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Church

One Heart and One Mind: Welcoming New Church Members

In Enoch’s city, there were “no poor.” Everyone was valued as a contributing member of the community, regardless of background or capabilities. Members of the Savior’s church are invited to follow their example, welcoming new church members with a spirit of unity and love.

Words

Enoch and the Power of Words

For a self-described slow speaker, Enoch became an extraordinary orator. He prophesied, and he performed miracles by commanding the elements. Words externalize our thoughts, representing commitment and therefore evidencing our faith. Maybe that’s why Jesus promised that if we have faith, we can move mountains with our words.

Holiness

Their Love Can Sanctify

We do many things to show our devotion to God, but we must remember that these actions represents an invitation for God to bless us, an opening of our hearts to receive His sanctifying power. We seek for holiness, but only He can make us holy.

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COME, FOLLOW ME

  • The Lord Called His People Zion

    City of Zion Translated, by Del Parson

    Enoch was an extraordinary prophet. In spite of his misgivings about his qualifications, he rose to the challenge, persuaded many people to repent and turn their hearts to God, led them to miraculous victory in battle, and established an ideal city characterized by unity, righteousness, and charity. The city was so good that it was taken up to heaven to be with God. God revealed to Enoch that in our day, a similar city will be built, called the New Jerusalem. At the Savior’s Second Coming, he and his city will come back to earth to unite with the inhabitants of that city. (See Moses 7:62-63.)

    Moses 7 tells the story of Enoch’s city and describes two visions he saw. Here’s an outline of the chapter:

    1. Vision #1 – Enoch sees God, prophesies of war, and is commanded to preach repentance and baptism (v. 1-11)
    2. City of Zion established – Enoch performs miracles and establishes a city of holiness called Zion (v. 12-19)
    3. Vision #2 – Enoch sees future events, from the translation of his city to the end of the earth (v. 20-67)
      • Zion and the righteous are taken up to heaven (v. 20-27)
      • God weeps at the cruelty of those who remain (v. 28-41)
      • Noah and his family are saved from the subsequent flood (v. 42-43)
      • The ministry and atonement of Jesus Christ (v. 44-57)
      • The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world (v. 58-67)
    4. Zion taken up to heaven (v. 68-69)

    As we study this chapter, let’s look for characteristics and decisions of Enoch which made him successful in building Zion. Let’s see what we can learn from him to help us build a similar society, in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

FEATURED POSTS

  • A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this “abridgment” of their history. Here’s a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.

  • Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Following His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ visited a group of people in the Americas. He taught them principles to help them deepen their discipleship, and He expanded their perspective by teaching them about God’s global, multigenerational work.

  • Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    In March, 2019, I studied 20 different names or titles of Jesus Christ which appear in the Book of Mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible.