the flood and the tower lesson 6 the flood and the tower type and shadow the most important lesson...

Lesson 6

The Flood and the TowerThe Flood and the Tower

The most important lesson Latter-day Saints should draw from this year's study of the Old Testament in gospel doctrine classes is "the way it gives a Type and ShadowType and Shadow of the Savior coming to earth.”

Sunday School general presidency:Sunday School general presidency:Russell T. Osguthorpe, President Russell T. Osguthorpe, President David M. McConkie, CounselorDavid M. McConkie, CounselorMatthew O. Richardson, CounselorMatthew O. Richardson, CounselorReported by Reported by R. Scott LloydChurch News staff writer Published: Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010Published: Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010

Lesson 6

The Flood and the TowerThe Flood and the Tower

How are the parallel accounts of the flood and the tower of Babel possible types and shadows of the scattering and gathering of

God’s Covenant People?

Moses 7:52

And he (the Lord) sent forth an unalterable decree, that a remnant of his seed should always be found among all nations, while the earth should stand.

The Flood (Chiasmus)The Flood (Chiasmus) A. A. The rain was upon the earthThe rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights (Gen 7:12) forty days and forty nights (Gen 7:12)

B. Noah, his family, and every beast after his kind entered into B. Noah, his family, and every beast after his kind entered into the arkthe ark (Gen 7:13-14) (Gen 7:13-14)

C. They went…. into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is C. They went…. into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of lifethe breath of life (Gen 7:15-16) (Gen 7:15-16)

D. The ark was lifted D. The ark was lifted above the earthabove the earth (Gen 7:17-18) (Gen 7:17-18)

E. The waters prevailed exceedinly upon the earth; and all E. The waters prevailed exceedinly upon the earth; and all the high hillsthe high hills (Gen 7:19) (Gen 7:19)

E. Fifteen cubits did the waters prevail; and E. Fifteen cubits did the waters prevail; and the mountainsthe mountains were covered (Gen 7:20) were covered (Gen 7:20)

D. All flesh died that movedD. All flesh died that moved upon the earth upon the earth (Gen 7:21) (Gen 7:21)

C. All in whose nostrils was C. All in whose nostrils was the breath of lifethe breath of life, of all that was in the dry land died (Gen 7:22), of all that was in the dry land died (Gen 7:22)

B. Every living substance was destroyed except Noah and they that were with him in B. Every living substance was destroyed except Noah and they that were with him in the arkthe ark (Gen 7:23) (Gen 7:23)

A. And A. And the waters prevailed upon the earththe waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days (Gen 7:24) an hundred and fifty days (Gen 7:24)

TRANSLATIONTRANSLATION

A. Rain upon the earth (wickedness)A. Rain upon the earth (wickedness)

B. All that went with Noah were saved (Christ is the Ark)B. All that went with Noah were saved (Christ is the Ark)

C. Man (breath of life) is saved by Christ (temporally and spiritually). C. Man (breath of life) is saved by Christ (temporally and spiritually).

D. The righteous are lifted above the earth and are saved (temporally & spiritually)D. The righteous are lifted above the earth and are saved (temporally & spiritually)

E. THE NATURAL MAN IS AN ENEMY TO GOD. E. THE NATURAL MAN IS AN ENEMY TO GOD.

D. The wicked who move upon the earth die (temporally & spiritually) D. The wicked who move upon the earth die (temporally & spiritually)

C. Man (breath of life) died (temporally and spiritually) C. Man (breath of life) died (temporally and spiritually)

B. All that did not go with Noah were destroyedB. All that did not go with Noah were destroyed

A. Waters upon the earth (wickedness)A. Waters upon the earth (wickedness)

The Flood and the TowerThe Flood and the TowerParallel AccountsParallel Accounts

1. 1. WICKEDNESSWICKEDNESS2. PROPHETS2. PROPHETS3. SHIPS3. SHIPS4. ANIMALS4. ANIMALS5. WATER 5. WATER 6. PRAYER6. PRAYER7. SALVATION7. SALVATION


1. WICKEDNESS1. WICKEDNESS

Wickedness in the days ofWickedness in the days of Noah and Jared Noah and Jared

Genesis 6:5 & Moses 8:22: During the days of Noah “The wickedness of man was

great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart (were) evil

continually.

Genesis 11:6: During the days of Jared, “Nothing (was) restrained from (the

people, which they have imagined to do.)

