Lesson 8: Living Righteously in a Wicked World

Lesson 8: Living Righteously in a Wicked World, Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 32

1. Introduction

a) Refer to 2010 Goals

i) What do you want to say you have done at the end of 2010?

ii) What do you want to have become during 2010?

iii) What differences would you want others to notice in you at the end of 2010?

2. Likening Abraham to Ourselves

a) Typically we do this at the end of a lesson

b) I would like to do this at the beginning because this likening can get lost in the weeds of Old Testament accounts

c) Name of the lesson is "Living Righteously in a Wicked World"

i) Abraham lived in a very wicked world

(1) Sodom and Gomorrah

ii) We live in an increasingly wicked world

(1) READ – President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "The traditional family is under heavy attack. I do not know that things were worse in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. … We see similar conditions today. They prevail all across the world. I think our Father must weep as He looks down upon His wayward sons and daughters." (“Standing Strong and Immovable,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, 10 Jan. 2004, 20, quoted by Elder Richard G. Scott, “How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil,” Liahona, May 2004, 100–102)

iii) We will speak about the necessity for Lot, Abraham's nephew, to flee from Sodom very quickly before it was destroyed and the consequences to his family when not all took quick action.

d) Many scriptures make explicit connections between Abraham and the latter days

i) Reading 1 – Doctrine and Covenants 101:1-5

1 Verily I say unto you, concerning your brethren who have been afflicted, and persecuted, and cast out from the land of their inheritance—

2 I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions;

3 Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.

4 Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son.

5 For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified.

ii) Reading 2 – Doctrine and Covenants 132:29-32

29 Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.

30 Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph—which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them.

31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.

32 Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.

iii) READ Doctrine and Covenants 132:37 – Toward the end of this verse, speaking of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Lord said, they "did none other things than that which they were commanded; because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods."

e) Regarding the sudden exodus from Sodom necessary to save Lot and his family, we have a powerful parallel between words of the Savior while He was on the earth and a warning He gave to Joseph Smith concerning the Saints in the last days.

i) In Luke, the Savior told of conditions surrounding His second coming

(1) Reading 3 – Luke 17:28-32

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

32 Remember Lot’s wife.

ii) Parallel warning for the latter days

(1) Reading 4 – Doctrine and Covenants 133:10-15

10 Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord.

11 Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.

12 Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion.

13 And let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains of the Lord’s house.

14 Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.

15 But verily, thus saith the Lord, let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you; and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him.

(2) In January, 2009, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a devotional address at BYU entitled, "Remember Lot's Wife" in which he discussed the command to Lot and all who were with him to leave Sodom and not look back. Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.

(a) READ – Elder Holland said, " It is possible that Lot’s wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We certainly know that Laman and Lemuel were resentful when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn’t just that she looked back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "Remember Lot’s Wife," devotional address at Brigham Young University, 13 January 2009.)

iii) We're finished with the likening of Abraham to ourselves, let's go to the Old Testament history

3. Travels of Abraham

a) Refer to map

i) Raised in Ur of Chaldea, then was told by the Lord to leave his family

ii) Led by the Lord to settle in Haran

iii) The Lord later led him from Haran to the land of Canaan and promised, “Unto thy seed will I give this land” (Genesis 12:7).

iv) Because of a famine in Canaan, Abraham and his family went to Egypt (Genesis 12:10)

v) Genesis 13 begins with Abraham returning to Canaan from Egypt

b) All these travels were a serious trial for Abraham

i) Reminds me of the travels of the early Saints

(1) Colesville Branch

(a) Started in Colesville, New York

(b) Called to move to Kirtland where they remained for only a few months

(c) Moved to Jackson County

(i) Driven out of Jackson County after a couple of years

(d) Moved to Nauvoo

(e) Driven out of Nauvoo to settle in Utah

4. Trials of Abraham

a) Moses, who wrote the Book of Genesis, focused a great deal on Abraham

b) We first see Abraham in Genesis 11 and follow Abraham for 14 chapters until his death in Genesis 25

i) More space devoted to Abraham than the creation, Adam and Eve, Enoch, Noah and the Tower of Babel.

c) One of the most prominent features of Abraham's story is all the trials he endures

i) His father tries to sacrifice him to an idol

ii) He has to move and move again

iii) As soon as he arrives in the land he is promised, he and his family suffer from a famine

iv) His life is in danger in Egypt because of the beauty of his wife Sarah and they have to pretend she is his sister

v) He has problems with Lot, his nephew, which we will discuss further

vi) He has to deal with Sodom and all the other wicked city-states

vii) As Brother Robison will teach us next week, he is asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac

d) READ - Joseph Smith said: "After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.150).

i) We see the trials of Abraham

ii) We know that he is exalted

iii) The account of Abraham is an account of righteous responses to trials and also the account of how Abraham qualifies himself for exaltation

iv) Proving that he will always serve the Lord requires Abraham to suffer more than one trial.

v) The trials build upon one another

(1) Abraham isn't asked to sacrifice Isaac as his first trial, but only after he has successfully endured many trials.

