Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Enoch is one of the greatest preachers of the Gospel! His faith in Christ enabled him to speak words powerfully, move mountains and lead his people to Zion. We look at how he did this and how modern-day prophets are working to make our hearts and homes more Zionlike today.
Like Enoch, we can:
Sister Carol F. McConkie: “When young women speak the words of Christ by the Spirit, their words can have power to help others feel the love of God, strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, and find answers to their questions. Their words bless others with enlightening, ennobling, and uplifting influence. Perhaps the most important words they speak will be to invite others to come unto Christ and find peace and joy in the blessings of His gospel. Young women can stand up and speak out in defense of true principles with loving kindness when they speak the words of Christ.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/sister-mcconkie-the-words-we-speak?lang=eng)
One cannot become a chosen person unless she/he has first made the choice.
Discussion questions:
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Sacrifice, the willingness to sacrifice for this the Lord’s work - and inherent in that law of sacrifice is the very essence of the Atonement, the ultimate sacrifice made by the Son of God in behalf of each of us.
“Consecration, which is associated with it, a willingness to give everything, if need be, to help in the on-rolling of this great work. And a covenant of love and loyalty one to another in the bonds of marriage, fidelity, chastity, morality.
“If our people could only learn to live by these covenants, everything else would take care of itself, I am satisfied. We would not have to worry about sacrament meeting attendance. We would not have to worry about willingness to serve missions. We would not have to worry about divorce and the many requests for cancellation of temple sealings. We would not have to worry about any of those things. (Meeting with General Authorities and Wives, April 10, 1996)
President Henry B. Eyring: “The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, said of those who would be part of His Church: ‘Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine’ (D&C 38:27) …
“Our Heavenly Father wants our hearts to be knit together. That union in love is not simply an ideal. It is a necessity. . . .(in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 85–86; or Ensign, May 1998, 66).
President Spencer W. Kimball: "We must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind.
“We must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions.
“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." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 363-364)
President Joseph F. Smith: "When I am ready to say, 'Father, all that I have, myself included, is Thine; my time, my substance, everything that I possess is on the altar, to be used freely, agreeable to Thy holy will, and not my will, but Thine, be done,' then perhaps I will be prepared to go and help to redeem Zion." (quoted in The Doctrine & Covenants Speaks, 2:299-300)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "In Enoch's day the Lord gathered together all the righteous and they with Enoch were taken from the earth, and later before the flood if any repented and accepted the truth they too were caught up to the people of Enoch, so that when the time came to cleanse the earth with water, only Noah and his family remained of the righteous, and they were left that the race of mankind might be perpetuated after the flood. This we learn from the record we have obtained. The flood was nothing more nor less than the cleansing of the earth by baptism.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Signs of The Times, p. 7)
Brigham Young: “Enoch had to talk with and teach his people during a period of three hundred and sixty years, before he could get them prepared to enter into their rest, and then he obtained power to translate himself and his people.” (see Moses 7:68, Journal of Discourses, 3:320)
Joseph Fielding Smith: “This (vs. 36) is a terrible arraignment against the inhabitants of this earth. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus Christ was sent here instead of to some other world, for in some other world they would not have crucified Him, and His presence was needed here because of the extreme wickedness of the inhabitants of this earth.” (Signs of the Times, 1943, p. 12; 1963, p. 10)
The Earth will:
President Joseph Smith: “And now, I ask, how righteousness and truth are going to sweep the earth as with a flood? I will answer. Men and angels are to be co-workers in bringing to pass this great work, and Zion is to be prepared, even a new Jerusalem, for the elect that are to be gathered from the four quarters of the earth, and to be established an holy city” (History of the Church, 2:260)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Enoch, whose mortal ministry preceded by five thousand years the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, saw in vision both the Second Coming and the coming forth of the volume of holy scripture that would prepare the way for that glorious day. To him the Lord said: (read vs. 62). The Book of Mormon shall come forth from American soil, from plates buried in Cumorah, from the soil that supported the people of whom it speaks. The Book of Mormon shall come forth containing the word of the gospel which will unite with the power of the gospel that comes down from heaven. The Book of Mormon shall come forth to testify of Christ and His resurrection and the resurrection of all men. It was to be the Lord's way of bringing to light anew His saving truths.” (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 150-51)
Zion served to provide a refuge from the world and create a righteous society for Christ to return to. Once they were translated, the former inhabitants of Enoch and Melchizedek’s cities received a new calling. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “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 fullness, but his is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets.” (TPJS, p. 170.)
John Taylor: “It would appear that the translated residents of Enoch's city are under the direction of Jesus, who is the Creator of worlds; and that he, holding the keys of the government of other worlds could, in his administrations to them, select the translated people of Enoch's Zion, if he thought proper, to perform a mission to these various planets, and as death had not passed upon them, they could be prepared by him and made use of through the medium of the holy priesthood to act as ambassadors, teachers, or messengers to those worlds over which Jesus holds the authority ... It is recorded that to Jesus has been given all power in heaven and in earth, and ... he evidently had power which he used to commission the citizens of the Zion of Enoch to go to other worlds on missions.” (The Gospel Kingdom (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1998), 103)
"And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom;" (D&C 105:5).
Brigham Young taught: "When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family" (History of the Church, 4:537).
Teaching Thoughts:
Like Enoch, we can:
- Exercise faith in Christ
- •Speak the words of God
- •Speak by the power of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 32:3)
- •Trust that the Holy Ghost will carry the message unto the hearts of those who will hear (see 2 Nephi 33:1)
Sister Carol F. McConkie: “When young women speak the words of Christ by the Spirit, their words can have power to help others feel the love of God, strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, and find answers to their questions. Their words bless others with enlightening, ennobling, and uplifting influence. Perhaps the most important words they speak will be to invite others to come unto Christ and find peace and joy in the blessings of His gospel. Young women can stand up and speak out in defense of true principles with loving kindness when they speak the words of Christ.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/sister-mcconkie-the-words-we-speak?lang=eng)
One cannot become a chosen person unless she/he has first made the choice.
