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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 5: January 26 - February 1: "Teach These Things Freely unto Your Children"

Genesis 5; Moses 6

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • In Moses 6:57–58, Adam and Eve taught their children about repentance, baptism, and Jesus Christ. This highlights the divine expectation that gospel learning begins in the home. Consistent, Christ-centered teaching shapes testimonies and strengthens family covenants.

When parents teach “by the Spirit,” children are more likely to feel the truth of gospel principles (see Teaching in the Savior’s Way). By modeling faith, patience, and love, parents help children desire to follow Christ, not just obey rules.

Enoch taught that through water, Spirit, and blood we are born again and cleansed from sin (Moses 6:59–60). This parallels Jesus’ teaching in John 3:5. The ordinances of baptism and confirmation are not symbolic alone—they invite a real transformation of heart and spirit.

Moses 6:62 teaches that Christ’s mission—from Creation to Resurrection—was designed to make salvation possible. All commandments, covenants, and ordinances center on Him. Living His doctrine ensures that we “walk with Him” toward eternal life.

  • Though Enoch saw himself as slow of speech and unworthy, the Lord strengthened him (Moses 6:31–34). By exercising faith, Enoch gained the power to preach, protect, and eventually lead a people who walked with God. His story illustrates that God magnifies the humble.

Moses 6:68 records that Enoch became a “son of God” through his righteousness. This shows that discipleship is not only about believing in Christ but also becoming like Him. As we walk with God daily, we are transformed into His likeness.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The events in Genesis 5 and Moses 6 occur in the generations following Adam, focusing on Enoch’s ministry. This was a time when wickedness was spreading rapidly across the earth, but God raised up prophets to preserve truth.

Enoch, a descendant of Adam through Seth, lived in a world that was increasingly rejecting God. Despite being young and feeling inadequate, he was called by the Lord to preach repentance to a hardened people. His prophetic ministry eventually led to the establishment of Zion, a city so righteous it was taken into heaven.

  • The contrast between the wicked world and the community that “walked with God” demonstrates the power of covenant faithfulness. Even in times of pervasive corruption, God’s people could live in holiness and unity.
  • For us today, the story of Enoch reminds us that despite societal pressures and moral decline, it is possible to create Zion-like communities—beginning with our homes and extending outward—through faith, obedience, and unity with God.
  • In Moses 6:5–6, Adam and Eve are described as keeping a “book of remembrance” and teaching their children “in the language of Adam.” This emphasizes that sacred records and oral teaching were central to preserving faith across generations. Prophets such as Enoch did not emerge in isolation; their faith was nurtured by parents who taught diligently in their homes.
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  • This aligns with modern prophetic counsel that the home is the center of gospel learning. While Church classes are helpful, the primary responsibility for teaching rests with parents, just as it did in Adam’s family.
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  • It underscores the value of family scripture study, journaling, and preserving testimonies for future generations. Just as Adam’s family relied on records, our children benefit from written and spoken testimonies passed down in love.
  • In Moses 6:59–60, Enoch teaches that baptism, the Spirit, and Christ’s blood combine to make us “born again.” This powerful metaphor helps us understand discipleship not as surface-level change but as an entirely new beginning through Jesus Christ.
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  • The “birth” imagery ties the plan of salvation to our mortal experience—just as birth brings us into earthly life, being “born again” through Christ brings us into spiritual life. This makes the doctrine tangible and relatable.
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  • This insight deepens our appreciation for ordinances. Baptism is more than a ritual washing—it symbolizes dying to sin and being reborn in Christ. The Holy Ghost then nurtures us in this new life, guiding our growth toward God’s likeness.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Joseph Smith fabricated the account of Enoch and his city in the Book of Moses.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Ancient Jewish and Christian traditions outside the Bible describe Enoch as a prophet who received visions of heaven, preached repentance, and built a righteous community. Joseph Smith had no access to these texts in 1830.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Early Latter-day Saints who heard Joseph dictate the revelations in Moses testified that he received them by inspiration, often without notes or manuscripts. His consistency and lack of prior training in ancient traditions point to divine origin.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Modern revelation and the Spirit affirm that Zion is not fiction but a divine pattern, showing what God’s people can achieve when they live in unity and righteousness. Many Saints testify to feeling the Spirit when studying these passages.
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  10. Logical Analysis: It is unlikely Joseph, a 24-year-old with limited education, could have independently reconstructed themes found in ancient Enoch traditions unknown to him. The congruence suggests inspiration, not fabrication.
  • Claim: “Joseph Smith simply borrowed evangelical language about spiritual rebirth.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: While spiritual rebirth was a common Christian theme, the Book of Moses uses unique imagery of water, Spirit, and blood (Moses 6:59–60) that parallels both John 3:5 and early Christian texts. This depth goes beyond simple borrowing.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Early converts such as Parley P. Pratt noted that Joseph’s revelations opened doctrines “with new light and intelligence” unlike anything they had encountered in Protestant churches. This suggests an inspired expansion rather than copying.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Many Latter-day Saints report that these verses deepen their understanding of baptism and the Holy Ghost in ways that standard Christian teachings did not, strengthening their testimonies of the Restoration.
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  • Logical Analysis: If Joseph were imitating revivalist preaching, the text would mirror their phrasing closely. Instead, it introduces theological precision and symbolic connections absent in Joseph’s environment, pointing to revelatory origin.
  • Claim: “Writing didn’t exist that early, so Joseph Smith invented the story.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Modern archaeology has uncovered evidence of early writing systems (such as cuneiform and hieroglyphics) far older than previously assumed, supporting the plausibility of record-keeping in ancient times.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Joseph dictated these passages rapidly and consistently without revising or backtracking, which witnesses described as remarkable. This makes the idea of him fabricating complex historical claims unlikely.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Saints today find that keeping personal and family records strengthens faith, just as Moses 6 describes. The Spirit testifies that the principle is inspired, regardless of skeptical academic debate.
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  • Logical Analysis: Even if skeptics doubt Adam’s writing, the principle of keeping a “book of remembrance” aligns with God’s consistent pattern of record-keeping in scripture (e.g., brass plates, chronicles, New Testament gospels), which strengthens the claim’s authenticity.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Set aside regular time for family scripture study and gospel conversations.