5. Conflicts with Lot

a) Abraham returns from Egypt as a rich man.

i) Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

ii) Abraham's nephew Lot has also prospered in Egypt.

(1) Genesis 13:5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

b) When they arrive in Canaan, Abraham and Lot stumble into a range war

i) Reading 5 – Genesis 13:6-7

6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

(1) Not enough water and land for their cattle herds to coexist.

c) Abraham's Solution

i) Reading 6 – Genesis 13:8-9

8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

ii) Reading 7 - Elder Neal A. Maxwell has written "We see generosity of spirit in the life of Abraham when he and Lot, who was his nephew, found their cattle grazing on the same land. There was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham's cattle and of Lot's cattle. It is Abraham who took the initiative and said unto Lot, 'Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.' (Genesis 13:7-9.) The complete, genuine willingness of Abraham to adjust to whatever Lot's decision was is the mark of a generosity of spirit of that remarkable patriarch." (That My Family Should Partake, pp92-93)

6. Lot Goes to Sodom

a) Lot chooses the plain of Jordan – Genesis 13:10-12

i) it was well watered every where,

ii) even as the garden of the Lord,

iii) like the land of Egypt,

b) One Little Problem

i) READ Genesis 13:12-13

12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

ii) Great material wealth, but excessive sin

iii) Verse 12 – Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom

(1) He wasn't in Sodom, that would come later

(2) He dwelled in the cities of the plain looking at Sodom

(3) Reminds us of the Nephites of King Benjamin's time who pitched their tents facing the temple

7. Abraham Rescues Lot

a) There were lots of city-states in this area in addition to Sodom and Gomorrah and they started fighting with each other.

b) Sodom and Gomorrah lost a battle

i) All the goods of the cities were taken

ii) Lot and his family were taken captive along with all their possessions

c) Abraham learns that Lot and his family are captives and takes 318 of his servants and pursues the captors

d) Abraham and his servants defeat the captors

i) Free Lot, his family and all the other captives of Sodom

ii) Recapture all the goods that were taken from Sodom

8. Two Kings

a) As Abraham returns triumphant, he meets two kings

i) King of Sodom

ii) Melchizedek king of Salem

b) King of Sodom

i) Asks Abraham to release his people and tells Abraham he can keep the fortune in goods that he has recaptures

ii) Reading 8 – Genesis 14:22-23

22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

(1) I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet

(a) Shoelachet is a fastening for a sandel – like a shoelace

(2) Abraham will not accept a thread or a shoelace from Sodom

(a) Threads of immorality

(b) Flaxen cords

(c) Abraham didn't even want the slightest beginning of temptation from Sodom

c) Melchizedek king of Salem

i) READ Genesis 14:18-20

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

(1) Melchizedek was righteous – a high priest

(2) Interesting echo of the future sacrament with bread and wine

(3) Melchizedek recognized that Abraham was blessed of God

(4) Abraham paid his tithes to Melchizedek

d) This was a great test of Abraham

i) He rejected mortal rewards in favor of spiritual rewards

ii) Instead of taking the material rewards from the King of Sodom, he paid tithing to Melchizedek

9.
Destruction of Sodom

a) We move to Genesis 18

b)

Three messengers from Jehovah appear to Abraham

c) Abraham learns that the Lord is going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness.

d) Abraham pleads with the Lord not to destroy these cities, knowing that Lot and his family live in Sodom

i) Genesis 18:23-32

ii) Abraham asks if the Lord will spare Sodom if there are 50 righteous people in the city and the Lord says He will

iii) Abraham works his way down to 10 righteous people and the Lord says He will spare the city if there are 10 righteous people there

(1) Lot and his family probably comprised 10 people

e) Prayers of the Righteous

i) Reading 9: President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Our world is now much the same as it was in the days of the Nephite prophet who said: ‘… if it were not for the prayers of the righteous … ye would even now be visited with utter destruction. …’ (Al. 10:22.) Of course, there are many many upright and faithful who live all the commandments and whose lives and prayers keep the world from destruction” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 7; or Ensign, June 1971, 16).

f) Three angels (perhaps the same three men who visited Abraham) appear in Sodom and Lot takes them into his house.

i) Lot's house is surrounded by wicked men

(1) Note that the Bible says that Lot offers to give his daughters to these men, but the Joseph Smith Translation says just the opposite

(2) The angels smite the wicked men so they become blind and can't come into the house.

ii) The angels warn Lot that he and his family must leave the city because it will be destroyed.

