Gospel Doctrine Old Testament C5
“If thou Doest Well, Thou Shalt Be Accepted”
We are discussing two different men from the early beginnings of time, Cain and Enoch.
CAIN
READ Moses 5:24-25 – “For from this time forth thou shalt be the father of his lies; thou shalt be called Perdition; for thou wast also before the world. And it shall be said in time to come—That these abominations were had from Cain; for he rejected the greater counsel which was had from God; and this is a cursing which I will put upon thee, except thou repent.”
???When did the Lord say this to Cain? Was it before or after he killed Abel?
???What could have happened BEFORE the murder to have the Lord say that?
Review Cain’s sacrifice: (v16 ‘Who is the Lord that I should know him?’)
**Background - READ 5:5-8 God gave them commandments.
1-worship the Lord.
2-offer firstlings of flocks.
Adam & Eve are teaching their children about God and Jesus. Then Satan comes and says 5:13 “I am also a son of God.” Half truth-not THE son of God, just A son of God.
5:17 ‘Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground’
READ 5:18-21
5:22- note the way God handles the situation. Not “Look at what you did. I can’t believe you did that. Stop doing that. I told you not to.” He says, “Why are you upset? You look like you’re having a bad day. What’s going on?” This allows for accountability, just like with Adam and Eve.
Then follows the verses we read earlier.
???What did Cain do that caused such a firm warning and chastisement from the Lord?
18-loved Satan more than God,
18-followed Satan’s commandment to offer sacrifice (v8says to do it in remembrance of the Son)
19-used fruit, not firstling of flock
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith. … Shedding the blood of the Only Begotten to atone for man … was the plan of redemption; … and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man was to discern the great Sacrifice which God had prepared; to offer a sacrifice contrary to that, no faith could be exercised … ; consequently Cain could have no faith; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 58).
What else do you learn from Cain’s story? I learn that Satan is good at helping us justify our actions that are inconsistent with the Gospel, then we get offended when we are corrected. I don’t know why Cain was fixated on offering a fruit salad for his offering but I’m guessing there must have been some sort of rationalizing and justifying in the process.
“What is happening with Cain is rather like what would happen if a high councilman decided to worship each Sunday in the canyons rather than in church, and to roast hot dogs rather than take the sacrament. He might feel good about what he did but the Lord would not give such activity his approval nor the blessings promised to those who partake worthily of the sacrament. Moses 5:20-21” (Ted L. Gibbons, LDS Living, Jan 14, 2014)
The story continues…
5:26- “And Cain was wroth, and listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, his brother, who walked in holiness before the Lord.”
Cain marries and has children and loves Satan more than God. He makes a secret covenant with Satan to murder Abel. He murders Abel.
READ 5:33-36 Cain is cast out and cursed
5:55 “And thus the works of darkness began to prevail among all the sons of men.”
5:58 “And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
???What damage is done when we refuse to listen to the voices that call us to repentance? What happened to Cain? (5:31) What happened to Adam and Eve? (5:27).
GENEOLOGY
Adam – Seth 6:15 – Enos 6:17 – Cainan – Mahalaleel – Jared – ENOCH
ENOCH
READ 6:27 Enoch is called to prophesy to the people. Why is the Lord’s anger kindled?
-hearts have waxed hard
-ears are dull of hearing
-eyes cannot see afar off
???How do we NOT do that.
6:31-34 – Enoch feels inadequate. God promises to change him.
6:33 – God tells him to tell the people something, but it is always instruction for him personally – to choose to serve the Lord.
(6:39 & 47 – God’s promises to Enoch are fulfilled.)
ENOCH’S MISSION
Enoch leaves Cainan and teaches the people.
6:37 men were offended, :38 and curious,
??? How do we respond to prophets and leaders?
6:43 the purpose for Enoch’s mission- he is my God, and your God, ye are my brethren
6:48-51 basic history of how they got where they are
6:56 ye are agents unto yourselves
Talks about sin, baptism, repentance, Jesus Christ
6:59-60 – 60“For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;”
6:63 all things bear record of God
7:13- Enoch is a might man, “powerful was the word of Enoch”
CITY OF ZION
7:16-19, 21 The Lord’s people and the establishment of Zion 7:69 Zion is taken up to heaven
7: 28-45 God weeps over the condition of his people, Enoch asks why and God answers that he loves them. Enoch weeps over the condition of the people, God comforts him. read 7:29-30 and 7:32-33
COMPARE THE PATH OF CAIN AND ENOCH
Open comments
Video “Righteous Desires” Elder Maxwell :47
“Like it or not, therefore, reality requires that we acknowledge our responsibility for our desires. Brothers and sisters, which do we really desire, God’s plans for us or Satan’s? Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because said President Brigham Young, “The men and women who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day.” Therefore, true Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors.”
( Neal A. Maxwell, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts”, General Conference, Oct, 1996)
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