A Type of the Last DaysA Type of the Last Days

Elder Bruce R. McConkieElder Bruce R. McConkie

"The coming of the flood of Noah, and with it the "The coming of the flood of Noah, and with it the 'end of the world' for the carnal civilization of that 'end of the world' for the carnal civilization of that day, is a day, is a perfect typeperfect type of the coming of the Lord, of the coming of the Lord, and the end of the world for the wicked of the and the end of the world for the wicked of the latter-days. In both days all the normal activities latter-days. In both days all the normal activities of life continue until Deity intervenes to stay the of life continue until Deity intervenes to stay the mounting mass of iniquity.”mounting mass of iniquity.”

(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:667)(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:667)



2. PROPHETS2. PROPHETS

The scriputral accounts of both Noah and Jared are centered in Christ. Noah was a just man and he walked with God. He and his sons were obedient to the will of the Lord (Gen 6:9 & Moses 8:13). The brother of Jared, who is like a spokesman for Jared, was a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord. He was told that never had man come before him with such exceeding faith. (Ether 1:34 & 3:9).

Possible spiritual translation - (types and shadows)Noah and the brother of Jared are a type and shadow of all people who preach Christ and Him crucified. “how beautiful are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever” Mosiah 15:17

Noah and JaredNoah and Jared




3. SHIPS3. SHIPS

The Ark and the BargesThe Ark and the Barges

Ether 6:7Ether 6:7

"And it came to pass that when they (The "And it came to pass that when they (The Jaredites) were buried in the deep there was no Jaredites) were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight they were tight like unto the ark of Noahlike unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they ; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters" again upon the top of the waters"

Types and ShadowsTypes and Shadows

The ark is a symbol. It was real enough, but for those of us The ark is a symbol. It was real enough, but for those of us who sense the rising and engulfing tides of wickedness who sense the rising and engulfing tides of wickedness and faithlessness in our own day, there is an additional and faithlessness in our own day, there is an additional lesson here. We must prepare for the safety of our lesson here. We must prepare for the safety of our families by building families by building our own arksour own arks. They will be refuges for . They will be refuges for us when waves of sin threaten to capsize us and our us when waves of sin threaten to capsize us and our families, but only if they are families, but only if they are tighttight, and have no leaks of , and have no leaks of covenant or commitment. If we have built arks of scripture covenant or commitment. If we have built arks of scripture study and made them study and made them tighttight; if we have built arks of prayer ; if we have built arks of prayer and made them tight; if we have built arks of obedience and made them tight; if we have built arks of obedience and covenant-keeping and made them and covenant-keeping and made them tighttight, then our , then our homes and our lives will be like the ark of Noah and the homes and our lives will be like the ark of Noah and the barges of the Jaredites.barges of the Jaredites.

By Ted L. GibbonsBy Ted L. Gibbons




3. SHIPS3. SHIPS

4. ANIMALS4. ANIMALS

Animals - Male and FemaleAnimals - Male and Female

Genesis 7:15 – And they went in unto Noah Genesis 7:15 – And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.wherein is the breath of life.

Ether 1:41 – Go to and gather together thy Ether 1:41 – Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every flocks, both male and female, of every kind. kind.


Questions:Questions:

Is there a type and shadow, or a double Is there a type and shadow, or a double meaning, to the scripture that states that, meaning, to the scripture that states that, “all who had “all who had the breath of life”the breath of life” entered into entered into the ark? (Gen 7:15)the ark? (Gen 7:15)

Is there a type and shadow to the scripture Is there a type and shadow to the scripture that commands the brother of Jared to, that commands the brother of Jared to, ““gather together thy flocksgather together thy flocks, both male and , both male and female, of every kind? (Ether 1:41)female, of every kind? (Ether 1:41)

Possible translation (types and shadows or dualism)Possible translation (types and shadows or dualism)

Are the above scriptures talking about animals or people, or both?Are the above scriptures talking about animals or people, or both?

Is it possible that other people besides Noah’s family entered into the ark? Is it possible that other people besides Noah’s family entered into the ark?




3. SHIPS3. SHIPS


5. WATER 5. WATER

Filthy Waters and Flood WatersFilthy Waters and Flood Waters

1 Nephi 12:16; 15:26-291 Nephi 12:16; 15:26-29 – The filthy water in Lehi’s – The filthy water in Lehi’s dream is a representation of that awful hell dream is a representation of that awful hell which was prepared for the wicked.which was prepared for the wicked.

Moses 7:42,50 Moses 7:42,50 – Enoch saw that Noah would be – Enoch saw that Noah would be saved with a temporal salvation. He prayed that saved with a temporal salvation. He prayed that the earth might never more be covered by the earth might never more be covered by floods. floods.

