Come, Follow Me 2026: Week 4 – Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5

The Fall: From Paradise Lost to Redemption's Joy

Doctrinal Foundation

The Fall of Adam and Eve appears at first as tragedy—cast from the beautiful Garden of Eden into a world of pain, sorrow, and death (Genesis 3:16–19), separated from Heavenly Father. Yet the book of Moses reveals deeper layers. From Adam and Eve's view, leaving Eden brought opposition and choices; from God's view, it marked the essential step for growth, repentance, and returning exalted through the Savior's Atonement, enabling “the joy of our redemption” (Moses 5:11). From Moses' prophetic lens, the Fall introduced agency amid Satan's deceptions (Moses 4:1–4), yet promised redemption (Moses 5:4–15). These perspectives transform the narrative: not regret, but gratitude for mortality's opportunities to choose progression (Moses 5:9–12; 2 Nephi 2:19–25).

Why did Adam and Eve rejoice post-Fall? What opposition unlocks agency? How does clothing symbolize divine covering? These mysteries unfold through scripture's escalating revelations.

Scripture Deep Dive

Ascend through six key passages, each building connections across dispensations and revealing transformative context.

Step 1: The Serpent's Subtlety (Genesis 3:1–7; Moses 4:22–31)
Satan tempts with half-truths, leading to immediate effects: eyes opened, nakedness known, fear of God (Genesis 3:7; Moses 4:31). Cultural context transforms this—ancient Near Eastern motifs of serpents as deceivers align with Moses' plain truth: Satan seeks “to deceive and to blind” (Moses 4:4–12; 5:13–33).

Step 2: Curses and Consequences (Genesis 3:16; Moses 4:22)
Eve's sorrows in conception, Adam's toil (Genesis 3:16–19; Moses 4:22–25). Yet this pattern echoes in Alma 12:21–37, where the Fall enables proving through opposition.

Step 3: Divine Protection of Agency (Moses 4:1–4)
Heavenly Father and Jesus thwart Satan's plan to destroy agency: “Satan … sought … to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3). This staircase rises—agency demands opposition (2 Nephi 2:11–20, 25–30).

Step 4: Covering Nakedness (Moses 4:13–16, 27)
Adam and Eve sew fig leaves; the Lord “made coats of skins, and clothed them” (Moses 4:27). Symbolism ascends: clothing represents purity (Revelation 7:9, 13–15; 2 Nephi 9:14; Doctrine and Covenants 109:22–26, 76), hinting at temple garment significance for the endowed.

Step 5: Gladness in Gospel Light (Moses 5:4–15)
An angel reveals sacrifice and baptism; Adam and Eve are “glad” (Moses 5:10), prophesying the Redeemer (Moses 5:14–15). Resolution: Fall's “tragedy” yields joy (Moses 5:11).

Step 6: Sacrifice's Heart (Moses 5:4–9, 16–26)
Abel's willing offering accepted; Cain's rejected for lack of obedience (Moses 5:20–21). Pattern peaks in modern issues of Liahona and For the Strength of Youth, linking ancient rite to Christ's Only Begotten (Moses 5:5–9).

Archaeological echoes, like ancient sacrificial altars, affirm these as historical worship practices, collapsing time into covenant continuity.

Historical Context

In the ancient world, Eden evoked paradisiacal gardens of Mesopotamian lore, yet Moses restores divine intent: beauty insufficient without growth (introduction). Adam and Eve's expulsion mirrored ancient exile motifs but pivots to redemptive plan—facing telestial toil (Genesis 3:17–19) to gain celestial glory. Pioneers echoed this, leaving Nauvoo for unknown trials, finding “joy of our redemption” amid opposition (Moses 5:11; Saints vol. 2, ch. 12 pattern). Time collapses: ancient Fall aligns with modern choices under Satan's deceptions (Moses 5:13–33).

