Enoch and His People Are Taken Up to God, by Del Parson

Moses 7

The prophet Enoch established a city called Zion. The people were unified and holy and cared for the poor. Eventually, the city was taken up to be with God. The Lord showed Enoch a vision of the history of the earth. Enoch saw the influence of the adversary and watched God weep for the suffering of His children. Enoch foresaw the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Restoration of the gospel in the last days, and the return of the city Zion to the earth.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: Old Testament, “Moses 7”

Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the standard lesson elements that follow.

Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

• Imagine living in an environment where everyone was perfectly committed to following Jesus Christ. As you study about Enoch and his people in Moses 7:16–21, ponder how you can make your surroundings a little more like Zion.

• Have you ever wondered how God feels when we struggle? Pay attention to what you learn and feel about Him as you read Moses 7:23–40.

• Do you ever feel anxious about living in the last days? Look for the Lord’s teachings in Moses 7:60–67 that can help you feel hope and encouragement.

Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Moses 7.

Skill Training

Moses 7:23–40 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Looking for Contrasts in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. You could use the skill “Asking Questions That Invite Diligent Learning” as you teach Moses 7:60–67.

Learning Activity Options

Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class. You could also seek input from your students.

• Moses 7:16–27, 53, 68–69

  How can I make my surroundings a little more like Zion?

• Moses 7:23–40

  How does God feel about me?

• Moses 7:60–67

  How can the Lord help me face the challenges of the last days?

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Encourage students to live what they are learning. Remember that deepening conversion and becoming more Christlike does not happen all at once. We must consistently act in faith and rely on Jesus Christ. As you invite those you teach to act in faith on true doctrine, you help them extend the learning experience into their homes and daily lives. Invite learners to intentionally apply what they are learning and set goals to help them stay accountable. You might occasionally share efforts you are making to apply truths from the scriptures to your own life. (For more, see Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], 24, 27.)

Moses 7:16–27, 53, 68–69

How can I make my surroundings a little more like Zion?

Consider sharing the following statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith:

We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 186)

Invite students to share what they currently know about what it means to build up Zion and why this is such an important goal. You could also have them silently evaluate their current efforts to build up Zion. Encourage them as they study to look for truths that can help them better understand what Zion is and how they can help establish it in their lives and in the world around them.

Explain that the prophet Enoch taught and led his people to establish the city of Zion. Though this occurred anciently, it provides a pattern for the type of people we need to become to build Zion today.

Invite students to study Moses 7:16–27, 53, 68–69 to discover some of the characteristics of Zion. (If students have questions about verse 22, you could invite them to read “Moses 7:22. What does it mean that ‘the seed of Cain were black’?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

Invite students to share characteristics of Zion they found. Consider listing their findings on the board. You could ask some of the following questions to help students share their insights:

• How was Zion different from the rest of the world?

• What did you notice about the relationship these people had with the Lord?

• What does verse 18 teach you about how we can become a people of Zion? (Students could identify a truth like this: We become the Lord’s people and build Zion when we are of one heart and one mind, live together in righteousness, and take care of the poor. Consider discussing how Jesus Christ exemplified these characteristics during His mortal life.)

Explain that Enoch and his people can serve as an example for us as we strive to build Zion today. Consider listing the following groups or settings on the board:

• Family

• Roommates and friends

• Ward or branch

• At work

• Online

• In the community

In partnerships or small groups, invite students to choose a few of the groups or settings from the list and discuss the following questions:

• What might it look like to build up Zion in this setting?

• What difference could more unity, holiness, or caring for others make in this part of my life?

Consider sharing the following statement by Elder D. Todd Christofferson and discussing additional insights students have about Zion and how they can help build it up:

Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens. … If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, … it will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and the needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen—Zion will come only as they happen. (“Come to Zion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 38)

Encourage students to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost as they create a plan to become more unified, holy, or charitable so they can more fully build up Zion in their lives. Invite them to include specific actions they will take and when they will take them. You could invite a few students to share plans that are not too personal with the class.

To conclude, consider testifying that Jesus Christ is the “King of Zion” (Moses 7:53) and that He will return to the earth at His Second Coming. Their efforts to build up Zion will help prepare themselves and others for His return.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Moses 7:21–40

How does God feel about me?

Consider sharing one or both of the following scenarios, or create your own:

• Ruby has family and friends who have chosen to not follow Jesus Christ. She wonders if their decisions have affected Heavenly Father’s love for them.