Possible spiritual translationPossible spiritual translation““Never more be covered by floods” = Evil to taken from the earthNever more be covered by floods” = Evil to taken from the earth


Breck England writes, “The waters of the Breck England writes, “The waters of the Great Flood were like the filthy waters Lehi Great Flood were like the filthy waters Lehi saw, the “depths of hell” reserved for the saw, the “depths of hell” reserved for the wicked. And the Tower of Babel was like wicked. And the Tower of Babel was like the “large and spacious building” Lehi saw, the “large and spacious building” Lehi saw, which stands for the monumental which stands for the monumental structures of this telestial world that structures of this telestial world that represent the vanity and conceit of those represent the vanity and conceit of those who mock God. who mock God.

The Ark was lifted up above the EarthThe Ark was lifted up above the Earth

Gensis 7:17-18Gensis 7:17-18 And the flood was forty days upon And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth: And the ark went upon the face upon the earth: And the ark went upon the face of the earth.of the earth.

Possible Spiritual TranslationPossible Spiritual Translation

Waters = wickedness that prevailed and increased greatly on the earth.Waters = wickedness that prevailed and increased greatly on the earth.

The ark = righteousness that went upon the face of the earthThe ark = righteousness that went upon the face of the earth

They did have Light ContinuallyThey did have Light Continually

Ether 6:10-11Ether 6:10-11 (The Jaredites) were driven forth; (The Jaredites) were driven forth; and no and no monster of the seamonster of the sea could break them, could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and neither whale that could mar them; and they did they did have light continuallyhave light continually, whether it be above the , whether it be above the water or under the water. And thus they were water or under the water. And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.days upon the water.

Possible Spiritual TranslationPossible Spiritual TranslationMonster of the sea = Satan and evilMonster of the sea = Satan and evil

They had light continually = The Holy Ghost was their constant companionThey had light continually = The Holy Ghost was their constant companion




3. SHIPS3. SHIPS


5. WATER 5. WATER

6. 6. PRAYEDPRAYED

They Praised GodThey Praised God

Genesis 8:20Genesis 8:20 – And Noah builded an altar unto the – And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord, and took of every clean beast, and of Lord, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.the altar.

Ether 6:12Ether 6:12 – The Jaredites bowed themselves – The Jaredites bowed themselves down upon the face of the land and shed tears down upon the face of the land and shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.of his tender mercies over them.

CommentaryCommentary

Noah and Jared expressed gratitude that God saved them temporally and spiritually.Noah and Jared expressed gratitude that God saved them temporally and spiritually.




3. SHIPS3. SHIPS


5. WATER 5. WATER

6. PRAYER6. PRAYER

7. 7. SALVATIONSALVATION

The Rainbow & the Promised LandThe Rainbow & the Promised Land

Genesis 9:16-17Genesis 9:16-17 – The rainbow represents – The rainbow represents the everlasting covenant between God the everlasting covenant between God and man. and man.

Ether 6:12Ether 6:12 – The Jaredites did land upon the – The Jaredites did land upon the shore of the promised land. (see Alma shore of the promised land. (see Alma 37:43-45)37:43-45)

Spiritual TranslationSpiritual Translation

The rainbow to Noah and the promised land to the Jaredites may be compared to Eternal The rainbow to Noah and the promised land to the Jaredites may be compared to Eternal Life, the greatest of all gifts.Life, the greatest of all gifts.

Be Prepared Spiritually and TemporallyBe Prepared Spiritually and Temporally

Elder W. Don Ladd taught, “When it starts raining, Elder W. Don Ladd taught, “When it starts raining, it is too late to begin building the ark. … We … it is too late to begin building the ark. … We … need to listen to the Lord’s spokesmen. We need to listen to the Lord’s spokesmen. We need to calmly continue to move ahead and need to calmly continue to move ahead and prepare for what will surely come. We need not prepare for what will surely come. We need not panic or fear, for if we are prepared, spiritually panic or fear, for if we are prepared, spiritually and temporally, we and our families will survive and temporally, we and our families will survive any flood. Our arks will float on a sea of faith if any flood. Our arks will float on a sea of faith if our works have been steadily and surely our works have been steadily and surely preparing for the future”preparing for the future”

(in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 37; or (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 37; or Ensign,Ensign, Nov. 1994, 29) Nov. 1994, 29)

Temporal WelfareTemporal Welfare

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The revelation to produce and store food may revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah”people in the days of Noah”

(in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 61; or (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 61; or Ensign,Ensign, Nov. 1987, 49). Nov. 1987, 49).

