Overview

Episode Theme:
This episode of followHIM focuses on Genesis 5 and Moses 6 (Part 1) from the Come, Follow Me curriculum. Hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway are joined by Dr. Kerry Muhlestein, an Old Testament and ancient scripture scholar, to explore the restored account of Enoch, the development of the Gospel from Adam through Enoch, and how these ancient texts teach about the nature of Christ, priesthood, covenants, and faithful family legacy.

The discussion is lively, deeply faithful, and filled with practical tips for deepening scripture study, teaching Come, Follow Me, and finding personal application in Old Testament lessons. The hosts and guest also reflect on the richness the Restoration adds to our understanding of Enoch and God’s dealings with His children.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Restored Story of Enoch and the Value of the Pearl of Great Price

• Genesis 5 vs. Moses 6:
  • Genesis offers just a hint of Enoch—"Enoch walked with God" (03:49), while Moses 6 (through Joseph Smith’s translation) provides a "flood of light and knowledge" about Enoch’s calling, humility, and his city. Smith and Muhlestein emphasize how deeply restoration scripture (via the Prophet Joseph Smith) transforms our understanding.
    • Quote: "Joseph Smith gives us 60 times as much as what is in Genesis." – Hank Smith (04:08)
  • Muhlestein calls Moses 6 "one of the most beautiful chapters in all of scripture" (03:14).

2. Approaching the Old Testament: Lenses and Study Tips

Dr. Muhlestein outlines ways to gain more from Old Testament study:

• See Jehovah (Jesus Christ) in the Text:
  • The Old Testament’s main character is Jehovah, "which is Jesus Christ." (08:41)
  • Encourage searching for Christ’s nature, character, and interactions with humanity.
    • Quote: "Jehovah is Jesus Christ. Sometimes we forget that when we read the Bible… Every week we should learn something about Christ or Jehovah." – Dr. Kerry Muhlestein (08:41)
• Look for Symbolism:
  • The Old Testament is filled with symbolic action. Slow down, especially in stories like the Exodus, to see how God uses real events to teach through symbols (14:10).
• A Covenant Family Story:
  • The OT highlights "the story of God and his family," emphasizing the importance of family—even with messiness and imperfection (15:02).
  • Genealogies and family records (Genesis 5) matter as the means God brings covenant blessings.
• Importance of Language and Record Keeping:
  • The "book of remembrance" in Moses 6 is an example of preserving spiritual heritage and literacy (27:03–30:04).

3. Moses 6: The Context and Reception

• Restoration Process:
  • Moses 6 is a product of early Joseph Smith Translation (JST); its length and completeness necessitated its standalone publication (17:20).
  • Timeline: Joseph Smith received Moses 5:52–6:18 (Nov 30, 1830), 6:19–52 (next day), and 6:52–7:1 soon after—a “dense” period of revelation (17:20).
• Content Summary:
  • The focus moves from Adam and Eve teaching sacrifice and the Gospel, to their children’s rebellion, Cain’s apostasy, and finally to Seth’s faithful line leading to Enoch (21:00–23:38).

4. Families, Messiness, and the Enduring Gospel

• The discussion affirms that:
  • Families are messy—Scripture doesn’t sanitize family struggles, but the "good news" is the Gospel’s power to heal and offer hope (23:11).
  • The Gospel and priesthood were present from the beginning, not a late addition in God’s dealings with humanity (22:00, 34:11).
    • Quote: "What a blessing to know that Christ was known about and taught about from the beginning." – Dr. Kerry Muhlestein (22:00)

5. The Role of Literacy and Language in Faith

• Teaching children to read, write, and keep records allows the preservation and transmission of Gospel truths (27:03–30:04).
• Joseph Smith longed for the “language of Adam,” free from the “prison” of imperfect, broken human language (27:03).

