Pearl of Great Price - Moses 7:16-47 - January 29, 2022

 1/29/2022 - Moses 7:16-47

I didn’t realize I was repeating Moses 6 until I was finished with it the 2nd time. But what was beautiful to me is that studying the same scriptures a second time simply brought more thoughts and understanding and desires to be sure to return to my Father in Heaven….to finish my earthly life with the same goals that I started it. I LOVE studying the scriptures!

There were now so many people on earth who had chosen not to follow the ways of the Lord. V 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.”  V 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.” V 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.”  Zion was established during times of war and times where evil abounded—that’s so good for us to know as we live in a world where evil does still abound. 

We learn in v 21 that “Zion, in the process of time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Behold mine abode forever.” This happened when there was also much evil in the world, but Enoch and his followers organized themselves, kept the Lord’s commandments, loved one another until they no longer needed this earthly school—for they  had learned and accomplished what we came here to learn and accomplish. 

But back on earth Satan reigned and “it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.” (v 26) And then in v 27 we learn that the Lord sent “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.” But when the Lord looked down “upon the residue of the people, and he wept;”. As a parent, I have a small understanding of the sorrow He felt. I love all of my children with the deepest feelings I have. They are good and wonderful citizens of the world, but so many of them have turned from the gospel and from so many of the reasons why we are here on the earth. 

V’s 30-31 speak of some of the qualities of the Lord: “…thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou are there, and they bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever; …and night by peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end…”

V 33 contains much of the Lord’s plans for us during our earthly education: “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…” Then in v 39, he reminds us all by speaking of Christ’s mission to the earth: “Wherefore, he suffereth for their sins; inasmuch as they will repent in the day that my Chosen shall return unto me…”

Starting in v 42 Enoch sees Noah and his family…the only ones that are saved from the great flood that covered the earth, and “he had bitterness of soul, and wept over his brethren, and said unto the heavens: I will refuse to be comforted; but the Lord said unto Enoch: Lift up your heart, and be glad; and look.” (v 44) During our most difficult times, the Lord teaches us to have compassion, not discouragement, and to be aware and thankful for the blessings in our lives.

In v 47 “…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.“ That is what we are working to achieve!