Genesis 6–11; Moses 8: Lesson 19

Moses 8

Following the Savior in a Wicked World

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Living the gospel requires a lot of work. And it can be frustrating to see others seeming to enjoy life while not living the gospel. “The truth is that it is much more exhausting to seek happiness where you can never find it!” (Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 97). This lesson can help you better follow the Savior in order to overcome the wickedness in the world.

Study the Scriptures

Read the following statements. Think about how true they are for you.

• It’s hard for me to resist the enticements of the world and follow Jesus Christ.

• I know where I can turn for help to remain faithful in a wicked world.

• I spend time daily seeking to learn more about and to follow Jesus Christ.

When the Lord took Enoch and his city into heaven (see Moses 7:69), Enoch’s righteous son, Methuselah, remained on the earth (see Moses 8:2). Methuselah’s grandson Noah and Noah’s three sons “walked with God” (Moses 8:27), while most people who remained on the earth chose wickedness.

Read Moses 8:12–22, 28–29, looking for the spiritual condition of the people in Noah’s day. Then identify similarities between the spiritual conditions in Noah’s day and conditions we see in our day.

In your notebook, create two lists with the following titles to help you organize what you find from the verses.

• Spiritual Condition of Many in Noah’s Day

• Similarities between Noah’s Day and Our Day

Review Moses 8:16–17 to see what the Lord told Noah would happen if the people didn’t repent.

How much time did the Lord give the people to repent? What can that teach you about the nature of God?

The Holy Ghost will show us what we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). As you continue to study, seek inspiration to know what you can do to remain righteous in a wicked world.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the Now What? section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

What do the scriptures teach about overcoming the wickedness in the world?

President Russell M. Nelson explained:

Each time you seek for and follow the promptings of the Spirit, each time you do anything good … you are overcoming the world. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 97)

Study at least two of the following scriptures. Look for truths that help you understand how to overcome the wickedness in the world.

• Proverbs 3:5–6

• John 16:33

• 1 Nephi 15:23–24

• Helaman 5:12

• Doctrine and Covenants 10:5; 87:8

You may want to link the verses you chose.

If available, watch the video “Sharing Your Light” (2:56). In this video, a young woman follows the Savior despite the choices of others around her.

Ponder what helps you overcome the wickedness around you. These actions might be small. They could be goals you’ve worked on in the Children and Youth program.

Option B

What do Church leaders teach about how to overcome wickedness in the world?

Our Church leaders have shared many suggestions to help us overcome the wickedness in the world. Read the following for ideas on how you can overcome wickedness.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Overcoming the world is keeping our promises to God—our baptismal and temple covenants. … Overcoming the world means turning ourselves outward, remembering the second commandment [see Mark 12:31]: “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” [Matthew 23:11]. … Overcoming the world is being less concerned with our online connections and more concerned with our heavenly connection to God. … Overcoming the world is remembering, even when we are discouraged, the times we have felt the love and light of the Savior. (“Overcoming the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 59–60)

President Jean B. Bingham, then Relief Society General President, explained:

As we persevere and attend the temple, … we’ll have the Savior’s help to overcome the world in which we live. (“The Temple Gives Us Higher Vision,” Liahona, Jan. 2018, 14)

If available, watch the video “Dare to Stand Alone” (4:20) to see how President Thomas S. Monson faced opposition.

Find another quote from general conference about overcoming the wickedness in the world. To do this, you could search for the term “overcome” or something similar. Filter your search to general conference talks. Share the quote you found with a friend or family member. Explain why you like it and what it teaches you about overcoming the wickedness in the world.

Now What?

To help you think of ways you can follow Jesus Christ, respond to the following questions. Write your answers somewhere you will see them often. You might want to share your plan with trusted friends, family members, or Church leaders.

• What have you felt inspired to do today that might help you overcome wickedness?

• How will following these impressions increase your ability to follow the Savior and overcome the world?

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you better follow the Savior to overcome wickedness in the world.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• What you learned from Church leaders about overcoming the wickedness in the world.

• What you have learned from your study of Moses 8 about overcoming the wickedness in the world.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?