Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Seven

The Days of Noah Compared to the Latter Days

Jesus taught: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26). We know that all mankind were destroyed in the flood except Noah and his family. We also know that at the Second Coming, like the days of Noah, the wicked will be destroyed and the righteous preserved. The question is what can we learn from the days of Noah that will protect us and our families in the latter days?

In the days of Noah there was great violence and wickedness that engulfed the whole earth. “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11). “And God saw that the wickedness of men had become great in the earth; and every man was lifted up in the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually” (Moses 8:22).

In the latter days there is also great violence and wickedness that effects most every part of the earth. In the latter days, throughout the earth, there are many worthy latter day saints and many congregations of righteous people. “For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it”

In the days of Noah eight people made a covenant with God, entered the ark, and were saved. “But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee” (Genesis 6:18, emphasis mine).

The ark was not a boat with a rudder or sails, but a large rectangular floating box containing three levels. Like the tabernacle of ancient Israel, the ark was sacred space. It was a temple where people made covenants with God, and human and animal life was preserved. Like the tabernacle, God revealed the dimensions of the ark and how it was to be made. (See Genesis 6:14-16)

Noah taught faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and he emphasized the gift of the Holy Ghost. “And it came to pass that Noah continued his preaching unto the people, saying: Hearken, and give heed unto my words; Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you; nevertheless they hearkened not” (Moses 8:23-24, emphasis added).

President Dallin H. Oaks, quoting President Russell M. Nelson, recently emphasized the importance of having the influence of the the Holy Ghost. “I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that ‘in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2018).

President Oaks further explained the need for the Holy Ghost: “One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many. Even active members may sometimes have concerns about some historical, doctrinal, or social issues connected with the Church” (Coming Closer to Jesus Christ, BYU Devotional, Feb.10, 2026).

We protect ourselves by making and keeping covenants and worshiping in the temple. President Oaks continued: “Protect yourself with the weekly renewing of your covenants by partaking of the sacrament and with consistent efforts to live according to those sacred covenants. Those who have been endowed should include regular attendance at the temple. In sum, stay on the covenant path. These simple practices will protect and strengthen you” (Ibid).

Noah and his family did two specific things that saved them from the flood. First, they received the Holy Ghost. Second, they made covenants and entered the ark, the ark being their temple. Entering the temple in our day will do for us what it did for Noah and his family. President Oaks was emphatic and made no exceptions when he said that in our day “the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived” (Ibid).

The companionship of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts of God. Jesus’ twelve Nephite disciples set the example: “They did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them” (3 Nephi 19:9). We should also desire and pray that the Holy Ghost will be given to us. The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts of God that we can have while we live in mortality.

A fulness of the Holy Ghost is available through temple worship. One of the great blessings of living in the latter days is the increased opportunity for temple worship. Joseph Smith introduced the doctrine of temple worship in the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple. This temple was the first temple in our dispensation, and the dedicatory prayer was given to Joseph by revelation. Joseph prayed: “And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house…that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost” (D&C 109:14-15, emphasis added).

This is the only place in scripture that the phrase “a fulness of the Holy Ghost” is found. These are not idle words, and may best be understood by applying the principles of physics. Physics teach that a small increase in the diameter of a pipe or a conduit exponentially increases the volume that can flow through the conduit. The Holy Ghost is the conduit that spiritual gifts and powers flow into our lives. If we can increase the conduit of the Holy Ghost into our lives to a fullness the spiritual gifts and blessings that follow will spill over into every dimension of our lives.

The Holy Ghost will show us all things that we should do. If we receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost through temple worship we will be blessed in our marriage, in our family, in raising our children, in our relationships with others, in our work and profession, in our studies, and in our callings. Temple worship will bless us in every righteous endeavor and responsibility.

I testify that “As it was in the days of Noah, so it [now is as we prepare for] the coming of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26). I also testify of the truthfulness of what both President Nelson and President Oaks taught: “It will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost”. I further testify that “all those who worship in the temple will, if they are worthy and desire it, receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost.

Released on February 22nd. 2026.