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Moses 6:1-47; 7:1-69 Ministry of ; The City of Enoch

Notes and Teachings

Moses 6:1-23 The Patriarchal Order high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were These verses speak of ’s posterity down to the righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there time of Enoch. More particularly, this genealogy focuses bestowed upon them his last blessing." After receiving this on the descent of the patriarchal . Notice the last blessing, "the Lord appeared unto them" (D&C genealogical similarity found in these verses with D&C 107:42-54). 107:40-47. D&C 107:40-41 state: “The order of this Of this event, the Prophet (1805-1844) priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father stated: "This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of wanted to bring them into the presence of God" (Teachings the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. (1938), p. order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down 159). Commenting on this, President Ezra Taft Benson by lineage in the following manner:” The descent of (1899-1994) taught: "How did Adam bring his priesthood key holders or rulers from Adam to Enoch is descendants into the presence of the Lord? The answer: then given as follows: Adam, , Enos, Cainan, Adam and his descendants entered into the priesthood Mahalaleel, Jared, and Enoch. Elder Bruce R. McConkie order of God. Today we would say they went to the house (1915-1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said of the Lord and received their blessings." Continuing, of this time period: “In their respective days there were, of President Benson said: "If a couple are true to their course, apostate peoples who set up governments of covenants, they are entitled to the blessing of the highest their own. But those who believed the gospel and sought degree of the celestial kingdom. These covenants today salvation remained subject to the patriarchal order can only be entered into by going to the house of the Lord. revealed and established by the Eternal Patriarch. And Adam followed this order and brought his posterity into the into their immediate families the Father of Spirits sent presence of God. He is the great example to follow. When those of his primeval children who, through faith and our children obey the Lord and go to the to receive devotion in preexistence, had earned the right to be born their blessings and enter into the marriage covenant, they in the households of faith” (A New Witness for the Articles of enter into the same order of the priesthood that God Faith [1985], p.35) instituted in the beginning with father Adam." (“What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, Moses 6:15. The works of wickedness continue. p. 9). Moses 6:26-36. The call of Enoch As righteousness continued from the days of Adam, wickedness was increasing its strangle hold on the earth. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) of the Quorum of “And in those days had great dominion among the Twelve Apostles summarized the call of Enoch: men, and raged in their hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man’s hand was When he was about 65 years of age, Enoch against his own brother, in administering death, because journeyed among men, and the Spirit of God descended of secret works, seeking for power” (Moses 6:15). out of heaven and abode upon him. A voice from heaven told him to prophesy and call others to Moses 6:17. Enos and the first land of promise. repentance, for the Lord was angry with the people, saying that "their hearts have waxed hard, and their In this verse, the first time a “land of promise” is ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar mentioned in the scriptures. The story in which this is off." The people had gone astray, had denied the Lord, mentioned is brief and lacks detail. But it appears that as had foresworn themselves by their oaths, had sought wickedness expanded, the righteous people in the days their own counsel in the dark, had devised murder, and of the Patriarch Enos, Adam’s grandson, fled or migrated had not kept commandments. to “a land of promise” no doubt for protection. This land Enoch humbly asked why he had found favor, for he was called Cainan”after [Enos’s] son” (Moses 6:17). In described himself as "but a lad," as "slow of speech," scriptural history, this is the first incident of the Lord’s and "all the people hate me." The Lord told him to go people being led to a land of promise. It was in this land and do as commanded, and "no man shall pierce thee." that Enoch was born and taught by his father “in all the He was told to "open thy mouth and it shall be filled." He ways of God” (Moses 6:41). was told to say to his people, "Choose ye this day to serve the Lord God." He was promised that mountains A Sacred Meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman would flee before him and rivers would turn from their courses. As wickedness increased among the inhabitants of the A saying subsequently went abroad in the land: "A earth, a sacred meeting was held in the days of Enoch. seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people." In his Though not mentioned in the Book of Moses, it seems testifying and prophesying Enoch was regarded by appropriate to briefly discuss this meeting. We learn of many as "a strange thing" and "a wild man," and at first it in D&C 107 where we are told: "Three years previous to "all men were offended because of him." (Of One Heart the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, [1975], p.63) Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and , who were all Moses 6:35-36. A Seer Moses 7:18-19. –The City of Enoch