Consistent gospel teaching in the home strengthens testimonies and allows the Spirit to guide children. Like Adam’s family, we pass on faith when we teach in word and example (Moses 6:5–6).

  1. – Choose a regular time each day or week for family scripture study.
  2. – Keep lessons short, simple, and Spirit-focused.
  3. – Invite children or family members to share insights or questions.
  4. – Record impressions or stories in a “book of remembrance.”

Encouraging Thought:

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” Home-centered gospel teaching ensures that influence is felt.

Action Step: Each day, consciously repent and invite the Spirit to renew your heart.

Enoch taught that we are spiritually reborn through water, Spirit, and blood (Moses 6:59–60). This rebirth allows us to experience Christ’s cleansing power continually, not just once at baptism.

  1. – Begin prayer each morning by asking for forgiveness and renewal.
  2. – Read scripture or listen to inspired words to invite the Spirit.
  3. – Reflect at night on moments where you felt God’s presence.
  4. – Partake of the sacrament weekly with renewed intent to follow Christ.

Encouraging Thought:

Elder David A. Bednar said, “We can be born again, not just once but many times, as we consistently yield our hearts to God.”

  • Action Step: Establish small, daily patterns that invite God’s presence.

Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24; Moses 6:34, 68), showing us that discipleship is not a one-time act but a steady, lifelong pattern. When we walk with God, we become more like Him.

  1. – Start and end the day with sincere prayer.
  2. – Look for ways to show kindness and serve others.
  3. – Pause during the day to invite the Spirit before making decisions.
  4. – Keep commitments made in covenants, including Sabbath observance.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Elder Jeffrey R. Holland counseled, “If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived.” Walking with God sometimes feels hard—but it always leads to joy.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand the importance of teaching and recording gospel truths in the home.

Paper or journals, pens/markers, scriptures (Moses 6:5–6).

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Show an old family photo, heirloom, or journal. Ask: “Why do families keep records?”
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Moses 6:5–6 together. Discuss why Adam’s family wrote and taught the gospel. Emphasize that gospel records strengthen faith across generations.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to start their own “Book of Remembrance.” Each person writes a short testimony, favorite scripture, or an experience with God.

Follow-Up Question: How could keeping and sharing your own record strengthen your family now and in the future?

Objective: Teach that baptism and the Spirit bring spiritual rebirth.

A glass of water, food coloring, a small drop of bleach (or similar “cleansing” visual), scriptures (Moses 6:59–60).

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Show the glass of clear water, then add a drop of food coloring. Ask: “What does this represent?” (sin, mistakes).

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Moses 6:59–60. Add a drop of bleach to restore the water. Discuss how Christ’s atonement cleanses us through baptism and the Spirit.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to reflect on ways they can experience “spiritual rebirth” daily through repentance and the Holy Ghost.

Follow-Up Question: What daily practices can help you stay spiritually clean and renewed in Christ?

Objective: Inspire learners to apply Enoch’s example of walking with God in everyday life.

Paper footprints (cutouts) or sticky notes, scriptures (Genesis 5:24; Moses 6:34, 68).

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Place paper footprints around the room. Ask learners: “If these footprints led to God, what choices would we make along the way?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Genesis 5:24 and Moses 6:68. Discuss what it means that Enoch “walked with God.”

Application (5 min): On each footprint, learners write one daily action (prayer, kindness, service, keeping covenants) that helps them walk with God. Place them in a path leading to a picture of Christ.

Follow-Up Question: What specific step can you take this week to walk more closely with God?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • Adam’s family kept a Book of Remembrance and taught the gospel in the home (Moses 6:5–6).

     

  • Enoch taught the doctrine of Christ—repentance, baptism, the Spirit, and being born again (Moses 6:59–60).

     

  • Walking with God, as Enoch did, transforms disciples into His likeness (Genesis 5:24; Moses 6:68).

     

  • Zion is possible when God’s people live in unity and righteousness.

     

  • Spiritual rebirth is ongoing—repentance and the Spirit renew us daily.
  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • God has always called prophets to guide His people, from Adam to Enoch to our day. Their teachings align with scripture, testify of Christ, and invite the Spirit to confirm truth. Modern prophets provide living guidance adapted to today’s challenges, just as ancient prophets did in theirs.
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • Prophets and disciples are mortal, so mistakes happen. Yet God’s pattern shows that truth is preserved despite human weakness (see Moses 6:31–34 where God strengthened Enoch). Allowing imperfections shows that divine power comes from God, not man, and invites us to exercise faith and personal revelation.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way — Christlike patterns for gospel instruction