Lesson 7: Enoch and a Zion People
Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996), 27–30
http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Enoch
Purpose
To help the children want to become pure in heart as was Enoch.
This lesson is all about hearts.
This lesson is all about hearts.
Preparation
- 1. Prayerfully study:
- • Moses 6:26–47—Enoch is called of God. He feels inadequate but is blessed.
- Moses 6:26-47
- 26 And it came to pass that Enoch journeyed in the land, among the people; and as he journeyed, the Spirit of God descended out of heaven, and abode upon him.
27 And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;
- hard hearts
- ears dull of hearing
- eyes cannot see afar off
28 And for these many generations, ever since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder, and have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father, Adam.
"denied me" means they have rebelled against God
29 Wherefore, they have foresworn themselves, and, by their oaths, they have brought upon themselves death; and a hell I have prepared for them, if they repent not;
30 And this is a decree, which I have sent forth in the beginning of the world, from my own mouth, from the foundation thereof, and by the mouths of my servants, thy fathers, have I decreed it, even as it shall be sent forth in the world, unto the ends thereof.
31 And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
32 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
33 Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.
- Choose: Choice was an issue at the heart of the War in Heaven. Partaking of the apple was a choice and brought Adam and Eve choice. Their children each chose whether to follow God or to follow Satan.
34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.
- Priesthood Power -- the Power of Faith,
- D&C 138 whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
- 35 And the Lord spake unto Enoch, and said unto him: Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see. And he did so.
36 And he beheld the spirits that God had created; and he beheld also things which were not visible to the natural eye; and from thenceforth came the saying abroad in the land: A seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people.
- What is a "seer"? From the Bible Dictionary:
- “A seer is a revelator and a prophet also” (Mosiah 8:15–16), and when necessary he can use the Urim and Thummim or holy interpreters (Mosiah 8:13; 28:16). There have been many seers in the history of God’s people on this earth but not so many as there have been prophets. “A seer is greater than a prophet … and a gift which is greater can no man have …” (Mosiah 8:15–18). Joseph Smith is the great seer of the latter days. In addition, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. For other references see 1 Sam. 9:9; 2 Sam. 24:11; 2 Kgs. 17:13; 1 Chr. 29:29;2 Chr. 9:29; 33:19; Isa. 29:10; 30:10; JST John 1:42 (John 1:42 note a); 2 Ne. 3:6–14; D&C 21:1; 107:92;124:94, 125; 127:12; 135:3; Moses 6:36, 38.
- 37 And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him.
38 And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers: Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go yonder to behold the seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in the land; a wild man hath come among us.
39 And it came to pass when they heard him, no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God.
40 And there came a man unto him, whose name was Mahijah, and said unto him: Tell us plainly who thou art, and from whence thou comest?
41 And he said unto them: I came out from the land of Cainan, the land of my fathers, a land of righteousness unto this day. And my father taught me in all the ways of God. 42 And it came to pass, as I journeyed from the land of Cainan, by the sea east, I beheld a vision; and lo, the heavens I saw, and the Lord spake with me, and gave me commandment; wherefore, for this cause, to keep the commandment, I speak forth these words.
- Lamech's son Noah was born four years after the city of Enoch was taken into heaven.
Enoch's Genealogy/Family History
____________
Adam
Seth
Enos
Cainan
Mahalaleel
Jared
Enoch
Methuselah
Lamech Noah |
42 And it came to pass, as I journeyed from the land of Cainan, by the sea east, I beheld a vision; and lo, the heavens I saw, and the Lord spake with me, and gave me commandment; wherefore, for this cause, to keep the commandment, I speak forth these words.
- 43 And Enoch continued his speech, saying: The Lord which spake with me, the same is the God of heaven, and he is my God, and your God, and ye are my brethren, and why counsel ye yourselves, and deny the God of heaven?
44 The heavens he made; the earth is his footstool; and the foundation thereof is his. Behold, he laid it, an host of men hath he brought in upon the face thereof.
45 And death hath come upon our fathers; nevertheless we know them, and cannot deny, and even the first of all we know, even Adam.
46 For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our own language.
- • Moses 7:1–4—Enoch talks to the Lord face to face.
Moses 7:1 And it came to pass that Enoch continued his speech, saying: Behold, our father Adam taught these things, and many have believed and become the sons of God, and many have believed not, and have perished in their sins, and are looking forth with fear, in torment, for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God to be poured out upon them.
2 And from that time forth Enoch began to prophesy, saying unto the people, that: As I was journeying, and stood upon the place Mahujah, and cried unto the Lord, there came a voice out of heaven, saying—Turn ye, and get ye upon the mount Simeon.
3 And it came to pass that I turned and went up on the mount; and as I stood upon the mount, I beheld the heavens open, and I was clothed upon with glory;
- transfiguration
- Moses 7:11–33, 41, 44, 47—The city of Zion is established. Enoch has a vision of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Moses 6: 5 And a book of remembrance was
kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of
Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;
47 And as Enoch spake forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand in his presence.
Moses 7: 11 And he gave unto me a commandment that I should baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is full of grace and truth, and of the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son.