Pattern Recognition Web

This week's truths web across dispensations. Fall's opposition necessitates agency (Moses 4:3; 2 Nephi 2:19–25; Doctrine and Covenants 29:39–43). Natural man post-Fall yields to Spirit via Atonement (Mosiah 3:19; Alma 12:21–37). Satan tempts generations—from Eve (Moses 4:4–12) to Cain (Moses 5:13–33), mirroring Lehi's warnings (2 Nephi 2:27). Sacrifices prefigure Christ (Moses 5:5–9; Romans 5:12; Alma 11:42). Generational link: Adam prays post-Eden (Moses 5:4, 8), as families today.

Contradiction resolved: Curse seems punitive (Genesis 3:16–19), yet enables progression (Moses 5:9–12).

Discussion Framework

1. What most people miss: Why focus on Fall's possibilities, not paradise lost? (Introduction)
2. From Genesis 3:1–7, list Fall's results—how do they mirror daily struggles?
3. Moses 5:9–12: How did Adam and Eve feel post-Fall? Apply to personal trials.
4. Unpack Moses 4:22: Does “rule over” justify unkindness? (See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”)
5. Why protect agency? (Moses 4:1–4; 2 Nephi 2:11–20)
6. Satan's tactics then and now? (Moses 4:4–12; 5:13–33)
7. Clothing's symbolism? (Moses 4:13–16, 27)
8. Abel vs. Cain: Heart of sacrifice? (Moses 5:16–26)
9. How does opposition build choice? (Elder Dale G. Renlund: “Our Heavenly Father’s goal ... is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him” (“Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104))
10. Redeemer's role: Complete “Because of the Fall, I … Because of Jesus Christ, I …” (Moses 4:25; 5:8–11).

Gospel Connections

Fall integrates Plan of Salvation: agency (Moses 4:1–4) requires opposition (2 Nephi 2:19–25), enabling probation (Alma 12:21–37; Doctrine and Covenants 29:39–43). Atonement redeems death and sin (Moses 5:8–11, 14–15; 6:48, 59; 2 Nephi 2:22–23), paralleling mortality's “toil” to exaltation's joy (Genesis 3:16–19).

Teaching Moments

1. Picture Sequencing: Cut Old Testament Stories images (13–16); order while discussing Fall's necessity (teaching children section). Aha: Angel's visit sparks gladness (Moses 5:10).
2. Color Choice Lesson: Give one crayon, then choices—link to agency (Moses 4:1–4; “Choose the Right Way,” Children’s Songbook, 160–61).
3. Sentence Completions: “Because of the Fall, I … Because of Jesus Christ, I …” (Moses 5:8–11; Romans 5:12). Share gratitudes.
4. Group Teach: One studies Moses 4 and For the Strength of Youth; another 2 Nephi 2—exchange insights on choices.

Hidden connection: “Because of Him” video reveals Atonement's veil-piercing hope.

Personal Reflection

• Trace opposition in your life mirroring Adam's prayer (Moses 5:4, 8)—what choices grew faith?
• Recall a “fig leaf” self-covering; how has divine clothing (Moses 4:27) brought peace?
• Like Cain, examine sacrifice's willingness (Moses 5:16–26)—what obedience shift invites acceptance?
• Post-Fall, what “gladness” (Moses 5:10) signals redemption's joy?

Prophetic Echoes

Modern prophets mirror ancient truths strikingly. Elder Dale G. Renlund echoes Moses 4:1–4: “Our Heavenly Father’s goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him” (“Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104). Elder Dale G. Renlund and Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund clarify Genesis 3:16: a righteous husband “will seek to minister; he will acknowledge error and seek forgiveness; he will be quick to offer praise; he will be considerate of family members’ preferences; he will feel the great weight of responsibility to provide ‘the necessities of life and protection’ for his family; he will treat his wife with the utmost respect and deference. … He will bless his family” (The Melchizedek Priesthood: Understanding the Doctrine, Living the Principles [2018], 23). See also “Equal Partnership in Marriage” video; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

These restored insights invite us to embrace the Fall's opposition as the path to chosen righteousness and eternal joy.

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