Is Bigfoot really Cain?

Here's a Bigfoot theory I haven't heard before. Apparently there are some in the Mormon church who hypothesize that Bigfoot may actually be Cain, condemned to walk the earth forever. Matt Bowman provides some scholarly elaboration on this theory on the Mormon Mentality blog.

Apparently the Bigfoot-Cain connection traces back to a story told by an early leader of the Mormon church, David W. Patten. Patten claimed that in 1835 he encountered Cain walking along the side of the road. He wrote: "He walked along beside me for about two miles. His head was about even with my shoulders as I sat in my saddle. He wore no clothing, but was covered with hair. His skin was very dark."

Hmm. That sounds kind of like Bigfoot. At least, that's what some Mormons have apparently concluded in recent decades. Bowman writes: "Cain’s identification as Bigfoot has provided Mormons with a way to assimilate the claims of folktale with new conceptions of what Cain, the embodiment of evil, should be like."

So if Bigfoot is Cain, maybe Nessie is really the snake from the Garden of Eden. 😉

Cryptozoology Religion

Posted on Tue Jan 15, 2008



Comments

Perhaps this theory is inspired by the epic poem "Beowulf". In it, Grendel, the monster (sometimes used evidence for Bigfoot and the like by cryptozoologists) is described as being a descendadnt of Cain, who was so cursed for his acts, that his offspring were "all kinds of goblins and monsters". I am thinking this guy must've read that tale, and come up with that conclusion.
Posted by Roland  on  Tue Jan 15, 2008  at  06:03 PM
Yep, this story travels the Mormon folklore circuit every so often. Heard it half a dozen times growing up. The notion that Cain still walks the earth predates Mormonism - something to do with the wording in KJV Genesis with him being a "vagabond", etc. - but I'm sorry to say that we've kept it alive longer than it had any business staying alive.

As for me, this Mormon thinks that Bigfoot is more than likely a nearly extinct North American primate. If he exists at all.

(And thanks for clarifying "some" Mormons - this is certainly not considered official doctrine)
Posted by Irene  on  Tue Jan 15, 2008  at  11:54 PM
This stuff makes me laugh. Don't any "believers" ever ask themselves why a biblical character like Cain, would be wandering exclusively around the US in the guise of Bigfoot.
Posted by Bob  on  Wed Jan 16, 2008  at  03:37 AM
"This stuff makes me laugh. Don't any "believers" ever ask themselves why a biblical character like Cain, would be wandering exclusively around the US in the guise of Bigfoot."

No, he goes to the Himilayas on occasion, where he's known as the Yeti.
😜

Now what airline he takes for the trans-oceanic flight is still up for debate
Posted by artemiss  on  Wed Jan 16, 2008  at  06:22 PM
I bet he gets a good rate on TED.
Posted by Maegan  on  Wed Jan 16, 2008  at  08:31 PM
....and I hypothesize that Fairies are actually the ofspring of the high empress Dragoon Fairchurch, founder of the little known religion of the forest people.
Posted by meme  on  Thu Jan 17, 2008  at  04:28 AM
I know Bigfoot personally, and believe me, he's neither Cain nor Abel, nor any other figure mentioned in the Bible(s). He's just a ramblin' guy, sorta shy but when he parties, he's really fly. He rap-riffs pretty damn well, too. Better than me, you betcha. Word
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Thu Jan 17, 2008  at  01:15 PM
Oh, absolutely...the truth at last! I've spent all my life wondering what Bigfoot really was and where Cain finally wound up. Now I know and the truth has set me free.
Thank you, oh infallible Church of LDS.
Christ.................!
Posted by Dee Ann  on  Thu Jan 17, 2008  at  02:25 PM
The peoples of The Land Of My Birth also have the theory about the Big Foot, and we say he is Lost Santa Claus. Maybe some day Rudolf will find him and they can give Raoul the present he asked for many the years ago. Little Raoul was very sad, and some have said that is why I, Raoul, The Psychic Gangster of Love, do what I must do, to fill the gaping hole in my broken heart. That is Raoul's cure for all things sad: fill the gaping holes, you know? Hah ha ha, I am sorry, but you deserved that, you Wendigo. Rrrraoul
Posted by Raoul  on  Thu Jan 17, 2008  at  06:42 PM
Speaking of Latter-Day Saints, I hear Mitt Romney finally won a state primary race. It seems he mobilized the "Christian Right" voters to his cause when he promised to support a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and at least four women.
Posted by Big Gary  on  Thu Jan 17, 2008  at  07:12 PM
Warning! that link above by xiaoxiaoyangzi is some bad mojo that's been popping up on forums lately. It's just a list of links that can do some nasty stuff if they're clicked on!
Alex, you might want to delete that one. (This one too, since it won't make any sense after the other one's gone)
Posted by Captain DaFt  on  Fri Jan 18, 2008  at  12:05 AM
I'll leave yours, Captain DaFt. That way you can hold onto your reputation for DaFtness. 😉
Posted by Charybdis  on  Fri Jan 18, 2008  at  08:16 AM
Now, I am no Biblical Scholar, but as I am an atheist I guess it don't matter all that much.