(1) Lot tries to persuade his married children to leave, but they refuse

iii) The next morning, the angels tell Lot it is time to leave with his wife and two unmarried daughters.

iv) READ Genesis 19:15-17

15 ¶ And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

17 ¶ And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

(1) Verse 15 – The danger to Lot and his family was not just because Sodom would be destroyed, but because of their living in the city, they might be consumed in the iniquity of the city

(2) Verse 17 - look not behind thee

(3) Verse 18 - neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed

v) Read Genesis 19:24-26

24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

26 ¶ But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

10. Conclusion

Reading Assignment - Lesson 8: Living Righteously in a Wicked World

Genesis 13–14; 18–19

Study the following scriptures:

• a. Genesis 13. After living in Egypt for a time, Abraham and his family return to Canaan. Abraham settles in Hebron, and his nephew Lot settles near Sodom.
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• b. Genesis 14:1–2, 8–24. Lot is taken captive and is rescued by Abraham (14:1–2, 8–16). Abraham pays tithes to Melchizedek and refuses to accept the spoils of war from the king of Sodom (14:17–24).
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• c. Genesis 18:16–33; 19:1–29. The Lord says that he will destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the people’s wickedness (18:16–22). Abraham pleads with the Lord to spare the cities if he can find righteous people living there (18:23–33). Lot and his family are commanded to leave Sodom (19:1–23). The Lord destroys Sodom and Gomorrah (19:24–29).
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• • At first Lot “lived in the cities of the plain,” outside Sodom, but he “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). Later he lived in the city of Sodom itself (Genesis 14:12). What things might we do that are the spiritual equivalent of pitching our tents toward Sodom?
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• • What did Abraham ask when he learned that the Lord was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? (See Genesis 18:23–32.) What do we learn from the fact that the Lord would spare the cities if righteous people could be found in them.

Additional reading: Genesis 12; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40; 19:9–15.

Following Up On Assignment

What do you want to say you have done at the end of 2010?

What do you want to have become during 2010?

What differences would you want others to notice in you at the end of 2010?

Thoughts and questions:

Today we studied the Abrahamic Covenant. It has great application to each one of us and gives us. As you ponder our challenge for 2010, what thoughts to you have about the goals listed above?

Wouldn't it be nice to say that you have introduced the gospel to someone in 2010 and also done work for your kindred dead?

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have made gospel study a habit where you and your spouse grow spiritually together as you ponder upon the principles you discover in the scriptures?

Wouldn't a change that others could notice in you be one of putting into practice by example your service and love for your fellow man.

Teaching in the gospel has this objective: what will you do as a result of what you are learning?

Elder Bednar Quote About Doctrine & Understanding the Seed of Abraham

I do not know a young person who truly understands the doctrine related to "the seed of Abraham" who would violate the law of chastity. We were foreordained in the premortal existence to the blessings associated with birth through a particular lineage, even the chosen lineage of Abraham--not because we are better, not because we are more special, but because we have particular responsibilities that we covenanted we would fulfill. Therefore we came to the earth through a lineage with the birthright blessing of the priesthood. Every man who holds the priesthood was foreordained to that very responsibility in the premortal existence. Does a young man who understands that doctrine have a choice to go on a mission? He made that choice before he was ever born.

We come to the earth as the seed of Abraham to participate in blessing the families of the earth. Father Abraham was given the promise that through him and through his posterity, which is us, all the families of the earth would be blessed. How? By our bearing this ministry, which is the responsibility to proclaim the gospel, and this priesthood, meaning the saving ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have promised that we will carry this message to the nations of the earth. Brothers and sisters, you and I were born to spend our lives proclaiming the gospel and serving others. Might I suggest that if you are 65, retired, and thinking about serving a mission, you made that choice before you were ever born. It is through the lineage of Abraham that we came to the earth. Blessing others by proclaiming the gospel is what we were born to do.

As I have opportunities to visit with young people, I like to talk about what it means to be the "seed of Abraham." Hoping that the Spirit of the Lord will touch their hearts, I highlight the story of Jacob and Esau. Esau gave up his birthright blessing for a bowl of red bean soup. Now a question directed to the young people: Would you really want to forfeit your birthright as the seed of Abraham--foreordained in the premortal existence, living on the earth at this particular time to bless the families of the earth, the most glorious spiritually destiny you could ever hope for? Do you really want to give up those blessings and opportunities for a few minutes of messing around? If we understand the doctrine of who we are and why we are here, then that understanding changes the way we do things.

Listen to this statement from President Boyd K. Packer: "True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior" (Boyd K. Packer, "Little Children," Ensign, November 1986, pg. 17).

I do not intend to be harsh, but in Relief Society, priesthood, Young Men's, and Young Women's we sometimes have lessons on topics such as self-esteem, self-worth, and goal setting. Such instruction indeed can be good and valuable. But you can get the same information at the Rotary Club or a number of other secular organizations. However, at the Rotary Club you cannot get the pure, simple doctrine of the Atonement of Christ. And self-esteem and the ability to effectively set and accomplish goals ultimately comes from understanding doctrine, not just the mechanics of application.
"TEACH THEM TO UNDERSTAND"

Source: Ricks College Campus Education Week, Devotional,June 4, 1998

Who Ordained Abraham? It was Melchizedek

The Priesthood after the Flood

After the flood, Noah gave the priesthood to his righteous children and grandchildren. One righteous man who lived after Noah and who received the priesthood was Melchizedek. Melchizedek was so righteous that the priesthood was named after him (see D&C 107:2–4, which also explains that the priesthood was named after Melchizedek to avoid repeating the Lord’s name too often). Melchizedek ordained Abraham to the priesthood, and Abraham ordained others. Thus, the Melchizedek Priesthood continued to the time of Moses.