12 And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent;
13 And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.
14 There also came up a land out of the depth of the sea, and so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God, that they fled and stood afar off and went upon the land which came up out of the depth of the sea.
15 And the giants of the land, also, stood afar off; and there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God;
16 And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.
17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.
20 And it came to pass that Enoch talked with the Lord; and he said unto the Lord: Surely Zion shall dwell in safety forever. But the Lord said unto Enoch: Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed.
21 And it came to pass that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth; and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Behold mine abode forever.
22 And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it was the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them.
23 And after that Zion was taken up into heaven, Enoch beheld, and lo, all the nations of the earth were before him;
24 And there came generation upon generation; and Enoch was high and lifted up, even in the bosom of the Father, and of the Son of Man; and behold, the power of Satan was upon all the face of the earth.
25 And he saw angels descending out of heaven; and he heard a loud voice saying: Wo, wo be unto the inhabitants of the earth.
26 And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.
27 And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.
28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?
29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?
30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;
31 And thou hast taken Zion to thine own bosom, from all thy creations, from all eternity to all eternity; and naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?
32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
33 And 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;
47 And behold, Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, even in the flesh; and his soul rejoiced, saying: The Righteous is lifted up, and the Lamb is slain from the foundation of the world; and through faith I am in the bosom of the Father, and behold, Zion is with me.
- • Moses 7:62–65, 69; Articles of Faith 1:10—The return of the city
of Zion.
62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.
63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;
64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.
65 And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;
69 And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, Zion is Fled.- 2. Additional reading:
- • D&C 107:48–49—Enoch walks and talks with the Lord.
- • Genesis 5:21–24—Enoch walks with God.
- 3. Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii). Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will best help the children achieve the purpose of the lesson.
- 4. Materials needed:
- a. A Pearl of Great Price for each child.
- b. A Book of Mormon and a Doctrine and Covenants.
- c. A small, clear container of clean water that will fit into a larger container of dirty or muddy water (see the attention activity).
- d. Picture 6-6, The City of Enoch.
- a.
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Suggested Lesson Development
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Attention Activity
[If you could live in a perfect town or city, what would it be like?
How would the people act?
Display a small, clear container of clean water inside a larger container of dirty water. Point out that it is possible for the water in the small container to remain pure even when it is surrounded by filthy water. Liken the clean water to people who are trying to live clean lives in an evil world. It is possible for us to remain pure and righteous if we do not allow any impurity or unrighteousness into our lives. Tell the children that in this lesson they will learn about Enoch, an Old Testament prophet, who was pure in heart.
Scripture Account
Teach the children the account of Enoch from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Emphasize the following points about Enoch’s life:
the father of Methuselah, and the great-grandfather of Noah.
translated at age 430
the father of Methuselah, and the great-grandfather of Noah.
translated at age 430
- • When Enoch was first called to be a prophet, he felt inadequate. He was young and “slow of speech” (Moses 6:31), but he exercised faith and obeyed the Lord’s will.
- • Enoch talked with the Lord face to face and saw many visions. He prophesied of the Restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon (“truth will I send forth out of the earth” [Moses 7:62]), the preaching of the gospel to all the world, the building of the New Jerusalem, and the ushering in of the Millennium.
- • Enoch taught, helped convert, and baptized many people, who became so righteous that they lived in a “City of Holiness, even Zion” (Moses 7:19).
- • This holy city was “taken up into heaven” and will return at the time of the Millennium. When it returns it will join with the earthly Zion, which is the New Jerusalem.
Discussion and Application Questions
Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.
- • How did Enoch receive his calling? (Moses 6:26–27, 42.) What was Enoch called to do?
- • How were most of the people living at the time Enoch received his call? (Moses 6:27–29.)
26 And it came to pass that Enoch journeyed in the land, among the people; and as he journeyed, the Spirit of God descended out of heaven, and abode upon him.
27 And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;
- • Why did Enoch feel his calling was too difficult for him? (Moses 6:31.)
- 31 And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
- What specifically did the Lord tell Enoch to do before he would be blessed? (Moses 6:32.) What did the Lord tell Enoch to say? (Moses 6:33.)
- 32 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
- How were the Lord’s promises in Moses 6:34 fulfilled? (Moses 7:13.)
13 And so great was the a faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he b spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the c mountains fled, even according to his command; and the d rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so e powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.
- • Think of a time when you struggled or had a problem that was difficult. What can you learn from Enoch’s example in dealing with challenges? (See enrichment activity 1.)
- • What can we learn about the Lord from Enoch’s visions? (Moses 7:4.)
- 4 And I
a saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another,b face to face; and he said unto me:c Look, and I willd show unto thee the world for the space of many generations. - What did Enoch learn about the people of the world? (Moses 7:41.)
- 41 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Enoch, and
a told Enoch all the doings of the children of men; wherefore Enoch knew, and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery, and wept and stretched forth his arms, and hisb heart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned; and all eternity shook.
