Sodom, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Genesis 18–23: Lesson 26

Genesis 19

“Look Not behind Thee”

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The Lord has always been concerned about evil influences in our lives. Members of Lot’s family were influenced by the evils that surrounded them in the city of Sodom. This lesson can help you avoid evil influences in your life so you can more fully follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Study the Scriptures

In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger took off with seven astronauts on board. Only 73 seconds after launch, the shuttle exploded. All seven astronauts died. An investigation found that the cause of the crash was a small rubber seal called an O-ring. Engineers had warned that the seal could fail in cold weather. However, the outcome seemed unlikely, so decision-makers ignored it.

The Challenger space shuttle story is an example of how small things can have big consequences.

The Old Testament tells the story of how small decisions affected Abraham and his nephew Lot. When their servants began to argue, the men decided to divide their land and part ways.

Read Genesis 13:8–13 and mark which land Lot chose and the small decision he made about his tent.

Eventually, Lot and his family moved to and “dwelt in Sodom” (Genesis 14:12; emphasis added).

Make a note next to Genesis 14:12, answering the following question:

• How do you think Lot’s decision about his tent is related to his family eventually moving to Sodom?

While living inside the wicked city of Sodom, messengers visited Lot’s family. These holy men warned them to flee because the Lord was going to destroy the city.

Read Genesis 19:14–19, 24–26. Mark the specific instructions Lot and his family received and the tragic ending for Lot’s wife.

Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles taught:

Most of the problems that Lot later encountered in his life, and there were several, can be traced back to his early decision to position the door of his tent to look upon Sodom.

Abraham, the father of the faithful, experienced life differently. Certainly there were many challenges, but it was to be a blessed life. We do not know which way Abraham’s tent door faced, but there’s a strong hint in the last verse of the 13th chapter of Genesis. It reports, “Then Abram [or Abraham] removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord” (Genesis 13:18).

While I do not know, I personally believe the door of Abraham’s tent faced the altar he built unto the Lord. (“The Power of Deliverance, Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 96–97)

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

What impact do small choices have on my relationship with God?

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) taught:

It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny. (“Choices,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 86)

While Lot’s small choice led to disaster, Abraham’s small choice led to greater happiness.

In your notebook, make a list of the following:

• Small things you can do or keep doing to draw closer to Christ.

• Small things you can stop doing that will help you draw closer to Christ.

Option B

What can I do to flee wickedness?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about Lot’s wife. You may want to create a note including some or all President Holland’s words next to Genesis 19:26.

Apparently what was wrong with Lot’s wife was that she wasn’t just looking back; in her heart she wanted to go back. …

It is possible that Lot’s wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. (“Remember Lot’s Wife” [Brigham Young University devotional, Jan. 13, 2009], 2, speeches.byu.edu)

Maybe you can relate to Lot’s wife. Have you ever been tempted to return to past poor choices?

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

Sometimes in our repentance, in our daily efforts to become more Christlike, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. … Don’t be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting. …

The forsaking of sins implies never returning. Forsaking requires time. (“Repent … That I May Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 41–42)

If available, it may be helpful to watch the video “New Year’s: Look Not behind Thee” (3:09).

In your notebook, make a plan to stay strong in your efforts to follow the Lord. Include specific things that will help keep you from turning back like Lot’s wife. You might consider things like:

• Deleting inappropriate music.

• Improving your prayers.

• Ensuring you spend time with positive influences.

• Reading your scriptures.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you avoid evil influences in your life so you can more fully follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

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

• The list of things you can do, keep doing, or stop doing to turn to Christ.

• Your plan to not look back.

• 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?