Source: Lesson 2: The Priesthood from Adam to the Restoration,” Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A, 9

From Joseph Smith’s inspired pen comes new knowledge about Old Testament writings and characters.

6. MELCHIZEDEK. Melchizedek is something of a mystery man in the Bible, being mentioned only briefly in connection with Abraham (Gen. 14:18–20), in Psalms (Ps. 110:4), and a few times in Hebrews (Heb. 5–7). In these passages he is presented as a great priest unto whom Abraham paid tithes, but little else is forthcoming. From latter-day revelation we learn that he was a great preacher of righteousness who brought a whole people to repentance (see Alma 13:18–19); that he ordained Abraham to the priesthood (D&C 84:14); that he was such a great high priest that the priesthood was named after him by the church in ancient times (D&C 107:1–4). None of this is contained in the Bible.

Source: Robert J. Matthews, “Modern Revelation: Window to the Old Testament,” Ensign, Oct 1973, 21

From Joseph Smith’s inspired pen comes new knowledge about Old Testament writings and characters.

The Abrahamic Covenant

Sherwood Hills Ward Gospel Doctrine Class – February 14, 2010

Lesson 7 – Lesson Outline


Purpose

Understand the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant.

What is a patriarchal blessing?

Reading Number One:

The First Presidency said: “Patriarchal blessings [are] an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient, and also, where so moved upon by the Spirit, an inspired and prophetic statement of the life mission of the recipient, together with such blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give. … The realization of all promised blessings is conditioned upon faithfulness to the gospel of our Lord” (letter to stake presidents, 28 June 1957; quoted in Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 558).

How many of you have received your patriarchal blessing? What does it mean to have the patriarch declare our lineage in a blessing? (When a patriarch declares our lineage, he reveals to us that we are descendants of the prophet Abraham through Ephraim, Manasseh, or another of Abraham’s descendants.)

This lesson discusses the blessings we can receive and the responsibilities we have as Abraham’s descendants.


1. God covenants with Abraham.
Read Abraham 1:1–4; 2:1–11; and Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9.

When Abraham was a young man, he wanted to be righteous and live worthy of the blessings of God. According to Abraham 1:2–4, what blessings did Abraham desire?

God directed Abraham and his family to leave their home in Ur and travel to a land they named Haran (Abraham 2:1–4). There Abraham prayed and received a vision in which God covenanted to bless him and his posterity.


Reading Number Two: Abrahamic Covenant – Bible Dictionary Definition

Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity (D&C 132: 29-50; Abr. 2: 6-11). Included in the divine promises to Abraham were the assurances that1 Christ would come through his lineage, and that2 Abraham’s posterity would receive certain lands as an eternal inheritance (Gen. 17; Gen. 22: 15-18; Gal. 3; Abr. 2). These promises taken together are called the Abrahamic covenant. It was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 26: 1-4, 24) and again with Jacob (Gen. 28; Gen. 35: 9-13; Gen. 48: 3-4).

The portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation and eternal increase are renewed with each individual who receives the ordinance of celestial marriage (see D&C 132: 29-33). Those of non-Israelite lineage, commonly known as gentiles, are adopted into the house of Israel, and become heirs of the covenant and the seed of Abraham, through the ordinances of the gospel (Gal. 3: 26-29).

Being an heir to the Abrahamic covenant does not make one a “chosen person” per se, but does signify that such are chosen to responsibly carry the gospel to all the peoples of the earth. Abraham’s seed have carried out the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day. (Matt. 3: 9; Abr. 2: 9-11).

To fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham - having particular reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to all of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2: 10-11) - a number of specific and particular things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the priesthood must be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power must be given again to mortals, Israel must be gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be poured out upon the gentiles. All this has already taken place or is in process of fulfillment.


This is called the Abrahamic covenant. What blessings did God promise Abraham in this covenant? (See Abraham 2:6–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9.

Abraham had to wait many years before some of these promised blessings were fulfilled, and they are still being fulfilled today.




2. We are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant.

All Church members are the “seed of Abraham,” which means we are his descendants.

Reading Number Three: Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs” (“How One May Become of the House of Israel,” Improvement Era, Oct. 1923, 1149).

As the seed of Abraham, Church members are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. How do we become heirs to this covenant?

(When we are baptized into the Church, the Abrahamic covenant’s promise of salvation is renewed with us. When we are sealed in the temple, the Abrahamic covenant’s promise of exaltation is renewed with us. To receive the blessings of the covenant, we must fulfill the associated responsibilities and live worthily.)

