Moses 5:16–59

Cain and His Descendants and the Preaching of the Gospel

Moses 5:16–54: Cain Loved Satan More than God

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

Cain was taught the gospel but he rebelled against it (see Moses 5:12, 16, 18, 25–31; see also Helaman 6:26–27).
Cain made an offering to God only after Satan commanded him. His offering was not what God had commanded (see Moses 5:5) and God did not accept it (see Moses 5:18–21; see also Hebrews 11:4; D&C 124:75).
God warns sinners, giving them many opportunities to repent (see Moses 5:22–25, 34–35; see also Mosiah 26:30; D&C 138:30–35).
We cannot hide our sins from God (see Moses 5:35; see also Proverbs 15:3; 2 Nephi 9:20; 27:27; Alma 39:8; D&C 1:3).
Cain and some of his descendants chose to reject the gospel and therefore did not enjoy its blessings (see Moses 5:26–54; 7:22; see also Alma 3:19; 32:19; D&C 82:3).

Suggestions for Teaching

Moses 5:16–28. Cain and His Offering

Invite students to find phrases in Moses 5:16–28 that describe Cain and his offering. How did Cain feel about the Lord? Why did Cain make an offering? What did he offer? Discuss why God did not accept his offering (see also the commentary under “Moses 5:18–21. Cain Made an Offering” in the student manual). Why was Satan pleased? Why was Cain angry?

Moses 5:21–28. Cain Was Warned

Invite a student to read Moses 5:22–26 aloud looking for the role of agency in Cain’s decision to rebel. Ask students why Cain was wroth at his punishment. What caused this punishment to come upon Cain? Review with students the commentary under “Moses 5:23–26. Cain Exercised His Agency and Chose to Rebel against God” in the student manual. Testify that Cain, like all of us, was accountable for the exercise of his agency.

Moses 5:29–35. Cain Killed Abel

Ask a student to read Moses 5:29–33 aloud. Discuss the events that took place before Cain slew Abel. Invite a student to read verse 33 aloud. Then ask students what they think Cain meant when he said he was “free” (see also the commentary under “Moses 5:33. ‘I Am Free’” in the student manual). Invite a student to read verses 34–35 aloud. Ask why we cannot hide our sins from the Lord (see also Proverbs 15:3; 2 Nephi 9:20; 27:27; Alma 39:8; D&C 1:3). Discuss the blessings that come to those who realize they cannot hide their sins from God.

Moses 5:36–41. The Lord Cursed Cain

List the curses that the Lord placed upon Cain, as described in Moses 5:36–37, 41. Discuss what Cain said in verses 38–39 when God cursed him. Compare Cain’s response to the responses of Adam and Eve after they partook of the fruit (see Moses 4:18–29; 5:10–11). Why do the wicked and the righteous respond differently when confronted with their own sins (see also 1 Nephi 16:1–3)?

Moses 5:42–54. Cain’s Descendants Were Wicked

Invite a few students to take turns reading Moses 5:42–54 aloud. List the wicked deeds of Cain’s descendants. How were Lamech and Irad related? What happened to Lamech, and why? Remind students that wicked parents share the responsibility for the sins of their children (see Ezekiel 18:20; 2 Nephi 4:3–7; D&C 68:25). Ask a few students to take turns reading 1 Nephi 17:33–41 aloud. Discuss why the Lord curses, or punishes, the wicked and blesses and makes covenants with the righteous.

Moses 5:55–59: The Gospel Was Preached from the Beginning

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

The works of darkness began on earth with Cain and his descendants who loved Satan more than God (see Moses 5:55–57; see also Moses 5:13, 15, 28, 51; see also Helaman 6:26–30; Ether 8:15–16).
The preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ began on earth with Adam and Eve and their descendants who loved God (see Moses 5:58; see also Moses 5:4–12, 14–15; 1 Nephi 12:18; 2 Nephi 11:4).
The gospel was preached by angels, by God’s own voice, by the gift of the Holy Ghost, and by Adam himself (see Moses 5:58; 6:1; see also Alma 12:26–33).
The ordinances of the gospel began on earth with Adam and Eve. These ordinances are holy and designed to confirm mankind’s covenant relationship with God (see Moses 5:59; see also Mosiah 13:30; Alma 13:16; D&C 84:19–21; 124:39–40).

Suggestions for Teaching

Moses 5:55–58. And Thus It Began

Explain to students that in Moses 5:55, 58 there are summary statements about how the “works of darkness” and the gospel began to spread among the people of the earth. Invite students to find verses in Moses 5 that give details about these beginnings.

Ask students why they think the stories of Adam and Eve, of Cain and Abel, and of Lamech and Irad are included in the book of Moses. Use Moses 5:51, 55–59 and 2 Nephi 26:20–33 to compare the works of darkness with the works of God.

Moses 5:58. The Preaching of the Gospel

Ask a student to read Moses 5:58 aloud, and then ask students to define “the gospel.” Invite several students to take turns reading 3 Nephi 27:9–22 and Doctrine and Covenants 76:40–42 aloud. Then list the elements that comprise the gospel of Jesus Christ. In what ways is the gospel preached in Moses 5:58; 6:1? Invite students to find and share scriptures that contain examples of the gospel being preached by holy angels, by the voice of God, by the Holy Ghost, by prophets, and in other ways.

Moses 5:59. Gospel Ordinances

Ask students to list the gospel ordinances they have received. What is symbolically taught or “confirmed” by the gospel ordinances (see Romans 6:3–9; Jacob 4:5; Alma 13:16; D&C 20:68–79; 76:50–60)? Display the following statement by President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and ask a student to read it aloud:

“Good conduct without the ordinances of the gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind; covenants and the ordinances are essential” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Only True Church,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 82).