The Power of the Old Testament: Enoch

Enoch

Genesis 5 & Moses 6-7

Enoch was the 4^th great grandson of Adam. (Adam would have been about 620 years old when Enoch was born. Adam died at the age of 930).

Enoch was called to be a prophet, a missionary, and a reformer. Enoch’s ministry was to preach and call to repentance the line and the cult of Cain and the many followers. The people were sensual, devilish, and violent. Enoch preached repentance and those that believed became the ‘sons of God.”

Those that followed Enoch segregated themselves from the wicked brethren and made a new home called “Cainan.” In this new home they built up a righteous community called ‘Zion,’ which meant ‘the pure in heart.’ In this community all were righteous, all were of one mind and one heart, and there were no poor among them.

Eventually the community became so righteous that ---- “And Enoch and all of 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.” (Moses 7:69)

And in Hebrews 11:5 we find: “By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

We can learn a lot from the story of Enoch. It is an excellent example of what can happen to you and I when we put our trust in the Lord and when we obey his commandments and his prophets.

· Moses 6:31 – we learn that Enoch was very humble. “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?”

Even though he felt inadequate, he humbled himself before the Lord and did what the Lord ask of him.

· The Lord will be with us and give us strength when we do what he asks of us.

And the Lord blessed him. “…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.” (Moses 6:32). And the Lord did bless him:

Moses 6:35-36 – “And the Lord spake unto Enoch, and said unto him; Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them….and he beheld the spirits that God had created, and he beheld also things which were not visible to the natural eye.”

Moses 6:39 – “…when they heard him, no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God.”

Moses 6:47 – “…Enoch spake forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand in his presence.”

· What we need to do to become a Zion people.

o Believe in Christ

o Repent

o Be baptized by the proper authority in the name of Christ

o Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

o Have love in our hearts

o Obey God’s commandments

o Follow the prophet

o Follow the guidance of the Spirit

o Endure to the end

Principles

When the Lord calls you to teach gospel truths he will give you special knowledge, power, and insight so you can fulfill your calling. (Moses 6)

We can overcome the effects of the Fall by being ‘born again.’ By listening to the prophets, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, obeying the commandments, and doing what the Lord asks us to do. (Moses 6)

The Lord will call us a Zion people when we live together in righteousness, are of one heart and mind (unity), and we take care of the poor. (Moses 7)

BYUI Education Series