Reading Number Four: Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:

Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation); then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase; finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. (Abra. Abraham 2:6–11; D. & C. D&C 132:29–50.) Included in the divine promises to Abraham was the assurance that Christ would come through his lineage, and the assurance that Abraham’s posterity would receive certain choice, promised lands as an eternal inheritance. (Abra. Abraham 2; Gen. Genesis 17; 22:15–18; Gal. Galatians 3.)

All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant. This covenant was renewed with Isaac (Gen. Genesis 24:60; 26:1–4, 24) and again with Jacob. (Gen. Genesis 28; 35:9–13; 48:3–4.) Those portions of it which pertain to personal exaltation and eternal increase are renewed with each member of the house of Israel who enters the order of celestial marriage; through that order the participating parties become inheritors of all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (D. & C. D&C 132; Rom. Romans 9:4; Gal. Galatians 3; 4.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 13).

What blessings can we receive through the Abrahamic covenant?

(We can receive all the blessings that Abraham received, as outlined in the preceding chart. These blessings include the gospel, the priesthood, exaltation, and eternal family relationships.)

What are our responsibilities as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant?

(See Abraham 2:9, 11; Genesis 18:19. We are to help all of God’s children, living and dead, receive the full blessings of the gospel. We are also to obey God’s commandments.)

How can we help others receive the gospel?

(By doing missionary work, by performing temple ordinances for the dead, and by being examples of righteousness.)




Reading Number Five:

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The responsibility of the seed of Abraham, which we are, is to be missionaries to ‘bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations’ (Abraham 2:9)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 107; or Ensign, May 1987, 85).

Reading Number Six:

Elder Boyd K. Packer made the following analogy to emphasize our responsibility to share the gospel with others:

“Imagine that our bishop has appointed us to plan a picnic for ward members. It is to be the best social in the history of the ward, and we are to spare no expense. We reserve a beautiful picnic ground in the country. We are to have it all to ourselves.

The day arrives and everything is perfect. The tables are set and the feast is spectacular. Then, just as the blessing is being said, an old car turns into the picnic grounds and sputters to a stop. A worried man lifts the hood, and a spout of steam comes out. Several children climb out of the car. An anxious mother takes a box to a nearby table. She puts a few leftovers on the table, trying to make them look like a meal for her hungry children. But there is not enough.

When one of the little girls sees our table. She pulls her little brother over to us and pushes her head between you and me. We move aside. The little girl says, “Look at that; I wonder what that tastes like.”

What would we do? Would we ignore the people or ask them to be quiet? Would we show them back to their table and give them some of the food we don’t really need? Or would we invite them to come and join us, to sit between us and share the feast, and to let us help fix their car and give them something for their journey?

Elder Packer asks: “Could there be more pure enjoyment than seeing how much we could get those hungry children to eat? Could there be more satisfaction than to interrupt our festivities to help [them] fix their car? …

“… There are people across the world and about us—our neighbors, our friends, some in our own families—who, spiritually speaking, are undernourished. Some of them are starving to death! If we keep all this to ourselves, it is not unlike feasting before those who are hungry” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1984, 59–61; or Ensign, May 1984, 41–42).

What does this analogy teach about our responsibility to help others receive the blessings of the gospel? (We have been blessed with the fulness of the gospel, the greatest feast the world has ever known [D&C 58:8–12]. God expects us to share this blessing with others, both living and dead.)

How is the declaration of lineage in our patriarchal blessings like a call to fulfill our responsibilities as heirs to the Abrahamic covenant? (By declaring that we are the seed of Abraham, our patriarchal blessings reemphasize our privilege to receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and our obligation to fulfill its responsibi

The challenge of living in the world

The ancient Israelites were surrounded by many nations whose people did not believe in the true God. These nations included the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Egyptians, and others. (Look at Map 2)

Why do you think the Lord put his covenant people in the middle of the ancient world instead of where they could be left alone? (See Deuteronomy 4:6–8. He wanted them to set an example for others and to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant to bless all nations.)

Many stories in the Old Testament show the success or failure of the Lord’s people to keep their covenants and influence others toward righteousness. Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and many others were righteous influences. Samson, Ahab, the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness, and others allowed the world to influence them.

As he did with ancient Israel, the Lord has placed us, his latter-day covenant people, in the middle of the world. Our challenge is to influence the world in righteous ways rather than allowing the world to influence us in unrighteous ways.

Reading Assignment for Sunday February 14, 2010

Do you understand the Abrahamic Covenant?

“Lesson 7: The Abrahamic Covenant,” Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, 6

Abraham 1:1–4; 2:1–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9

Study Abraham 1:1–4; 2:1–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9. In these passages Abraham seeks to be righteous and worthy of the blessings of God. God covenants with Abraham, promising that Abraham will have a numerous posterity who will receive a promised land and the blessings of the priesthood and the gospel.

All Church members are the seed of Abraham, which means we are his descendants and heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. These great blessings come to us when we keep gospel covenants. The first covenant we make is baptism. We later receive the fulness of the Abrahamic covenant in the temple.



• What blessings did the Lord promise Abraham as part of the Abrahamic covenant? (See Abraham 2:6–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9.)


