Moses 7
CFM-Families/SS
Throughout history, people have tried to achieve what Enoch and his people accomplished: building an ideal society where there is no poverty or violence. As God’s people, we share this desire. We call it building Zion, and it includes—in addition to caring for the poor and promoting peace—making covenants, dwelling together in righteousness, and becoming one with each other and with Jesus Christ, “the King of Zion” (Moses 7:53).
Enoch’s efforts are a pattern for building Zion in our own lives.
Because Moses 7 is a record of how God’s followers successfully built Zion, it can instruct and inspire us today as we strive to do the same.
Philippians 2:1–4; 4 Nephi 1:15–18; Doctrine and Covenants 97:21; 105:5.
Seminary Manual
Moses 7:16–20—Building and Establishing Zion
President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of establishing Zion in our day:
“May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to ‘bring again Zion.’ . . .
“First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind. . . .
“Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions. . . .
“‘If the Spirit of the Lord is to magnify our labors, then this spirit of oneness and cooperation must be the prevailing spirit in all that we do’ . . . (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 1983.) . . .
“Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a ‘broken heart
and a contrite spirit.’ We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings. We learn our duty and execute it fully. Finally we consecrate our time, talents and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 122–24; or Ensign, May 1978, 81).
Donald and Jay Parry give us the following regarding Zion: In this remarkable revelation to Enoch, the Lord reveals much regarding the latter-day Zion. He designates this city by four names: Zion, New Jerusalem, Holy City, and mine abode. The first name attests that the city will be a place of safety: the Hebrew word Zion means “stronghold” or “citadel.” New Jerusalem, the second name, relates Zion to Jerusalem of ancient Palestine but is marked New to differentiate it from Old Jerusalem; the third name, Holy City, shows Zion to be consecrated and set apart from other places; and the fourth, mine abode, (Moses 7.68) indicates that Zion will be the Lord’s home, where he will reign for a thousand years. See: D. W. Parry et al., Understanding the Signs, p. 184.
God’s people should strive to be “of one heart and one mind.”
God weeps for His children.
Some people see God as a distant being who isn’t emotionally affected by what happens to us. But Enoch saw a vision in which God wept for His children.
God is not exempt from emotional pain. Exempt? On the contrary, God’s pain is as infinite as His love. He weeps because He feels compassion. As the Lord explains to Enoch, “unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood . . . and misery shall be their doom; and the whole heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of mine hands; wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer?” (Terryl and Fiona Givens, God Who Weeps, Ensign Peak, 2012, p. 24)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
“In the midst of a grand vision of humankind which heaven opened to his view, Enoch, observing both the blessings and challenges of mortality, turns his gaze toward the Father and is stunned to see Him weeping. He says in wonder and amazement to this most powerful Being in the universe: ‘How is it that thou canst weep?’ …
“Looking out on the events of almost any day, God replies: ‘Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands. … I gave unto them … [a] commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood. … Wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer?’ [Moses 7:29–33, 37].
“That single, riveting scene does more to teach the true nature of God than any theological treatise could ever convey. … What an indelible image of God’s engagement in our lives! What anguish in a parent when His children do not choose Him nor ‘the gospel of God’ He sent! [Romans 1:1]. How easy to love someone who so singularly loves us!” (“The Grandeur of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 72).
In the last days God will gather His elect.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband: “Take heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear. I bless you that as you do so, you will not be troubled by the times in which we live or the troubles that come your way. I bless you to choose to stand in holy places and be not moved. I bless you to believe in the promises of Jesus Christ, that He lives and that He is watching over us, caring for us and standing by us” (“Be Not Troubled,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 21).
Seminary Manual
In Moses 7:62, Enoch was told about the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days. He was told of two important things that would happen to help gather the “elect” from the whole earth to prepare for the Second Coming: “Righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth.”
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