Elder John A. Widstoe (1872-1952) of the Quorum of The following are teachings under various headings the Twelve Apostles taught that a “A seer is one who regarding the City of Enoch. sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an Zion Through the Law of Consecration interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the Enoch gathered his followers and established a city power of the Lord operating through him directly, or “called the City of Holiness, even ZION.” The account we indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the are reading states: “the Lord called his people ZION, Urim and Thummim. In short, he is one who sees, who because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt walks in the Lord's light with open eyes ” (Evidences and in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” Reconciliations [1960], p.258). (Moses 7:18-19). The Lord declared: “And Zion cannot be built up unless Moses 6:37-7:69. The ministry of Enoch it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself” (D&C 105:5). Enoch went forth preaching and teaching the gospel. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve High Nibley, Professor of Religion and Ancient Studies at Apostles stated that “The law of the celestial kingdom is, University summed up his ministry in of course, the gospel law and covenants, which include these words: “Enoch was received by the public first with our constant remembrance of the Savior and our pledge curiosity and surprise, then with resentment, then with of obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and fidelity” (“Come fear, and finally with a measure of acceptance that was to Zion,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 37–40). Of these, the law of to produce a church and the city of Enoch” (“A Strange Thing consecration is fundamental. Bishop Keith B. McMullin of in the Land: The Return of the , Part 10,” Ensign, Mar. the Presiding Bishopric stated, “The covenant of 1977, 87–88). consecration is central to this law...This covenant The Book of Moses does not give a full account of embraces the ‘giving of one's time, talents, and means to Enoch’s ministry. What is written can be divided into four care for those in need-whether spiritually or sections. The first section focuses on a doctrinal speech temporally-and in building the Lord's kingdom.’ ” (Come to in which (1) he describes how he knows what he is Zion! Come to Zion!, Ensign, November 2002, p.94). Elder Bruce teaching is true (Moses 6:37-47), and (2) gives important R. McConkie explained that “The law of consecration is information (which was considered in a previous lesson) that we consecrate our time, our talents, and our money about the gospel being taught to Adam (Moses 6:47-7:1). and property to the cause of the Church: such are to be The next section briefly describes further activities in available to the extent they are needed to further the his ministry. First, he climbed a mountain where “he Lord’s interests on earth” (“Obedience, Consecration, and stood before [God’s] face” and was shown a vision of Sacrifice,” Ensign, May 1975, 50). “the world for the space of many generations” in which he taught, “The law of consecration is was shown the wickedness of those living in his day and expressly designed for the establishment of Zion, where the future consequences their wickedness would produce ‘they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in (Moses 7:2-9). Enoch was then told to go among the righteousness; and there was no poor among them.’ wicked and call them to repentance (Moses 7:10-11). As (Moses 7:18.) For that, we must consecrate everything we he did so, he began to gather those who would hearken have to the whole; and yet we lose nothing, for we are all to his teachings. Great miracles attended Enoch’s one. To consecrate means to set apart, sanctify, and ministry as the wicked came against the righteous to relinquish our own personal interest in the manner destroy them. We are told that “he spake the word of the designated in the book of ” (“The Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, Atonement of Jesus Christ, Part 4,” Ensign, Oct. 1990, 27). Through even according to his command; and the rivers of water adherence to the law of consecration the city of Enoch were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions became a Zion. was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared “Zion is both a place and a people.” declared Elder greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch” (Moses Christofferson. “Zion is Zion because of the character, 7:13). Eventually a great division took place in which the attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens. Remember, ‘the wicked were at war one with another while Enoch and his Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one people “dwelt in righteousness” in a city “called the City of heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there Holiness, even Zion” (Moses 7:16-19). was no poor among them’ (Moses 7:18). If we would The third section reveals a vision given to Enoch establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, describing the events of the world from his day until we must rise to this standard. It will be necessary (1) to second coming of Jesus Christ and through the great become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, millennium. In this vision he saw his city eventually was individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care translated and “taken up into heaven.” Further, he saw for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we the return of his city to join the latter-day Zion called New eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion Jerusalem where they would dwell together in peace comes for these things to happen—Zion will come only as during the “thousand years the earth shall rest” (Moses they happen” (“Come to Zion,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 37–40) 7:20-67). The fourth section is an epilogue to the Enochian story. Temple Ordinances and the Law of Consecration We are told that “Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion.” This section President Ezra Taft Benson explained that those who concludes with the translation of the city of Enoch (Moses are endowed in the temple