BIBLE DICTIONARY
The patriarch; son of Lamech (Gen. 5: 29-32). When he was 10 years old, Noah was ordained to the priesthood by Methuselah (D&C 107: 52). He became a preacher of righteousness and declared the gospel of Jesus Christ, even as Enoch, teaching faith, repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 2: 5; Moses 8: 19, 23-24). His life was sought by unbelievers, but he was preserved by the power of God (Moses 8: 18, 26). He and his sons Japheth, Shem, and Ham, and their wives, making eight in all, were saved from the flood by the ark they had built at the command of God (Gen. 6 - 8; Heb. 11: 7; 1 Pet. 3: 20). We learn from latter-day revelation that Noah is also the angel Gabriel (HC 3: 386).
The Lord’s covenant with Noah affirmed that the earth would never be covered with a flood again (Gen. 9: 1-17; cf. Moses 7: 49-52). Noah, a righteous man, holds the keys of a dispensation and stands next to Adam in authority (HC 3: 386). Other references to Noah are Isa. 54: 9; Ezek. 14: 14, 20; Matt. 24: 37-38; Luke 3: 36; Luke 17: 26-27.
The tradition of a great flood is found in nearly every ancient culture. A Babylonian account closely resembles the record in the Bible, but the biblical account differs from all others in its religious value and the purpose of it. The scriptural account teaches that the flood was sent to cleanse the earth because of the wickedness of the people. Noah and his family were saved because they were righteous (Gen. 6: 9; Moses 8: 27). The authenticity of the Genesis account of the flood is confirmed by latter-day revelation as recorded in Moses 7: 34, 42-43; Moses 8: 8-30. Cf. Ether 13: 2.
Just as Noah of old prepared the ark according to his faith that it would rain, are we preparing our testimony and our faith BEFORE it rains so we will be ready to withstand any trial?
More on Noah:
Gospel Doctrine Lesson: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=7904c106dac20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD
The Flood and Tower of Babel: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=4a5557b60090c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
