com evidência científica de habitação humana contínua na terra?]]