make various covenants to live 7:68-69). after a higher manner: “In the course of our visits to the temple, we are given insights into the meaning of the eternal journey of man. We see beautiful and impressive covenants, especially the law of consecration. symbolisms of the most important events-past, present, and future-symbolizing man's mission in relationship to “there was no poor among them.” God. We are reminded of our obligations as we make solemn covenants pertaining to obedience, consecration, Another way to say that “there was no poor among sacrifice, and dedicated service to our Heavenly Father.” them” is to say “they were self-reliant and thus free and All other covenants are designed to prepare us for the able to build the kingdom through personal service.” highest covenant, the law of consecration: “Until one Regarding this, President Marion G. Romney (1897- abides by the laws of obedience, sacrifice, the gospel, 1988) of the First Presidency gave an very insightful talk and chastity,” said President Benson, “he cannot abide in the October 1982 General Conference. The importance the law of consecration, which is the law pertaining to the of this talk is reinforced by the fact the it was reprinted in celestial kingdom. "For if you will that I give you place in the Ensign in March 2009. Study closely the following the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing selection from that talk: the things which I have commanded you and required of you" (D&C 78:7)” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], This scripture tells us there is no such thing as a p.251). temporal commandment. It also tells us that man is to be "an agent unto himself." Man cannot be an agent “of one heart and one mind” unto himself if he is not self-reliant. Herein we see that independence and self-reliance are critical keys to our Being of “one hear and one mind” speaks of unity or spiritual growth. Whenever we get into a situation which oneness. The Lord has declared: “I say unto you, be threatens our self-reliance, we will find our freedom one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). threatened as well. If we increase our dependence, we This oneness must between each member of the Church will find an immediate decrease in our freedom to act. with “every man esteem[ing] his brother as himself” (D&C Thus far, we should have learned that self-reliance is 38:25). But even more importantly it must include a prerequisite to the complete freedom to act. We have oneness with the Lord and his earthly leaders. President also learned, however, that there is nothing spiritual in J. Reuben Clark, Jr., (1871-1961) of the First Presidency self-reliance unless we make the right choices with that stated: “The oneness must come, brethren, through freedom. What then should we do once we have being one with him who stands at the head of the Church. become self-reliant in order to grow spiritually? And it is the duty and obligation of every officer of the The key to making self-reliance spiritual is in using the Church to square himself fully, wholly, unreservedly, freedom to comply with God's commandments. The without deception, without equivocation, to the mind and scriptures are very clear in their command that it is the will of the Lord as revealed to our prophet, seer, and duty of those who have to give to those who are in revelator. I say again, this principle relates to all the need. things that affect the well-being of the Church” (Conference Jacob, speaking to the people of Nephi, said: Report, April 1944, p.114). Likewise, President Heber C. “Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be Kimball (1801-1868) of the First Presidency said: familiar with all and free with your substance, that they “Brethren, we have all got to learn one thing, and that is, may be rich like unto you. to be one with our leader; and this oneness should “But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the extend from the least member up to the Prophet and kingdom of God. Seer–every man standing in his order and place, just as “And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall the branches of a tree are one with the stock and root” obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for (Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.123). the intent to do good-to clothe the naked, and to feed A Zion people are one in doctrine, principle, and the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer practice! And those doctrines, principles, and practices relief to the sick and the afflicted." (Jacob 2:17-19.) ... come through the Lord’s leaders here upon the earth. As The scriptures are full of commandments regarding President Brigham Young (1801-1877) taught: “This our obligation to care for the poor; therefore, I will not people have got to become of one heart and one mind. elaborate further. ... They have to know the will of God and do it, for to know We lose our life by serving and lifting others. By so the will of God is one thing, and to bring our wills, our doing we experience the only true and lasting dispositions, into subjection to that which we do happiness. Service is not something we endure on this understand to be the will of God is another.” (Discourses of earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial Brigham Young, selected and arranged by John A. Widtsoe[1998], kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted p.221). life in the celestial kingdom is made. ... “dwelt in righteousness” Let us use the freedom which comes from self-reliance in giving and serving. Can we see how critical self-reliance becomes when Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the looked upon as the prerequisite to service, when we English Language defines righteous as being “Just; also know service is what Godhood is all about? accordant to the divine law.” When “Applied to persons, Without self-reliance one cannot exercise these innate it denotes one who is holy in heart, and observant of the desires to serve. How can