Genesis 5; Moses 6: “Teach These Things Freely Unto Your Children” (January 17-23)

Six generations after Adam, there was a remarkable seer named Enoch. He lived in a time when many people had turned their hearts away from God (Moses 6:27-30). He felt unqualified to teach (Moses 6:31). But the Bible tells us that he “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24). He saw amazing things, and he taught the gospel with boldness and with great power (Moses 6:32-47).

His father, Jared, “taught him in all the ways of God” (Moses 6:21). He may have learned from earlier generations as well, including from Adam, himself. As the following graphical representation of Genesis 5 shows, Adam was still alive for most of Enoch’s life.

Enoch taught the core doctrines of the gospel, including the Fall of Adam and Eve, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the importance of repentance and baptism. He also described Adam’s baptism, indicating that this ordinance has been part of the gospel from the beginning. (See Moses 6:48-62.)

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned from Enoch, with relevant blog posts:

• Just as we honor our parents and grandparents, we should recognize and appreciate our earliest ancestors: The Ancient of Days (Genesis 5:3-5).
• God is both just and merciful. These two attributes are not in conflict with one another: (What Does It Mean That the Savior Is “Full of Grace and Truth?” (Moses 6:52).
• God’s power over death includes not only the resurrection but also translation—the power to convert people into an immortal state without dying: Was Alma Translated? (Genesis 5:24).
• The Fall of Adam and the Atonement of Jesus Christ have made us agents; we are now in a position to learn how to make good choices: Agency (Moses 6:54-56).