6. Priesthood and the “Patriarchal Order”

• The panel traces the priesthood "from the beginning…until the end" (32:20–34:32).
• Patriarchal order—better called "family order"—should be understood as full partnership, not merely male governance.
  • Presidents Oaks and Hinckley are cited on equality and partnership in marriage (39:57–44:50).
    • Quote: “The more I feel the spirit, the more I am in a teamwork mentality and relationship with my wife, and the more I’m in a teamwork mentality and relationship, the more I feel the spirit, and the more we love each other.” – Dr. Kerry Muhlestein (43:59)

7. Revelation, Seeing Afar Off, and Being a Seer

• There’s repeated emphasis on the necessity of revelation in avoiding spiritual blindness and hardness (53:24–58:07).
  • Quote: “If I’m not hard-hearted…then I will have the Spirit, which makes it so I can see afar off.” – Dr. Kerry Muhlestein (55:39)
• Enoch’s transformation into a seer is highlighted, including the symbolism of washing clay from his eyes (65:42–67:56).
• Modern application: we are guided by prophets, seers, and revelators—“they see things we don’t, and sometimes we ignore them. That’s just ridiculous.” (67:56)

8. Facing Opposition, Standing for Truth

• Enoch’s boldness, despite being called strange and wild, prefigures all prophets and believers who are rejected by the world (73:47–74:01).
  • Quote: “If you are going to believe in and stand up for the truth, Satan and the world will come after you. The lesson is, God backs Enoch up.” – Dr. Kerry Muhlestein (71:24)
• Application: modern disciples may face offense but should be assured—God supports those who stand with Him.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Restored Knowledge of Enoch:

  • “Joseph Smith gives us 60 times as much as what is in Genesis.” – Hank Smith (04:08)

• On Seeing Christ in the Old Testament:

  • “Jehovah is Jesus Christ. Sometimes we forget that when we read the Bible… Every week we should learn something about Christ or Jehovah.” – Dr. Muhlestein (08:41)

• On Messy Families and the Hope of the Gospel:

  • “Families are messy… but there is good news. There’s hope and healing, all of that is ahead because of Christ.” – John Bytheway (23:11)

• On the Power and Limitations of Language:

  • “There is a language that can [convey gospel truth]. One day… we are able to communicate the truths of the gospel the way they deserve to be communicated, rather than in our crooked, broken, scattered language. That is a prison.” – Dr. Muhlestein (27:03)

• On the Partnership of Marriage:

  • “The more I feel the spirit, the more I am in a teamwork mentality and relationship with my wife… and the more we love each other. That’s how it works.” – Dr. Muhlestein (43:59)

• On Revelation and “Seeing Afar Off”:

  • “If I’m not hard-hearted…then I will have the Spirit, which makes it so I can see afar off.” – Dr. Muhlestein (55:39)

• On Personal Availability for God’s Work:

  • “God doesn’t ask about your ability, but about your availability. Then as you prove your dependability, he increases your capability.” – quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell (63:38)

• On the Role of Prophetic Seers:

  • “We have 15 people whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. They see things we don’t, and sometimes we ignore them. That’s just ridiculous.” – Dr. Muhlestein (67:56)

• On God’s Backing Bravery:

  • “I would rather have the world against me and God have my back than have God against me and the world have my back. One’s a lot more reliable than the other.” – Dr. Muhlestein (72:07)

Important Segments (with Timestamps)

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 03:10–04:39 | Genesis vs. Moses on Enoch | | 08:41–10:15 | Study tips: How to read the Old Testament | | 14:10–15:02 | Symbolism and the Old Testament as a family story | | 17:20–22:00 | Joseph Smith’s process receiving Moses 6 | | 27:03–30:04 | Language, literacy, and record-keeping | | 32:20–34:11 | Priesthood "from the beginning…to the end" | | 39:57–44:50 | Patriarchal order = partnership, not just male rule | | 53:24–55:39 | On revelation, “seeing afar off,” and spiritual blindness| | 65:42–67:56 | Enoch becomes a seer; application to modern prophets | | 71:24–72:07 | Cost of standing for truth and God “having your back” |

Closing Thoughts

This episode vividly demonstrates the value of Restoration scripture, especially the extended Enoch narratives, and offers listeners practical tools for personal and family scripture study. The application to our day—seeking personal revelation, honoring the family covenant, trusting modern prophets, and acting with courage in the face of opposition—are reinforced throughout with approachable humor, deep scholarship, and spiritual warmth.

Listeners are encouraged:

• To see the Old Testament as a revelation of Christ.
• To not be daunted by the “messiness” of real families.
• To seek the Spirit for “seeing afar off.”
• To stand bravely for truth, knowing that, like Enoch, God will stand with them.