• What are our responsibilities as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant? (See Abraham 2:9, 11; Genesis 18:19.)

Additional reading: Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–24, 29–32; Genesis 15; “Abraham, Covenant of,” Bible Dictionary, page 602.

Old Testament Lessons 5&6

What do you want to say you have done at the end of 2010?

What do you want to have become during 2010?

What differences would you want others to notice in you at the end of 2010?

Lesson 5: “If Thou Doest Well, Thou Shalt Be Accepted”, Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 17

Lesson 6: “Noah … Prepared an Ark to the Saving of His House”, Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 23

1. Adam's Children

a) Pursuant to the commandments of the Lord, Adam and Eve were fruitful, multiplied and replenished the earth

i) READ – Moses 5:2 - Adam knew his wife, and she bare unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth.

b) Adam and Eve taught their children the Gospel

i) READ – Moses 5:12 - Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.

2. Satan Comes Among the children of Adam and Eve

a) Think of the situation in which Adam and Eve found themselves

i) The first mortals to be parents on the earth

ii) Starting from scratch

iii) No scriptures

iv) No primary or mutual

v) No traditions and practices of successful family life to emulate

b) Guess Who Shows UP

i) Reading 1 – Moses 5:13-15

13 And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish.

14 And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded them that they should repent;

15 And as many as believed in the Son, and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.

(1) Verse 13 - Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God

(2) Verse 13 - he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not,

(3) Verse 13 - they loved Satan more than God

(4) men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish

(5) Verse 14 – Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere

(6) Verse 14 - and commanded them that they should repent

3. Cain and Abel

a) Eve bears Cain and Abel

i) Does no appear that Cain was the firstborn

b) Reading 2 – Moses 5:16-17

16 And Adam and Eve, his wife, ceased not to call upon God. And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain, and said: I have gotten a man from the Lord; wherefore he may not reject his words. But behold, Cain hearkened not, saying: Who is the Lord that I should know him?

17 And she again conceived and bare his brother Abel. And Abel hearkened unto the voice of the Lord. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

i) Verse 16 - Adam and Eve, his wife, ceased not to call upon God

(1) Praying for their children

ii) Verse 16 - Cain hearkened not, saying: Who is the Lord that I should know him?

(1) What does this say about Cain?

(a) Obedient?

(b) Reverent?

iii) Verse 17 - Abel hearkened unto the voice of the Lord

c) Cain's Disobedience

i) Reading 3 – Moses 5:18-24

18 And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord.

19 And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

20 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering;

21 But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect. Now Satan knew this, and it pleased him. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

22 And the Lord said unto Cain: Why art thou wroth? Why is thy countenance fallen?

23 If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee according to his desire. And thou shalt rule over him;

24 For from this time forth thou shalt be the father of his lies; thou shalt be called Perdition; for thou wast also before the world.

(1) Verse 18 - Cain loved Satan more than God

(2) Verse 18 - Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord

(a) Whose commands was Satan following?

(b) If Satan commands an offering unto the Lord, is he doing so in order that the Lord will bless Cain?

(3) Verse 19 - Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

(4) Verse 20 - Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof

(5) Verse 20 - the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering

(6) Verse 21 - But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect

(7) ASK – What's wrong with Cain's offering of the fruits of the field?

(a) READ – Moses 5:5 - 5 And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord.

(b) What did Cain offer? – The fruit of the ground

(c) Reading 4 - The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith. … Shedding the blood of the Only Begotten to atone for man … was the plan of redemption; … and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man was to discern the great Sacrifice which God had prepared; to offer a sacrifice contrary to that, no faith could be exercised … ; consequently Cain could have no faith; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 58).

(d) ASK – How would the Lord feel if, for the Sacrament this morning, the Deacons passed around hot dogs and beer?

(e) Other Problems with Cain's Offering

(i) He loved Satan more than God

(ii) He offered sacrifice because Satan commanded him to

(iii) His offering was in direct disobedience to God – he changed a priesthood ordinance without authorization

(8) Verse 23 - If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee according to his desire

(a) The Lord invites Cain to repent and tells him that he will be accepted.

ii) Cain's response to this invitation

(1) Moses 5:27 - 26 And Cain was wroth, and listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, his brother, who walked in holiness before the Lord.

(2) Satan gains power over Cain and they create the first Secret Combination – Moses 5:29-31

(a) Cain boasts that he is Master Mahan – a title denoting that he is the master of evil and deception

(b) He can murder and get gain

d) Cain marries and has children and draws all of the descendants of Adam and Eve who are evil together

4. Enoch

a) Enoch is a fourth great-grandson of Adam

b) Enoch receives a calling from the Lord

i) Reading 5 – Moses 6:27-29

27 And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;

28 And for these many generations, ever since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder, and have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father, Adam.

