“Genesis 6–11; Moses 8,” Old Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2026)
Family Prayer, by Kendal Ray Johnson
Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
The Lord called Noah to preach repentance to a people described as “being only evil continually” (Moses 8:22). The people rejected Noah’s repeated calls to repent and were destroyed in the Flood. Noah followed the Lord’s commandment to build an ark, and the Lord preserved Noah and his family. Many of Noah’s descendants turned from the Lord and built a great tower in Babel. The Lord confounded their language and scattered them throughout the earth.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: Old Testament, “Genesis 6–11; Moses 8”
Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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Moses 8:13–30 describes Noah’s efforts to call the people to repentance. As you study these verses, consider how the Lord’s living prophets are like Noah. How do you respond to the teachings and warnings of God’s prophets?
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Have you ever considered the Flood to be an act of God’s mercy? Look for evidence of this as you study Genesis 6–7. What additional evidence of the Lord’s mercy do you find in Moses 7:38–39, 43; 1 Peter 3:18–20; and Doctrine and Covenants 138:28–34?
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As you study Genesis 11:1–9, notice how the attempt of Noah’s posterity to “reach unto heaven” (Genesis 11:4) did not involve Jesus Christ. What do the following verses teach you about the Savior’s role in helping you to return to God? John 3:16; 14:6; Mosiah 3:17.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Genesis 6–11 and Moses 8.
Skill Training
The learning activity for Genesis 6–7 could be a helpful place to use the skill “Reading with an Eternal Perspective” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class. You could also seek input from your students.
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Learn about your students’ circumstances, needs, and strengths. Students are more willing to learn from someone who they know cares about them. Additionally, when we strive to get to know students and strive to love them, we can be inspired about how to best help them find personal meaning and power in the Savior and His gospel (see Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 13).
How can I respond to the Lord’s prophets with greater faith?
Invite students to think of a time when they acted on counsel from a prophet and were blessed or protected. A few students could share their experiences. You could also ask:
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What can make it difficult to follow counsel from the Lord’s prophets?
Remind students that after Enoch and his people were taken into heaven, most of the people who remained on earth were very wicked. In His mercy, the Lord called Noah to preach and warn the people that they would be destroyed if they did not repent. Invite students as they study to look for truths that can help them respond with greater faith to the counsel and warnings of the Lord’s prophets.
Distribute the handout titled “Noah’s Preaching Before the Flood.” Give students time to complete the handout with a partner or small group. To add variety, consider having students work with a different partner or group for each set of verses they study.
Invite students to share insights they gained from their discussions. (As they share, students may identify a truth like this: Because He loves us, the Lord calls prophets to warn, teach, and urge us to repent.)
The following statement by Elder D. Todd Christofferson could be used as part of this discussion:
I have long been impressed by, and have also felt, the yearning love of the prophets of God in their warnings against sin. They are not motivated by a desire to condemn. Their true desire mirrors the love of God; in fact, it is the love of God. They love those to whom they are sent, whoever they may be and whatever they may be like. Just as the Lord, His servants do not want anyone to suffer the pains of sin and poor choices. (“The Love of God,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 17)
Give students a few minutes to find recent warnings and counsel from latter-day prophets and apostles. Consider having students write down a few of the warnings or words of counsel they find. Then invite students to share what they wrote with a few people sitting near them and explain why that counsel stood out to them. Students could also share how these warnings and counsel reflect the Savior’s love for us.
Invite students to think about actions the Holy Ghost may have prompted them to take as they studied today. You could also invite them to write down a response to the following question:
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What prophetic teaching, warning, or counsel do I need to act on more fully?
Why did God send the Flood?
Consider sharing the following scenario:
You and a friend are having a conversation about what you each believe about God. During the conversation, your friend says, “I’m not sure how I feel about God. If He’s as loving as you say He is, why did He destroy people in the Flood?”
Invite students to think about how they might respond to their friend’s concern. Then invite them to read 2 Nephi 26:24 and identify what this verse teaches about the character of God. Invite students to share what they found. (They might identify a truth such as this: All that God does is for the benefit of the world.)
