Scholarship, context and study plans for Come, Follow Me
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 1:18
Come, Follow Me · Old Testament 2026 · Week 4
The Fall of Adam and Eve
January 19–25, 2026Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–54 chapters · 141 verses
Adam and Eve eat the fruit, leave the garden, and begin mortal life: work, pain, children, death and choice. The restored account shows the Fall as part of God's plan from the start, with a Redeemer promised immediately. Then the first family's story turns tragic, as Cain chooses Satan over his brother.
Chapter
Also read in
The text shown is the King James Version, the Church's preferred English Bible for classes and meetings. The General Handbook lists the ESV and NRSV as helpful translations for ages 14 and up. They are copyrighted, so they open on their publishers' sites. Highlighted verses have a study note with links to compare that verse.
Study guide
The restored scriptures turn the Fall from a tragedy into a necessary step in God's plan. These notes help you read Genesis with that light.
How to read this week
Read Genesis 3 with Moses 4 and 2 Nephi 2. Together they show the Fall as part of the plan: without it there would be no children, no growth and no joy (2 Nephi 2:22–25).
Notice what God does. He seeks them (“Where art thou?”), explains consequences, promises a Redeemer (3:15), and clothes them (3:21). Judgment and mercy come together.
Watch for Christ. The promise about the serpent's head (3:15), the coats of skins (3:21) and the sacrifices of Moses 5 all point to the Savior.
Read Eve generously. Latter-day Saint teaching honors Eve. Her words in Moses 5:11 are some of the wisest in scripture.
See Cain as a warning. He was invited to master sin (Genesis 4:7) and chose otherwise. His story shows agency in both directions.
From the council to the first family
Premortal life — The Father presents His plan; Jesus volunteers; Satan rebels (Moses 4:1–4)
In the garden — Adam and Eve in God's presence, with a choice before them
The Fall — They eat the fruit and leave the garden (Genesis 3)
Outside Eden — They pray, offer sacrifice, and are taught of Christ (Moses 5:4–9)
The first family — Cain kills Abel; Seth is born (Genesis 4; Moses 5)
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
Gen 3:1
The serpent
Satan's deception. Elsewhere the serpent also symbolizes Christ's healing (Numbers 21), showing how Satan imitates.
Gen 3:7
Fig-leaf aprons
Human attempts to cover our own shame.
Gen 3:15
Bruised head and heel
Christ's victory over Satan, at the cost of His own suffering.
Gen 3:21
Coats of skins
God's covering for them, made through a sacrifice. A symbol of the Atonement.
Gen 3:24
Cherubim and the flaming sword
The way back to God's presence, guarded but not closed.
Moses 5:5–7
Firstlings of the flock
Sacrifice as a reminder of the Only Begotten.
Gen 4:10
Abel's blood crying out
The cost of sin, and the need for a better sacrifice (Hebrews 12:24).
Restoration connections
2 Nephi 2:19–27 — “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”
Alma 12:21–37; 42:2–15 — Why the way to the tree of life was guarded.
D&C 29:39–43 — The Fall and redemption explained.
Article of Faith 2 — We will be punished for our own sins, not for Adam's transgression.
Questions for the week
How does seeing the Fall as part of God's plan change how you view the challenges of mortal life?
God asked Adam, “Where art thou?” If He asked you today, how would you answer?
Where do you see God's mercy in Genesis 3, even as consequences come?
What do Eve's words in Moses 5:11 teach you?
Cain was told he could “rule over” sin (Genesis 4:7). What helps you master temptation?
Conference talks & Church resources
Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.
Scholarly papers
Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.
Podcasts & video
Come, Follow Me shows and episodes covering this week's reading.