29 Wherefore, they have foresworn themselves, and, by their oaths, they have brought upon themselves death; and a hell I have prepared for them, if they repent not;

(1) Verse 27 - prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent

(2) Verse 27 - I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off

(3) Verse 28 - they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark

(4) Verse 28 - in their own abominations have they devised murder

(5) Verse 28 - have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father, Adam

(6) Verse 29 - by their oaths, they have brought upon themselves death; and a hell I have prepared for them, if they repent not

(7) Interesting that Satan promised Cain that his murder would be kept a secret, but sins cannot be kept secret from the Lord.

ii) Note that Enoch is "slow of speech" – Moses 6:31, just like Moses

c) Enoch is obedient and goes forth preaching repentance to the people – trying to save them from death

i) READ – Moses 6:37 - 37 And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him.

ii) READ – Moses 6:38-39

38 And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers: Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go yonder to behold the seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in the land; a wild man hath come among us.

39 And it came to pass when they heard him, no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God.

iii) How similar is this to the experiences of thousands of missionaries

(1) People are upset with them

(2) They listen to them, thinking they are strange – "a wild man hath come among us"

(3) The Holy Ghost testifies to those who hear the missionaries and they are influenced by the Spirit – "no man laid hands on him" "fear came on all them that heard him"

(4) Why do the people react this way to missionaries they were formerly upset with ? "he walked with God"

d) What does Enoch teach to those who will listen to him?

i) Moses 6:47-63

ii) The Plan of Salvation

(1) Creation, Fall and Atonement of Christ

(2) Baptism

(3) Receipt of Holy Ghost

(4) Free Agency – Verse 56

iii) The people are to teach these things to their children

iv) Verse 62 – Atonement " This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time."

e) Enoch's faith gives him great power

i) Reading 6 – Moses 7:13

13 And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.

(1) so great was the faith of Enoch

(2) he led the people of God

(3) their enemies came to battle against them;

(a) We may sometimes forget that Enoch was a great wartime leader

(4) and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command

(5) the rivers of water were turned out of their course

(6) the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness

(a) These must have been desperate battles for the Lord to provide such great miracles

(b) Think of what Captain Moroni would have done to the Lamanites if he could move mountains and rivers

(7) all nations feared greatly

(8) so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him

(a) Remember, Enoch starts out with everyone hating him because he is slow of speech

ii) Reading 7 – Moses 7:16-19

16 And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.

17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.

18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.

(1) The story of Enoch and his people is a type and a lesson concerning the Saints in the last days

(2) Verse 16 - from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness

(3) Verse 17 - the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish

(4) Verse 18 - the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them

(5) Verse 19 - he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion

iii) READ - In the midst of a great vision given to Enoch, Moses 7:23 tells us that "And after that Zion was taken up into heaven "

iv) ASK – Do we see why the prophesies of the return of the City of Enoch in the last days are so apt and relevant?

v) ASK – Can we draw strength to live righteously as evil seems to gain in power every day by remembering what Enoch and his people were able to accomplish during times that were at least as evil? Can we appreciate the fact that Enoch and his people will return to help us?

5. Enoch's Vision – Continuing in Moses 7

a) The Lord shows Enoch a great vision of all things from the beginning to the end of the earth.

b) Enoch sees the great and widespread wickedness among all the people of the earth and does not know what can be done to save them

c) Enoch sees the Messiah coming in the meridian of time as the only means by which men can be saved.

d) Enoch sees the Lord weep because of the disobedience and sin of those men and women for whom Christ created the earth and who He would die to save.

e) The Lord shows Enoch a vision of Noah and his ark and the great flood.

f) Enoch even hears the earth itself groan because of the wickedness of men

g) READ – Moses 7:48-52

48 And it came to pass that Enoch looked upon the earth; and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof, saying: Wo, wo is me, the mother of men; I am pained, I am weary, because of the wickedness of my children. When shall I rest, and be cleansed from the filthiness which is gone forth out of me? When will my Creator sanctify me, that I may rest, and righteousness for a season abide upon my face?

49 And when Enoch heard the earth mourn, he wept, and cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, wilt thou not have compassion upon the earth? Wilt thou not bless the children of Noah?

50 And it came to pass that Enoch continued his cry unto the Lord, saying: I ask thee, O Lord, in the name of thine Only Begotten, even Jesus Christ, that thou wilt have mercy upon Noah and his seed, that the earth might never more be covered by the floods.

51 And the Lord could not withhold; and he covenanted with Enoch, and sware unto him with an oath, that he would stay the floods; that he would call upon the children of Noah;

52 And he sent forth an unalterable decree, that a remnant of his seed should always be found among all nations, while the earth should stand;

i) What is the promise?

