Adam and Eve, by Douglas M. Fryer

January 10–16

Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5

The Fall of Adam and Eve

As you prepare to teach about Genesis 3–4 and Moses 4–5, think about what questions or activities might help class members better understand the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Class members could briefly review Genesis 3–4 or Moses 4–5, select a verse that stands out to them, and share it with someone sitting nearby. Then a few people could share an insight with the class.

Teach the Doctrine

Moses 4:1–13; 5:1–12

We need agency and opposition in order to grow.

• Because agency—the God-given right to make choices—is such a fundamental part of mortal life, we sometimes take it for granted. To deepen class members’ appreciation for this gift, they could read and discuss Moses 4:1–4. What do these verses teach about the importance of agency? Why would God’s plan be destroyed if we did not have agency? The quotation in “Additional Resources” could provide some insights.

• Perhaps class members studied President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Opposition in All Things” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 114–17) as part of their individual or family study this week. During the week, you might consider inviting a few people to come prepared to share something from his message that helped them understand the Fall of Adam and Eve (see especially sections I and II). Why does Heavenly Father allow us to experience “opposition in all things”? (see 2 Nephi 2:11–16). You might invite class members to read Doctrine and Covenants 29:39–40 and discuss why Satan’s temptations are necessary in God’s plan. How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help us when we face temptation?

  

  Leaving Eden, by Annie Henrie Nader

Moses 4:4–12; 5:13–33

Satan seeks “to deceive and to blind” us.

• Moses 4:4–12; 5:13–33 can help your class members identify some ways in which Satan tempts us to do evil. You might ask half of the class to read Moses 4:4–12 and the other half to read Moses 5:13, 18–33. As they read, they could list ways Satan tried to tempt Adam and Eve and their children. How does he attempt these same things today? How can Heavenly Father help us resist Satan’s deceptions?

Genesis 3:1–7; Moses 4:22–31; 5:4–15

Jesus Christ’s Atonement offers hope and redemption from the Fall.

• The more we understand the effects of the Fall, the more we appreciate the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Class members could search for the effects of the Fall in Genesis 3:1–7; Moses 4:22–31 and list what they find on the board. Then they could search Moses 5:4–12, 14–15 to learn about God’s plan to redeem us from those effects (see also 2 Nephi 2:19–25; Alma 12:22–34) and list what they find on the board. They could also share what impresses them about Adam’s and Eve’s testimonies of Jesus Christ found in verses 10–12. How do we feel about God’s plan after reading these scriptures?

• Adam and Eve’s story of hope and redemption can encourage class members when life is difficult. Consider inviting them to find words and phrases in Moses 5:7–12 that express the hope that Adam and Eve felt when they learned that the Savior could redeem them. When have we felt hope similar to what Adam and Eve felt? Consider inviting class members to share their favorite hymns expressing the hope that comes through the Savior’s Atonement. You could sing a few of these together.

Additional Resources

We can choose for ourselves.

Elder Dale G. Renlund taught:

“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. If He simply wanted us to be obedient, He would use immediate rewards and punishments to influence our behaviors.

“But God is not interested in His children just becoming trained and obedient ‘pets’ who will not chew on His slippers in the celestial living room. No, God wants His children to grow up spiritually and join Him in the family business” (“Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104).

Improving Our Teaching

Increase the participation of class members. Many activities can be done as a class, in small groups, or in pairs. Use a variety of methods to allow people to participate who might not otherwise have a chance. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 33–34.)