If I read the story right, Cain is not the embodiment of evil. God is. He set Cain up to fail. He made him into a grain farmer, and then when Cain made the sacrifice of the only thing he had to sacrifice, it displeased God. If I was one of only two farmers and the other one pleased God, I would probably get insanely jealous, too.

How could Cain be the "Embodiment of Evil?" I would bet that Abel must have been a smarmy son of a bitch who could do no wrong.
Posted by Mike Haubrich, FCD  on  Sun Jan 20, 2008  at  09:18 AM
You missed the point of the fable Mike, Abel chose the best of his flock to sacrifice, Cain withheld the best.

(The larger point being that the priestly class wanted the best of your stuff without having to do a damn thing for it, but that's a rant for another day.)
Posted by Joe  on  Mon Jan 21, 2008  at  12:24 AM
since
I always thought I was Cain. I'm not a Sasquach. Really. I think these Mormons are wrong.
Posted by Reverend Po  on  Mon Feb 25, 2008  at  09:15 PM
I think that it is possible the they are relatives of cain. Why have so many seen big foot? Why have there never been stories about big foot attacking anyone? When do we not have actuall proff one way or the other. I think that god protects them and shelters them from harm and that he will not let them harm us. There has got to be more to this than we know
Posted by Cristy  on  Mon Jul 07, 2008  at  12:49 PM
I'm LDS and I'm of the opinion that there is only one "bigfoot" creature and it is actually Cain. I think the reason bigfoot is so hard to view is because he is a "vagabond" as the book Genesis describes. So, if it is Cain and he is bigfoot and he is a vagabond then I just assume that everything I have read about bigfoot, the abominable snowman, etc. are talking about one creature. He is intellegent, he travels by foot all over the world therefore he is known by many inhabitants of this earth throughout time. I'm not a scientist but this version correlates with Patten's experience and the scarcity of contacts. Also, I'm assuming Patten is telling the truth. I'm a convert Mormon and became a LDS when I was 30 and at that age I was way done with lying amongst other things. Not that I'm perfect or any other Mormon is perfect but as a people we do not lie! - Cyndi
Posted by Cyndi  on  Thu Aug 07, 2008  at  02:34 AM
This article seems to make it seem as though it is the Mormon belief that Cain is Bigfoot. This is not so.
The fact that a few members of the church have speculated the possibility does not in any way make it Mormon doctrine or even popular belief.
I just wanted to make that clear.
Although it seems possible (albeit strange), I don't believe it, and I actually laughed out loud when I read the reference to the snake in Eden.
Posted by Derek  on  Sun Nov 23, 2008  at  03:45 PM
The story about David Patten can be found in a little known LDS book called "The Miracle of Forgiveness" by a little known LDS author named Spencer W. Kimball.
It's so interesting how willing people are to dive into a battle of wits, unarmed.
Posted by Scott Compton  on  Thu Dec 18, 2008  at  03:23 PM
Let's please remember that this is not Doctrine.
It is what some people think or believe Mormon and non-Mormon.

Stop trying to put some people's theories into actual Mormon belief and doctrine.
Posted by brad  on  Wed Mar 25, 2009  at  02:38 PM
Dear Mike and Joe,
I read your response to this topic and was saddened in my heart.Please bear with me as I explain some points for you to consider and that God opens your eyes and heart to know Him.
The reason Cains sacrifice was judged by God as not acceptable was that it was from a heart full of pride and self sufficiency, which disobeyed and disregarded Gods gift of pardon for sins GRACE=Gods love. This grace is revealed in JOHN 3:16 Jesus, Gods only begotten son, was sent from heaven, lived a righteous life, obeying God's laws and died a sinners death,died in our place and took humanities (our sins) upon him at the crucifixion, so that we may be eligible to return to unity with God and live eternally. Jesus died as a lamb without spot or blemish,sinless and this is what Abel honoured in his sacrifice of the lamb. Abel believed that God would send Jesus as this lamb to die for us and his heart was filled with gratitude, that he gave and didnt question God,gave of a heart of full of love for God and His mercy toward all men.Adam and Eve sinned directly against God and believed in the lies of the devil. Lucifer the fallen angel, who wanted to be as God and hated Jesus Christ and still wars against Gods people today.This is why God warned Cain that he was about to commit sin, that he should not be angry with his brother that Cain was conscious of His sin as deliberate rebellion against God and grace and that if Cain had chosen to obey God he would not have killed His brother. He became possesed of evil and chose to slay innocent blood rather than admit he was wrong and seek Gods forgiveness.Abels sacrifice of offering the best of his flock, a lamb was in harmony with God and the plan of salvation. Thus abel understood perfectly that it was not by anything that man could do (our works)that man would live eternally, but by the grace of God in giving us His Son to die for us, as a living sacrifice, once and for all and for all mankind. This is why it is not necessary today to sacrifice animals to atone for sins, when we accept Jesus as our lord and saviour, his atoning blood washes away our sins, we need then to study Gods word and keep His commandments and they are not grievous, I recommend the King James Version. Abel was not self righteous and in all respects the original honour and expectation of God's favour fell upon Cain, being the firstborn of Adam.Abel's offering was accepted of God because it was offered in faith in the hope of the promised messiah, being the lamb which taketh away the sin of the world,the greatest sacrifice ever offered that of Gods dear son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless, the least of his brethren.
Posted by the least of his brethren  on  Wed Feb 10, 2010  at  10:57 PM
It's simple, really. The Bible says that only 8 individuals survived the flood. Cain would make 9. Hairy or not, he was still a man.
Posted by Bigfoot  on  Wed Sep 01, 2010  at  10:22 AM
I have had a fascination with "Bigfoot" for 35 years.