we give if there is nothing divine commands in practice.” In the context of the gospel there? Food for the hungry cannot come from empty of Jesus Christ righteousness is intrinsically tied to shelves. Money to assist the needy cannot come from keeping gospel covenants. Thus President James E. an empty purse. Support and understanding cannot Faust (1920-2007) of the First Presidency said: “A come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot righteous person is one who makes and keeps gospel come from the unlearned. And most important of all, covenants” (“The Key of the Knowledge of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2004, p. 52). spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually In Enoch’s Zion, all members made and kept gospel weak. There is an interdependence between those who such characters he held in reserve to be have and those who have not. The process of giving angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not exalts the poor and humbles the rich. In the process, entered into so great a fulness as those who are both are sanctified. The poor, released from the resurrected from the dead. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph bondage and limitations of poverty, are enabled as free Smith, sel Joseph Fielding Smith [1938], p. 170). men to rise to their full potential, both temporally and spiritually. The rich, by imparting of their surplus, President Joseph Fielding Smith added: participate in the eternal principle of giving. Once a person has been made whole or self-reliant, he Translated beings are still mortal and will have to pass reaches out to aid others, and the cycle repeats itself. through the experience of death, or the separation of We are all self-reliant in some areas and dependent the spirit and the body, although this will be in others. Therefore, each of us should strive to help instantaneous. The people of the City of Enoch, Elijah, others in areas where we have strengths. At the same and others who received this great blessing of time, pride should not prevent us from graciously translation in ancient times, before the coming of our accepting the helping hand of another when we have a Lord, could not have received the resurrection, or the real need. To do so denies another person the change from mortality to immortality at that time, opportunity to participate in a sanctifying experience. because our Lord had not paid the debt which frees us (“The Celestial Nature of Self-reliance,” Ensign, November 1982, from mortality and grants to us the resurrection and p.91; reprinted in Ensign, Mar 2009, 61–65; emphasis added) immortal life. (Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [1954-56], 2:300) City of Enoch–A theocracy Why was the City of Enoch translated? President Of the government of the City of Enoch, President Wilford Woodruff (1807-1898) offered this explanation: Joseph Fielding Smith (1876-1972) wrote: This City of Holiness, or Zion, was a theocracy like Why did not Enoch remain on the earth and Zion unto the government established by the Lord in the prevail? Because wickedness prevailed. The majority of days of Adam. In it the celestial law prevailed, the the human family in that generation were wicked; they commandments of the Lord were respected; there were not ruled over by the Lord; and, hence, there were were no jealousies, envyings, immorality or wickedness not men enough on the face of the earth, in that of any kind. The people were truly happy, and only by generation, who were willing to receive the Gospel, obedience to divine law can a people be truly happy. If keep the commandments of God, and work the works we, today, had the faith and willingness to serve the of righteousness, for Enoch to have power to remain on Lord and would love God and our neighbor as the earth. Therefore it was that the Lord took Enoch and ourselves, as we have been commanded to do, we the city of Enoch to himself; for we are informed by would be just as happy and blessed as were the people revelation that the city was translated and all its of the City of Zion. The Son of God would again be inhabitants. There were not men enough in the days of willing to do as he did with the inhabitants of Zion, he Enoch who were willing to sustain that which was right; could dwell in our midst, in other words, we could "walk one part or other had to leave the earth; and the Lord with God." It is only our rebellion and unwillingness to translated Enoch and his city and took them home to be obedient in all things, that keeps us from having the Himself. (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [1855-86], 11:243) companionship of heavenly messengers in this latter day. Eventually this condition will come, but not until the Elder Mark E. Petersen (1900-1984) of the Quorum of the earth is cleansed of its wickedness and the reign of Twelves Apostles added: “Thus there came a separation righteousness is ushered in for one thousand years. between the righteous and the wicked. But the Lord left (The Progress of Man [1964], pp.86-87) some of His leaders on the earth looking toward the time of the flood. He would continue to appeal to the rebellious to the very last, for He would leave them no excuse.” (Noah Moses 7:21, 69. The city of Enoch is translated and the Flood [1982], p.19)

Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed: " ‘In process of time’ consecration brought sanctification, and eventually translation, to the City of Enoch, regarding which, after its ascension, went forth the saying: ‘Zion is fled.’ " (Saturday Night Thoughts [1921], p.113) What is the doctrine of translation? The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-1844) taught:

Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this priesthood. There are many things which belong to the powers of the priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be revealed in the last times. Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fulness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for