- • Display the picture The City of Enoch. How were the people who heard and obeyed Enoch’s words blessed? (Moses 7:16–17.) Why was their city called Zion? (Moses 7:18–19.) What do you think it means to be “of one heart and one mind”? How can you help your family be more like the people who lived in Zion? (See enrichment activity 4.)
- • What happened to Enoch and all the people in the city of Enoch? (Moses 7:21, 69; D&C 107:49.) What does it mean to be “taken up into heaven,” or translated? Help the children understand that when people are translated, their bodies are changed so they will not experience pain and will “never taste of death” (3 Nephi 28:7). At the time of the Second Coming they will “be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality” (3 Nephi 28:8).
- • Why did the Lord weep? (Moses 7:28, 32–33.) How do you want your parents and the Lord to feel when they see your actions? How do we know that each individual is important to the Lord?
- • When Enoch wept, how did the Lord comfort him? (Moses 7:44–45, 47.) How can thinking about Jesus Christ and his love and sacrifice for us comfort us even though there is great wickedness in the world?
- • When will Zion, or a city of the pure in heart, again be established? (Moses 7:62.) What is the “truth” that must “sweep the earth” to prepare for the establishment of Zion? (President Ezra Taft Benson defined this truth as the Book of Mormon [in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, p. 102; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 79.) How can we help fulfill this prophecy about the Book of Mormon?
- • Where will Zion, the New Jerusalem be located? (Articles of Faith 1:10.)
- • How long will Jesus Christ dwell on the earth with the righteous in Zion? (Moses 7:64–65.) Point out that this period of one thousand years is called the Millennium.
- • How can you take part in preparing for this joyous time when Zion will be established? (See enrichment activity 3.)
Enrichment Activities
You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
- 1. Compare the story of Enoch’s call with the account in Ether 12:27 of God’s promises to those who feel inadequate to accept callings. Invite the children to mark in their own copies of the Pearl of Great Price any of the following verses that could strengthen and help them when they feel inadequate:
- Moses 6:31—Enoch felt weak so he prayed in humility.
- Moses 7:13—Enoch had faith and his weaknesses became his strengths.
- Moses 6:35—Enoch was obedient.
- Moses 6:37—Enoch worked hard.
- Moses 7:41, 44—Enoch had compassion.
- 2. Discuss the following statement from President Spencer W. Kimball:“For many years we have been taught that one important end result of our labors, hopes, and aspirations in this work is the building of a Latter-day Zion, a Zion characterized by love, harmony, and peace—a Zion in which the Lord’s children are as one. …“This day will come; it is our destiny to help bring it about! …“… That can only be done through consistent and concerted daily effort by every single member of the Church. … May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to ‘bring again Zion.’ …“First, we must eliminate … selfishness. …“Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. …“Third, we must … sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1978, pp. 121–23; or Ensign, May 1978, pp. 80–81).On the chalkboard list the three things President Kimball said we must do to “bring again Zion.” Let the children think of specific ways to do each one.
- 3. Help the children memorize Articles of Faith 1:10. Explain that the time when the earth will be renewed and Jesus Christ will come to reign personally on the earth will be the Millennium.
- 4. Tie a bundle of slender sticks together with a string. Ask one of the children to try to break the sticks while they are tied together. Explain that it is too difficult for one person. Untie the string and give each child a stick to break. Discuss the importance of each person doing his or her part in establishing a Zion-like society in his home and circle of friends. You might suggest to the children that they could try this activity at home and then discuss with their families ways they can each do their part to make their home more like the city of Enoch.
- 5. Have the children name things they can do each day that will help them become more pure in heart. Have them name things that will take away that purity. (Help them think of more positive than negative things.) Write their ideas on slips of paper and put them in a container. Designate the front of the classroom as “Zion,” and have the children stand side by side in a row facing “Zion.” Pull a slip of paper out of the container, read what is written on it, and have the children move forward one step if the idea will help them become pure or move back one step if the idea would influence them to become unrighteous. Keep reading ideas until the children reach “Zion.”
Things that will help you become more pure in heart
|
Things that will take away that purity
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Studying the scriptures
Listening to hymns, primary songs, and other good music
Thinking about Jesus
Attending our church meetings
Helping others
Using clean language
Avoiding bad things in the media
Praying
|
Listening to the wrong kind of music
Using unclean language – swearing and using other
insulting and disrespectful language
Being unkind to others
Disobeying parents and Heavenly Father
Skipping church meetings (without a good reason)
|
- 6. Sing or read the words to
“Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, p. 110), “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook,p. 78), or “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, p. 82).
Conclusion
Testimony
You may want to bear testimony that being pure in heart as Enoch and his people were brings happiness. Encourage the children to decide on one or two specific things they can do during the coming week to become more pure and thus help others around them become better also.
Suggested Family Sharing
Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”
Suggested Home Reading
Suggest that the children study Moses 7:18–21 at home as a review of this lesson.
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.
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