LESSON 6 - “Noah … Prepared an Ark to the Saving of His House”

ENOCH

One of my pet theories (NOT even REMOTELY Church doctrine) is that the City of Enoch provides a possible basis for the legend of Atlantis as first recorded by Plato. It was reported that Joseph Smith stated that the City of Enoch was removed together with all the surrounding land, leaving behind what we now know as the Gulf of Mexico. (Waiting for the World’s End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff, p. 305)

Such an event would have created a cataclysm that would have been felt far and wide, and as it would have occurred about 3100 BC, it fits fairly nicely into the story told by Plato. (Timaeus 24e–25a)

What is interesting here is that Joseph Smith reportedly stated that when the City of Enoch returns to the earth, it would take up its previous location, the Gulf of Mexico. We know from Latter-day revelation that when the City of Enoch returns it will be joined to the New Jerusalem that is to be built beginning at Independence, Missouri. John also describes the descent of the “holy city” from the heavens and its unification with the New Jerusalem. He then gives the dimensions of the newly created city, and although many of the numbers are meant to be figurative, it is interesting to note that the length and breath of that city as described by John (about 1400 miles), could reach from Independence to the Gulf of Mexico.


NOAH AND THE ANIMALS

There are several early Jewish and Christian traditions that speak of a “holy garment” that was passed from Adam to Seth and on to the other patriarchs. Possession of this garment gave the bearer power, not just in a priesthood sense, but to rule as temporal king as well. It was purportedly this garment which was taken from Noah by Ham and his son as the drunken Noah was sleeping. The garment then passed on to Nimrod (Ham‘s grandson) who ruled as king and attempted the construction of the Tower of Babel. (See, Hugh Nibley. Lehi in the Desert and the World of the Jaredites, pp. 160-162)

Since Adam had this garment in the Garden of Eden, these traditions imbue it with special powers, including the ability to calm and attract animals. They suggest that Noah used the power of this garment to call the animals to the Ark.

CLEAN AND UNLEAN ANIMALS

I have been asked several times about the strange classification of “clean” and “unclean” animals as first mentioned in Genesis 7 in connection with the Ark, and later expanded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. The restrictions regarding a split hoof and the “chewing of the cud,” do not make sense to many of us in modern society.

It’s all about health. Specific animal groups (cattle, sheep, deer, goats), were exempted from the restrictions because they are herbivores and less likely to carry disease. The other clean animals were allowed since animals with a split hoof can more easily perspire through their feet, thereby eliminating waste and decreasing the incidence of disease. Animals that “chew the cud,” have improved digestion, and are therefore, healthier. Those animals that are specifically forbidden (rats, lizards, skunks, snakes and weasels, as well as pigs) are excluded because they are predators and scavengers and are more likely to carry parasites.

The permitted seafood was limited to fish with scales and fins. This is because fish with fins could swim against the currents and tides, avoiding the more polluted and infected areas of water. The scales also serve as a protective barrier to pollution.

LOGISTICS OF THE ARK

Some modern theologians have calculated that the square footage of the Ark would have allowed for the housing of some 16,000 animals. Under normal circumstances, these animals would have created some 12 tons of waste each day, but this could have been handled by using slatted floors where the waste would make its way to a smaller enclosure below the floor of the pens. The movement of the ship would have allowed for the regular release of methane and other gases, and some sort of disposal slip could have been designed as well.

The real problem would have been the storage of enough feed for these animals during their year-long confinement. Of course, their need for food would have been much reduced due to their slower metabolic rate during confinement (thereby also reducing the amount of waste), but still, if we allow a daily ration of 2 ounces of food per animal, the total for 365 days would be some 730,000 pounds. Perhaps the Lord provided manna-like rations for the sea voyage?