A multitude at first apparently received the warning of Noah, yet did not fully turn to God with true repentance. There was some time given them before the flood was to come, in which they were to be placed upon probation—to be proved and tried. They failed to endure the trial. The prevailing degeneracy overcame them, and they finally joined others who were corrupt, in deriding and scoffing at faithful Noah. They would not leave off their sins, but continued in polygamy, and in the indulgence of their corrupt passions. {1SP 71.2}

I begyndelsen var der mange som tilsyneladende modtog Noas advarsel, men de vendte sig ikke fuldt til Gud med sand anger. En vis tid blev dem givet førend floden kom, i hvilken de blev sat på prøve – for at forsøges og prøves. De udholdt ikke prøven. Den herskende fordærvelse overvandt dem, og de deltog til sidst med andre som var fordærvede i at spotte og gøre nar af den gudfrygtige Noa. De ville ikke vende om fra sine synder men vedblev at have mange hustruer og hengive sig til sine urene lidenskaber.