• Max is hesitant to seek a relationship with God. He sees God as harsh and quick to punish people.

Invite students to consider people they know who might be in situations like those in the scenarios. They could also think about their own relationship with God and the questions or feelings they have about Him. Encourage them to be receptive to what they can learn from the Holy Ghost as they learn more about God’s character in this learning activity.

Point out that Enoch and his people established Zion and were eventually taken up into heaven (see Moses 7:16–21, 68–69). In a vision, Enoch saw Satan’s influence over those who remained on earth because they had not become part of Zion.

Invite students to read Moses 7:23–27, looking for what Enoch saw and learned.

• What did you find in these verses that would be important to remember?

Study Moses 7:28–33, looking for how Heavenly Father felt as he looked upon those who chose not to follow Him.

• What did you learn or feel about Heavenly Father as you studied these verses? (Students may identify truths like these: Heavenly Father feels love and compassion for all people and weeps when they suffer. Heavenly Father is merciful and kind forever. Heavenly Father is intimately aware of us and our personal circumstances.)

• What difference can it make in your life to know these truths?

Consider sharing the following statement by President Jeffrey R. Holland:

There, in the midst of a grand vision of humankind which heavens 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? …Thou art just [and] merciful and kind forever; … Peace …is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?” …

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! …

I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit. (“The Grandeur of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 72)

Invite students to share what stood out to them from President Holland’s words. You could also consider asking the following question:

• How have you come to know that God loves you and is sensitive to your suffering? (It may be helpful for students to see examples of other young people who experienced this. You could watch the videos “God Hears You | Mosiah 23:10” [2:24] or “Heavenly Father Knows Me” [3:18]; Gospel Library.)

If there is time, you could explain that God taught Enoch that because of the great wickedness that existed on earth, those who would not repent would perish in a flood. This caused Enoch to weep (see Moses 7:36–44). Students could study Moses 7:44–53, looking for how the Lord comforted Enoch. You could discuss why seeing these things may have caused Enoch’s soul to rejoice.

To conclude the learning activity, invite students to reflect on what they have learned or felt from the Holy Ghost. Give them time to write down their thoughts and impressions.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Moses 7:60–67

How can the Lord help me face the challenges of the last days?

Consider sharing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory” [Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:36], He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.

Nonetheless, we are presently living in what surely is a most complicated time in the history of the world. The complexities and challenges leave many people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95)

Invite students to share their thoughts about President Nelson’s statement. You might ask questions like these:

• What are some of the challenges that can make it difficult to live in the last days?

• How can you find hope while living during the last days?

Explain that as part of his vision recorded in Moses 7, Enoch learned some of the ways the Lord would preserve His people in the last days. Invite students as they study to look for truths and be attentive to spiritual impressions from the Holy Ghost that can help them feel increased gratitude about living in this significant time in the world’s history.

Study together Moses 7:60–61. Invite students to look for and share perils the Lord told Enoch would occur in the last days.

• What did the Lord promise He would do for His people in verse 61? (You could invite students to mark the phrase “but my people will I preserve” in their scriptures.)

Consider writing the following phrase on the board: To preserve His people in the last days, the Lord will:

Invite students to study Moses 7:62–67, looking for ways they could complete the phrase from the board. Ask members of the class to share what they found. You could write their responses on the board. If needed, draw students’ attention to verse 62 and write the following truth on the board:

To preserve His people in the last days, the Lord will:

• Send righteousness out of heaven.

• Send truth out of the earth.

• Sweep the earth with righteousness and truth.

• Gather His people to Zion.

To help students better understand the significance of these prophesied events, consider discussing the questions below. (For more ideas about asking these types of questions, see “Asking Questions that Invite Diligent Learning” in Scripture Study Skills.)

• What are some ways the Lord has fulfilled or is fulfilling this prophecy? (You could write students’ answers on the board. It may be helpful to read “Moses 7:62–63. What was Enoch shown about the last days?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament to help students be better prepared to answer this question.)

• What do these prophesied events help you understand or feel about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• How have any of these prophesied events helped you through the difficulties of the last days?

You might conclude by sharing again the first paragraph of the statement by President Russell M. Nelson at the beginning of this learning activity. Consider inviting a few students to share reasons why they are grateful to live during this time in the world’s history.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”