Discussion questions:
- Is individuality taken away in Zion?
- How is service administered in Zion?
- How do members of a Zion society view one another?
- How is repentance viewed in Zion?
- Do people work in Zion? How?
- What is consecration?
- What can I do to have Zion in my home?
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Sacrifice, the willingness to sacrifice for this the Lord’s work - and inherent in that law of sacrifice is the very essence of the Atonement, the ultimate sacrifice made by the Son of God in behalf of each of us.
“Consecration, which is associated with it, a willingness to give everything, if need be, to help in the on-rolling of this great work. And a covenant of love and loyalty one to another in the bonds of marriage, fidelity, chastity, morality.
“If our people could only learn to live by these covenants, everything else would take care of itself, I am satisfied. We would not have to worry about sacrament meeting attendance. We would not have to worry about willingness to serve missions. We would not have to worry about divorce and the many requests for cancellation of temple sealings. We would not have to worry about any of those things. (Meeting with General Authorities and Wives, April 10, 1996)
President Henry B. Eyring: “The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, said of those who would be part of His Church: ‘Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine’ (D&C 38:27) …
“Our Heavenly Father wants our hearts to be knit together. That union in love is not simply an ideal. It is a necessity. . . .(in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 85–86; or Ensign, May 1998, 66).
President Spencer W. Kimball: "We must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind.
“We must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions.
“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." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 363-364)
President Joseph F. Smith: "When I am ready to say, 'Father, all that I have, myself included, is Thine; my time, my substance, everything that I possess is on the altar, to be used freely, agreeable to Thy holy will, and not my will, but Thine, be done,' then perhaps I will be prepared to go and help to redeem Zion." (quoted in The Doctrine & Covenants Speaks, 2:299-300)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "In Enoch's day the Lord gathered together all the righteous and they with Enoch were taken from the earth, and later before the flood if any repented and accepted the truth they too were caught up to the people of Enoch, so that when the time came to cleanse the earth with water, only Noah and his family remained of the righteous, and they were left that the race of mankind might be perpetuated after the flood. This we learn from the record we have obtained. The flood was nothing more nor less than the cleansing of the earth by baptism.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Signs of The Times, p. 7)
Brigham Young: “Enoch had to talk with and teach his people during a period of three hundred and sixty years, before he could get them prepared to enter into their rest, and then he obtained power to translate himself and his people.” (see Moses 7:68, Journal of Discourses, 3:320)
Joseph Fielding Smith: “This (vs. 36) is a terrible arraignment against the inhabitants of this earth. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus Christ was sent here instead of to some other world, for in some other world they would not have crucified Him, and His presence was needed here because of the extreme wickedness of the inhabitants of this earth.” (Signs of the Times, 1943, p. 12; 1963, p. 10)
The Earth will:
- Die (Isaiah 51:6; D&C 45:22; 88:26)
- Be "quickened again" (D&C 88:25 26).
- Be rolled back into the presence of God," and "crowned with celestial glory" (TPJS, p. 181; cf. WJS, p. 60).
- Fulfill his promise "that bodies who are of the Celestial Kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified" (D&C 88:20).
President Joseph Smith: “And now, I ask, how righteousness and truth are going to sweep the earth as with a flood? I will answer. Men and angels are to be co-workers in bringing to pass this great work, and Zion is to be prepared, even a new Jerusalem, for the elect that are to be gathered from the four quarters of the earth, and to be established an holy city” (History of the Church, 2:260)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Enoch, whose mortal ministry preceded by five thousand years the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, saw in vision both the Second Coming and the coming forth of the volume of holy scripture that would prepare the way for that glorious day. To him the Lord said: (read vs. 62). The Book of Mormon shall come forth from American soil, from plates buried in Cumorah, from the soil that supported the people of whom it speaks. The Book of Mormon shall come forth containing the word of the gospel which will unite with the power of the gospel that comes down from heaven. The Book of Mormon shall come forth to testify of Christ and His resurrection and the resurrection of all men. It was to be the Lord's way of bringing to light anew His saving truths.” (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 150-51)
Zion served to provide a refuge from the world and create a righteous society for Christ to return to. Once they were translated, the former inhabitants of Enoch and Melchizedek’s cities received a new calling. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “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 fullness, but his is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets.” (TPJS, p. 170.)
John Taylor: “It would appear that the translated residents of Enoch's city are under the direction of Jesus, who is the Creator of worlds; and that he, holding the keys of the government of other worlds could, in his administrations to them, select the translated people of Enoch's Zion, if he thought proper, to perform a mission to these various planets, and as death had not passed upon them, they could be prepared by him and made use of through the medium of the holy priesthood to act as ambassadors, teachers, or messengers to those worlds over which Jesus holds the authority ... It is recorded that to Jesus has been given all power in heaven and in earth, and ... he evidently had power which he used to commission the citizens of the Zion of Enoch to go to other worlds on missions.” (The Gospel Kingdom (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1998), 103)
"And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom;" (D&C 105:5).
Brigham Young taught: "When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family" (History of the Church, 4:537).
Teaching Thoughts:
- Zion “commences in the heart of each person.” How will this work continue in your life this week?
- What can I do to have Zion in my home?
- Place quotes on principles of building Zion on a paper, on walls, and/or have students search in gospel library. Share with class.
- How can we help flood the earth with truth and righteousness? (see Moses 7:62)