The first question that comes to mind is whether Bigfoot is a product of evolution? No, I categorically think macro-evolution is out in left-field than Mormonism.

The next question is whether the Almighty would have created such a beast? I believe all that our Creator made was good, but Bigfoot seems to fall from that category, so I do not think he was made with the other animals in the creation account. He seems to be more than animal, less than man, but maintains super-human qualities.

Now, I must ask myself if Bigfoot is a product of the Nephilim's genetic tampering, such as was seen prior to the flood of Noah. Again, I do not believe this because all those freakish creatures were killed by the flood which was meant to purge the Earth of such freakish beasts along with the wicked mortals.

Next, one should examine whether or not Noah would have allowed such a beast upon the ark. Again, I do not. And, I certainly do not think he could tread water for a year.

The Holy Bible states that the Nephilim ("Fallen Ones") were present on Earth before the Flood of Noah and afterwards. So, could they have meddled with DNA once again after the flood? I don't think so. It seems that The Almighty put the kabosh to their genetic tampering.

So, what is left?

The answer is Bigfoot is an original inhabitant of Babylon some 5,000 years ago. More precisely, he was present at the construction of the Tower of Babel.

There were 3 factions of people building the Tower of Babel. Jasher 9:26 "...the first said, We will ascend into heaven and fight against him (The Almighty); the second said, we will ascend to heaven and place our own gods there and serve them; and the third part said, we will ascend to heaven and smite him with bows and spears; and God knew all their works and all their evil thoughts."

Jasher 9:35 "And the Lord smote the three divisions that were there, and he punished them according to their works and designs; those who said, We will ascend to heaven and serve our gods, BECAME LIKE APES and elephants...."

So, did they become apes? No, they became "like" an ape, but they were also human. Now, add in the curse from The Almighty and you get the superhuman qualities that come with being a cursed creature and this would explain why all manner of wildlife fear these damned creatures. The curse would also explain the para-normal aspect often associated with these creatures.

So, is Bigfoot "Cain". No. Cain was accidently killed with an arrow by his grandson, Lamech, and his son, Tubal Cain on a hunting trip, mistaking him for an animal.

Besides Cain being killed with an arrow, he would have never been allowed on the ark of Noah. Only Noah, his wife, and their 3 sons and their wives were invited aboard the mighty ship by The Almighty.
Posted by Juan Carlos  on  Fri Feb 11, 2011  at  02:50 AM
This is a great comment board, half poison koolaid drinkers and half self-important intellectuals that are dumb enough to think they have all the answers. I think that after he started the uprising in libya and created the japanese tsunami, Cainy Mcbigfoot shaved and now is a backup dancer for Cher. Please continue commenting on this ridiculus subject.
PS I hold you all in the absolute lowest regard and that is an amazing accomplishment.
Posted by Corey  on  Tue Mar 22, 2011  at  07:24 PM
Corey:

You wouldn't happen to be a Mormon...would you?
Posted by Juan Carlos  on  Sat Apr 02, 2011  at  03:14 AM
You know what!? I was raised a Mormon but frankly I came up with this same theory on my own when I was 13. I find it intriguing that this seems to be a "Mormon" theory when I've never talked to another Mormon about this idea. For the record, Christianity as a whole is just a rediculous concept to intelligent people of today. And rightly so. And I've got to say here that I'm aware this is a long message and setting myself up for ridicule, but I can't help than mention that some of these messages are funny and fun conversation, and some of these messages are just ridiculous stupid! With the exception of this message(of coarse) it seems that the longer the message in this chat room, the more an idiot you seem to be. I bet I can pick out which people here would want Sara Palin as president. Some of this string was very fun to read and I laughed out loud(you know who you are) and some of you are hopelessly lost in your own little messed up worlds(and you don't know who you are). Whatever! It takes all types to make the world go round right? Good luck all! We're actually all screwed no matter what you choose to believe. Just laugh. It's all we're gonna have in the end anyway.
Posted by Cory  on  Sun Feb 26, 2012  at  06:08 AM
lemerch is one of the decendent of cain. he mad a pack with satan and became master mayham which is the same that cain for gain and killed cain even if it was an acident the curse fele upon him lemerch, so he kill carn he knew what he had done and the curse fele upon him and his decendants now he might be the father of thr bigfoot. he himself is who david pattern saw and not cain. Lemerch is the one that is walking the earth. go back to genises and you will read dis account of the pack he mad with satan.




Posted by bernard f. cyr  on  Tue Jul 10, 2012  at  03:30 PM
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