Advanced Scholarly Study Guide: Come, Follow Me 2026 – Week 3

Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
Divine Creation, Human Divinity, and Covenantal Stewardship

Doctrinal Architecture: Three-Lens Analysis

Ancient Context: The Creation narratives in Genesis 1–2, Moses 2–3, and Abraham 4–5 portray a purposeful organization from chaos, as the earth transitions from “without form, and void” (Genesis 1:2; Abraham 4:2) to a majestic, life-sustaining sphere. Multiple accounts emphasize the collaborative divine council, with the Gods organizing under the direction of the Only Begotten (Moses 2:1; Abraham 4:1).

Modern Application: These texts reveal Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as ongoing Creators, transforming personal chaos into divine potential, much as They “make light shine in dark moments” and “fill our emptiness with life” (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). Principles of sacred bodies, eternal marriage, stewardship, and Sabbath observance extend into daily covenant living.

Eternal Principle: Humanity, created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26–27; Moses 2:26–27; Abraham 4:26–27), embodies the potential for exaltation, reflecting covenantal patterns where divine organization foreshadows personal sanctification across dispensations.

Exegetical Analysis: Textual Archaeology

Delving into 10 key passages uncovers layered meanings through prophetic restoration texts.

1. Genesis 1:1–25; Moses 2:1–25; Abraham 4:1–25: “By mine Only Begotten I created these things” (Moses 2:1). These parallel accounts reveal progressive organization by divine plurality, teaching reverence for the Creator amid natural beauty.

2. Genesis 1:26–27: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Restoration clarifies premortal council origins, countering chaos with purposeful divine similitude.

3. Moses 2:26–27: God proclaims creation “male and female,” emphasizing eternal complementarity essential to divine identity.

4. Genesis 1:27–28; Moses 2:28; Abraham 4:28: The dominion mandate assigns stewardship: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28), linking procreation to sacred responsibility.

5. Genesis 2:18–25; Moses 3:18, 21–24; Abraham 5:14–18: Eve’s role as essential companion prefigures eternal marriage, organized “for time and for all eternity by the power of [the] everlasting priesthood” (Russell M. Nelson, “Lessons from Eve,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 87).

6. Genesis 2:2–3; Moses 3:2–3; Abraham 5:2–3: The seventh day’s sanctification establishes rhythmic holiness: “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:3).

7. Doctrine and Covenants 101:32–34 (cross-referenced): Affirms purposeful creation for eternal progression.

8. Mosiah 3:19; Ether 12:27 (cited): Natural tendencies yield to divine image through meekness and charity.

9. Doctrine and Covenants 59:16–21; 104:13–18 (cited): Expands stewardship to gratitude and accountability.

10. Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–13 (cited): Sabbath as delight, echoing Creation’s rest.

These layers reveal typological progression from cosmic order to personal godliness.

Historical & Cultural Matrix: Temporal Bridges

In ancient Near Eastern contexts, creation myths depicted warring gods imposing order on primordial waters (Genesis 1:2). Restoration accounts bridge this by portraying collaborative “Gods” organizing unformed matter without conflict (Abraham 4:1–2), illuminating symbolic fulfillment in Christ’s meridian mediation. Modern bridges connect Edenic ideals to “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” affirming marriage’s centrality amid contemporary redefinitions (see Genesis 1:27–28). Stewardship counters industrial exploitation, as ancient husbandry mandates endure (Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18), forging prophetic arcs from Eden to millennial Zion.