(1) Noah and his children will be blessed

(2) After Noah, the earth will no more be covered by floods

(3) A remnant of Enoch's seed should always be found among all nations

6. Noah

a) Noah's Genealogy

i) One of Enoch's sons was not taken up to heaven with the City of Enoch

(1) READ – Moses 8:2 - Methuselah, the son of Enoch, was not taken, that the covenants of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to Enoch; for he truly covenanted with Enoch that Noah should be of the fruit of his loins.

ii) Methuselah had a son named Lamech – Mosiah 8:5

iii) Lamech was the father of Noah – Moses 8:9

b) With the departure of the City of Enoch, there were very few righteous people left on the earth and a great famine spread

c) READ - Moses 8:13 - Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God.

d) Who is Noah?

i) Reading 8 – Joseph Smith said: "Then to Noah, who is Gabriel: he stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in this day, and to him was given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in heaven." (TPJS p157)

(1) Which angel would appear both to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist and Mary, the mother of Christ? Gabriel.

e) Noah Preaches Repentance

i) READ – Moses 8:16-17,19-20

16 And it came to pass that Noah prophesied, and taught the things of God, even as it was in the beginning.

17 And the Lord said unto Noah: My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he shall know that all flesh shall die; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years; and if men do not repent, I will send in the floods upon them.

[SKIP]

19 And the Lord ordained Noah after his own order, and commanded him that he should go forth and declare his Gospel unto the children of men, even as it was given unto Enoch.

20 And it came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; but they hearkened not unto his words;

(1) Note – In Moses 8:18 and Genesis 6:4, the term "giants" is used. Alternate translation of the original Hebrew word, nephilim, is "fallen ones". I am informed that some German bibles translate the word as "tyrants".

f) The people do not respond and all the earth, other than Noah and his family, become evil.

g) READ Moses 8:28-30

28 The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence.

29 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth.

30 And God said unto Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence, and behold I will destroy all flesh from off the earth.

h) In order to save His creation and provide a place where His spirit children could be born and have an opportunity to grow up in righteousness, it was necessary for Heavenly Father to destroy all flesh living on the earth, except for Noah, his family and the animals that were carried on the ark.

i) The flood was, in a sense, a reversal of creation, a reset button for the earth.

j) Reading 9 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: "The coming of the flood of Noah, and with it the 'end of the world' for the carnal civilization of that day, is a perfect type of the coming of the Lord, and the end of the world for the wicked of the latter-days. In both days all the normal activities of life continue until Deity intervenes to stay the mounting mass of iniquity." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:667)

7. The Ark

a) Noah was commanded to build an ark – Genesis 6:14

b) Jewish tradition says that it required 52 years for Noah to complete the ark.

c) The ark was quite large – about 450 feet long – almost as long as a modern Navy destroyer

d) Reading 10 - President Spencer W. Kimball explained that when Noah built the ark, “there was no evidence of rain and flood. … His warnings were considered irrational. … How foolish to build an ark on dry ground with the sun shining and life moving forward as usual! But time ran out. The ark was finished. The floods came. The disobedient and rebellious were drowned. The miracle of the ark followed the faith manifested in its building” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 5–6).

8. The Flood

a) Rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights. – Genesis 7:12

b) The earth was covered with water for 150 days – Genesis 7:24

c) Genesis 7:23 - "And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark."

9. After the Flood

a) The first thing that Noah did after getting off the ark was to build an altar and make an offering – Genesis 8:20

b) The Lord makes a covenant with Noah that He will never cause the earth to be flooded again. This is related to the promise the Lord made to Enoch.

i) READ Genesis 9:8-17

8 ¶ And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

ii) Joseph Smith spoke in an interesting manner about the rainbow: "I have asked of the Lord concerning His coming; and while asking the Lord, He gave a sign and said, 'In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant'." (TPJS, pp340-341)

c) All men and women who live on the earth today are descendants of Adam and Eve, of Enoch and his wife and of Noah and his wife.

10. The Tower of Babel

a) "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech" (Genesis 11:1)

b) "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4)

c) Brother Hugh Nibley: "An investigation of the oldest temples...concludes that those high structures were also 'gigantic altars,' built both to attract the attention of the powers above...and to provide 'the stairways which the god, in answer to these prayers, used in order to descend to the earth. . . . He comes bringing a renewal of life in all its forms.' From the first, it would seem, men built altars in the hopes of establishing contact with heaven, and built high towers for the same purpose (see Genesis 11:4)." (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, 4:360)

d) Elder Orson F. Whitney: "The people who built the Tower of Babel are said to have done so in order that its top might 'reach unto heaven.' It was to prevent them from accomplishing this purpose, that the Lord confounded their language. Tradition credits Joseph Smith with the statement that the 'heaven' they had in view was the translated city." (Saturday Night Thoughts, p.101)

e) "...and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4)

i) A name for ourselves: Achieving wealth and the things of the earth; power; glory and the honors of men; following our own earthly pursuits. We may achieve greatness in this life, but it will end just as surely as does our mortal life.

ii) Taking upon us the name of Christ: Christ and the gospel is the focus of our life; we strive to honor him; we seek to obey his will rather than our temporal desires. Though we may have little in this life, we will have made a name for ourselves in the eternities.

f) Genesis 11:9 - 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

i) Babel is the root word of Babylon and it is thought that the ancient city of Babylon was built on the site where the tower of Babel was built.