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What evidence have you seen that all God does is for the benefit of the world?
Point out that the account of the Flood contains evidence that all God does is for the benefit of the world. Display the following instructions and give students time to study. (This may be a helpful time to introduce the skill “Reading with an Eternal Perspective” in Scripture Study Skills.)
Read the following passages about the Flood and the fate of the people who died. As you do, look for evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy.
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At least one of the following: Moses 7:38–39, 43; 1 Peter 3:18–20; Doctrine and Covenants 138:28–34; or “Genesis 6:7–13, 17; Moses 8:17, 23–30. What are some possible reasons God sent the Flood?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.
After sufficient time, invite students to share their insights with a partner or in small groups. You might also discuss the following questions together as a class:
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What did you notice about the importance of the ark? How can the ark remind you of Jesus Christ?
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How does the account of the Flood demonstrate the truth that all God does is for the benefit of the world? (As part of your discussion, you could share the following statement by Elder Patrick Kearon.)
God is in relentless pursuit of you. He “wants all of His children to choose to return to Him” [General Handbook, 1.1, Gospel Library], and He employs every possible measure to bring you back. …
Everything about the Father’s plan for His beloved children is designed to bring everyone home. …
The intent of the Father’s plan of redemption is in fact your redemption, your being rescued through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, freed from the captivity of sin and death. It is not to leave you as you are. (“God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home,” Liahona, May 2024, 87–88)
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When have you witnessed God’s efforts to help you or others experience His saving and redeeming power?
Consider referring again to the scenario at the beginning of this learning activity. Invite students to discuss in pairs how they might now respond to the friend’s question.
You might conclude by inviting students to take a few minutes to ponder and write down what God is currently doing in their life that is for their benefit. Encourage them to seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to help them recognize these things.
How can I more fully rely on Jesus Christ?
You could invite students to consider whether they have heard an expression like “All roads lead to heaven.” Then ask:
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How might believing this philosophy affect someone’s life?
Explain that after the Flood, some of Noah’s descendants established the kingdom of Babel (see Genesis 10:8–10). Encourage students to look for truths that can help them recognize their need to follow Jesus Christ as they study the account of these people.
Invite students to study Genesis 11:1–9, looking for why the people built the tower and how the Lord responded to their efforts. (For help understanding these verses, students could also study “Genesis 11:1–9. What was wrong about building the Tower of Babel?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)
Invite students to share what they learned. You could also ask a question like the following:
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What problems did you notice with the people’s attempts to reach heaven?
Invite students to read one or more of the following verses: John 3:16; John 14:6; or Mosiah 3:17. Ask students to look for teachings that would have been important for the people of Babel to understand.
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What did you learn from these verses that could have helped the people of Babel? (Students could identify a truth such as this: We can only be saved through Jesus Christ.)
Consider sharing the following statement by Elder D. Todd Christofferson:
I am reminded of the song made famous years ago by singer Frank Sinatra with the climactic line “I did it my way.” Certainly in life there is plenty of room for personal preference and individual choice, but when it comes to matters of salvation and eternal life, our theme song ought to be “I did it God’s way,” because truly there is no other way. …
There is no “my way” if we are to follow Christ’s example. Trying to find a different course to heaven is like the futility of working on the Tower of Babel rather than looking to Christ and His salvation. (“Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 28)
Students could discuss the following questions with a partner or small group:
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What are some examples of how people today might choose to do things “their way” rather than following the example and teachings of Jesus Christ? Why might people choose those other ways?
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What has helped you learn the value of following Jesus Christ?
After students finish their discussions, consider inviting a few to share their responses with the rest of the class.
Consider showing the video “Jesus Christ Is the Way” (5:20) or singing “Jesus Is the Way” (Hymns—For Home and Church). Invite students as they watch the video or sing the hymn to reflect on their own efforts to rely on and follow Jesus Christ. Encourage them to record any impressions they receive from the Holy Ghost, including adjustments they might make in their lives.
Share your testimony of Jesus Christ and of His essential role in helping us receive salvation and other blessings Heavenly Father desires to give us.