Week 7: February 9–15: “Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6–11; Moses 8)

Week Overview

Feel the weight of these words from the Savior: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man” (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:41). Words like “corrupt” and “filled with violence” echo through Genesis 6:12–13 and Moses 8:28, mirroring our day. Yet amid repeating wickedness, Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Moses 8:27). Notice how these stories reveal paths to safety—not through arks alone, but through prophets and covenants.

Key Scripture Moments

Here's the remarkable moment when corruption peaks: Genesis 6:5–13 describes a world where “the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (Genesis 6:5), yet the Lord spares Noah. Notice what happens next in Moses 8:13–30, where God calls Noah as prophet amid violence.

Watch the tender shift in Genesis 9:8–17, where the rainbow becomes “the token of the covenant” (Genesis 9:12), a sign of promises kept. Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 9:21–25 adds depth to this reminder.

Finally, observe the dramatic reversal in Genesis 11:1–9: united in pride, the people say, “let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven” (Genesis 11:4), only to face confusion and scattering.

Hidden Connections

These chapters link to last week's Zion: Enoch's people “obtained a unity with Jesus Christ” (Moses 7:18–19, 53, 62–63, 69), reaching heaven through righteousness, while Babel's builders sought it through pride (Genesis 11:1–9; Helaman 6:26–28). Ether 1:33–43 shows Jared's family spared confusion by turning to the Lord. Genesis 9:15–16 connects to modern reminders like the sacrament (Doctrine and Covenants 20:75–79), echoing baptismal covenants.

Pattern Discovery

Notice this pattern across prophets: God warns through His servant—Noah declares repentance (Moses 8:15–24, 28), just as today's prophet issues invitations. Corruption halts agency (as in Elder Neal A. Maxwell's words: “corruption had reached an agency-destroying point that spirits could not, in justice, be sent here” [We Will Prove Them Herewith (1982), 58]). Safety follows obedience: Noah builds the ark; families at Babel pray (Ether 1:33–43). Rainbows and covenants repeat as tokens of mercy (Genesis 9:8–17).

Simple Questions

1. What similarities appear between Noah's day (Moses 8:15–24, 28) and ours?
2. From Moses 8:13–30, what truths about prophets stand out? How does today's prophet resemble Noah?
3. In Genesis 6:5–13, where does mercy shine amid judgment?
4. What does a rainbow evoke from Genesis 9:8–17 and Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 9:21–25?
5. Contrast Babel's tower (Genesis 11:1–9; Helaman 6:28) with Zion's path (Moses 7:18–19).
6. How do Helaman 3:28 and 2 Nephi 31:20–21 reveal the true way to heaven?

One Big Idea

Spiritual safety comes from following the Lord's prophet. In Noah's corrupt world (Moses 8:13–30), he found grace by obedience. Today's prophet warns of latter-day floods of violence, inviting covenant-keeping amid pride like Babel's. Elder Allen D. Haynie taught, “A perfect and loving Father in Heaven has chosen the pattern of revealing truth to His children through a prophet” (“A Living Prophet for the Latter Days,” Liahona, May 2023, 25).

Living It

Build family safety like Noah's ark: review a prophet's recent invitation, such as from “Invitations and Promised Blessings” in Teachings of Presidents of the Church.
Spot Babel-like pride today—arrange slips of paper into a "tower" of distractions and a "temple" of Christ-centered choices.
Use rainbows or sacrament emblems to recall covenants, drawing them with children while discussing God's promises (Genesis 9:15–16).

Faith Builder

Recent teachings echo Noah: follow the prophet for protection, as Elder Haynie explains God's love in this pattern. See Topics “Prophets” and video “Why Do We Have Prophets?” in Gospel Library.

These ancient warnings and tokens invite families to heed prophets, finding grace amid latter-day storms through covenants with the Savior.