Numbers 1

(April 5, 2014)
Numbers in the scriptures are a problem – the numbers seem entirely improbable in light of what we know about population dynamics and the simple issue of how much water would be needed or how much waste would need to be addressed.  Some people actually lose their testimonies when they look at the numbers that are included in the scriptures.

Of course, all of this presumes that we are right in that the numbers are wrong.  They could, by some mechanism that we are not aware of, be accurate and we are wrong in our current understanding.  But let us presume that the numbers are inaccurate.  Does that somehow invalidate the Gospel?  Of course not.  The Gospel is the Atonement – everything else is an appendage to that.  If Christ rose from the dead, then what does it matter if ancient numbering techniques and practices included a certain fudge factor (or even outright exaggeration)?  It means nothing, of course.

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved.  We also believe that we are led by fallible leaders (and every leader in the history of the world, save one, was likewise fallible).  We should not expect infallibility in our leadership, in our scriptures, or in those around us.  If the numbers are horribly wrong, but Christ rose from the dead, then we know what we must do.  And He did rise from the dead.