I can Sleep when the Wind BlowsI can Sleep when the Wind Blows

A young man applied for a job as a farm hand. The farmer A young man applied for a job as a farm hand. The farmer asked the young man what he could do. He said; “I can asked the young man what he could do. He said; “I can sleep when the wind blows”. Not impressed, but sleep when the wind blows”. Not impressed, but nevertheless needing help, the farmer hired the young nevertheless needing help, the farmer hired the young man. He soon noticed that the young man was a good man. He soon noticed that the young man was a good worker. However, one night the farmer was awakened worker. However, one night the farmer was awakened by a great storm. He arose quickly and went to where by a great storm. He arose quickly and went to where the young man was sleeping so they could care for the the young man was sleeping so they could care for the animals caught in the storm. The farmer could not wake animals caught in the storm. The farmer could not wake the young man and proceeded to go outside alone to the young man and proceeded to go outside alone to secure the animals in safe places only to find out that the secure the animals in safe places only to find out that the barn doors were already fastened tight and the animals barn doors were already fastened tight and the animals were already safe. It was then he understood what the were already safe. It was then he understood what the young man meant when he said, “I can sleep when the young man meant when he said, “I can sleep when the wind blows.”wind blows.”

Commentary – The Great TowerCommentary – The Great TowerIn Genesis, only nine verses are dedicated to the story of the Tower of Babel. In Genesis, only nine verses are dedicated to the story of the Tower of Babel.

The account concludes with the following: So the Lord scattered them The account concludes with the following: So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of the whole earth: and they left off to abroad from thence upon the face of the whole earth: and they left off to build the city. (Genesis 11:8)build the city. (Genesis 11:8)

Moroni, the son of Mormon, provides us with more information about a remnant Moroni, the son of Mormon, provides us with more information about a remnant who were scattered as a result of the events surrounding the great tower. who were scattered as a result of the events surrounding the great tower. “And now I, Moroni, proceed to give an account of those ancient inhabitants “And now I, Moroni, proceed to give an account of those ancient inhabitants who were destroyed by the hand of the Lord upon the face of this north who were destroyed by the hand of the Lord upon the face of this north country. (Ether 1:1)country. (Ether 1:1)

Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their familes from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language familes from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people. (Ether 1:33)of the people. (Ether 1:33)

The Lord told the brother of Jared that, “I will go before thee into a land which is The Lord told the brother of Jared that, “I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth. And there I will bless thee and thy choice above all the lands of the earth. And there I will bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and the seed of thy brother, and seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and the seed of thy brother, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation, and there shall be none greater they who shall go with thee, a great nation, and there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. (Ether 1:42-43) SEE NEXT SLIDE.the earth. (Ether 1:42-43) SEE NEXT SLIDE.

Commentary–The Great Tower, Cont.Commentary–The Great Tower, Cont.

A sixteenth century Mexican writer by the name of Fernando de Alba de A sixteenth century Mexican writer by the name of Fernando de Alba de Ixtlilxochitl wrote a parallel account of that of Moroni. Ixtlilxochitl’s account Ixtlilxochitl wrote a parallel account of that of Moroni. Ixtlilxochitl’s account was published in 1600 AD. A portion of it is as follows.was published in 1600 AD. A portion of it is as follows.

The records indicate that the world was created in the year Ce Tecpatl, and the period of time from the creation to the flood is called Atonatiuh, which means the age of the sun of water because the world was destroyed by the flood. And it is recorded in the Tulteca history that this period or first world, as they called it, lasted for 1,716 years, after which time great lightning and storms from the heavens destroyed mankind, and everything in the earth was covered by water including the highest mountain called Caxtolmolictli, which is 15 cubits high.14

To this they recorded other events, such as how, after the flood, a few people who had escaped the destruction inside a Toptlipetlacalli, which interpreted means an enclosed ark, began again to multiply upon the earth. After the earth began again to be populated, they built a Zacualli very high and strong, which means the very high tower, to protect themselves against a second destruction of the world.15

As time elapsed, their language became confounded, such that they did not understand one another; and they were scattered to all parts of the world. The Tultecas, consisting of seven men and their wives, were able to understand one another, and they came to this land, having first crossed many lands and waters, living in caves and passing through great tribulations. Upon their arrival here, they discovered that it was a very good and fertile land.16 SEE: Allen, chapter 11, Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon, 2008.

The EndPower point by Joseph L. Allen

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the flood and the tower lesson 6 the flood and the tower type and shadow the most important lesson...

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