Scholarly Cross-Reference Web Matrix

Doctrinal Threads Across Dispensations

Primary Pattern: Humanity Created in God's Image for Covenantal Stewardship
├─ Ancient Foundations (Genesis through Malachi)
│ ├─ Genesis 1:26–27: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."
│ ├─ Genesis 1:28: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth."
│ └─ Prophetic type/symbol: Edenic marriage as type of eternal union (Genesis 2:24).
│
├─ Meridian Fulfillment (New Testament parallels)
│ ├─ 1 Corinthians 11:11: "Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord."
│ ├─ John 1:1–3: Word as Creator, fulfilling premortal council.
│ └─ Gospel fulfillment: Christ's dominion restores divine image (see Mosiah 3:19).
│
├─ Restoration Revelation (D&C/Pearl of Great Price)
│ ├─ Moses 2:26–27: "In the image of mine Only Begotten... male and female created he them."
│ ├─ Abraham 4:27: Gods organize mankind in Their likeness.
│ └─ Latter-day application: Bodies as sacred gifts (Doctrine and Covenants 59:16–21).
│
└─ Living Prophets (From bundle sources only)
├─ Russell M. Nelson, “Lessons from Eve,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 87: “Adam and Eve were joined together in marriage for time and for all eternity by the power of [the] everlasting priesthood.”
├─ See also Russell M. Nelson, “Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish,” Liahona, Aug. 2019, 50–55
└─ Modern application: Cherish bodies as God's greatest creation (video “God’s Greatest Creation”).

Theological Discussion Points: Socratic Progression

1. What organizational patterns in Genesis 1:1–25 parallel personal transformation from chaos?
2. How does “image and likeness” (Moses 2:26) distinguish humanity from other creations?
3. In what ways does the plural “us” (Abraham 4:26) reveal divine council dynamics?
4. Analyze stewardship in Genesis 1:28 through Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18.
5. How does Eve’s creation (Genesis 2:18) typologically prefigure priesthood-enabled eternal marriage?
6. What insights emerge from comparing Sabbath sanctification across accounts (Genesis 2:2–3)?
7. Contrast worldly views of the body with Moses 2:26–27.
8. How does Mosiah 3:19 illuminate the path from natural to divine image?
9. Trace dominion from Eden to modern environmental stewardship.
10. Apply “blessed and sanctified” (Abraham 5:2–3) to covenant-keeping today.
11. Synthesize Creation’s purpose with exaltation potential.
12. How do these narratives invite deeper covenant transformation?

Modern Prophetic Synthesis: Then and Now

Bundle sources integrate ancient Creation with prophetic continuity. President Nelson’s witness in “God’s Greatest Creation” (video) affirms the body’s miraculous nature, countering devaluation: “How does Heavenly Father want me to feel about my body?” This echoes Genesis 1:26–27, applying divine image to self-reverence. Marriage synthesis via Nelson: ancient union (Genesis 2:24) fulfills eternally through priesthood (1987 quote), paralleling “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Stewardship evolves from Genesis 1:28 to contemporary calls (see Gérald Caussé, “Our Earthly Stewardship,” Liahona, Nov. 2022). Sabbath from Creation rest bridges to Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–13 as “delight.”

Seminary & Institute Integration

Seminary insights amplify patterns: Creation periods reveal telescoped time (Abraham 4), prefiguring dispensational progression. Institute-level typology links Adam-Eve to Christ-Church, with Moses 3 emphasizing priesthood in matrimony. Deeper stewardship patterns connect to Zion’s cooperative economy (Doctrine and Covenants 104).

Teaching Applications

Employ reverent discovery: Outdoor “Creation hunts” matching Genesis periods foster awe (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 32). Mirror exercises with Moses 2:26–27 build body reverence; role-plays using Genesis 2:2–3 teach Sabbath distinctiveness. For adults, chart parallel accounts revealing restoration clarity, sparking dispensational discussions.

Personal Study Pathways

Level 1 (Foundational): Read accounts sequentially, noting parallels.
Level 2 (Analytical): Map “image” references, applying to self-view.
Level 3 (Synthetic): Trace stewardship through cited D&C sections.
Level 4 (Transformative): Journal Sabbath delights, linking to Creation rest. Progress markers: Reverence for creations yields covenant commitments.

Research Extensions

Consult Bible Dictionary “Genesis”; Gospel Library videos (“The Sabbath Is a Delight”; “God’s Greatest Creation”). Method: Parallel-column comparison of Genesis/Moses/Abraham using Gospel Library tools. Explore “Environmental Stewardship” topics for stewardship arcs. Verify via For the Strength of Youth (pages 22–29) on sacred bodies.

These ancient covenantal patterns invite deeper exploration of how divine revelation spans dispensations.