Wait with patient hope

We’ve just come out of the pages of Genesis 5, Moses 6 & 7 from our Come Follow Me study. In this study we’ve learned of the prophet Enoch and his visions. I thought this would be the perfect time to share what I have gleaned from Enoch.

In November of 2020, the pandemic was raging and society was so contentious over the election. It doesn’t feel like it’s really changed much today. Social media became for me a dumpster fire of lies, deceit, bearing false witness, digging a pit for our neighbors, mocking and de-humanizing others. I observed behaviors, biases and hatred that horrified me in people whom I had known for years and thought I knew well as well as in leaders. I felt so discouraged. It felt felt SO far from Zion. I longed for peace and non-contention among my sphere near and far. I turned to the scriptures, to the Lord in prayer, and to our prophet President Nelson as well as prophets of the past and asked what I needed to understand and how I could best preserve and care for my family. How could I help to establish Zion? What were Enoch’s people like? Is there anything else I should know about Enoch’s vision of the latter days before Christ’s return from Moses 7? Seeing people I respect, especially those in leadership positions reveal their biases and make errors, I took this as a call to do a gut check.

From the scriptures, there are a few things we know about Enoch’s Zion people. Firstly, there are no -ites in Zion. There is no classism, racism, elitism, ableism, ageism, et al because there is no “othering”. There is no more “us vs. them” because we are ALL us. We are ALL them.

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.
-Moses 7:18

So, the gut check. Are we coming out of the world? Are we coming out of our echo chambers of the people we are surrounded by, the groups we belong to, the media we consume? Are we growing out of our natural man’s need to judge, classify, conquer, control and categorize, rather than growing up unto the Lord by learning, listening, and practicing charity and compassion?

Are we resisting the natural man’s urge to gaslight, placate, dominate and center ourselves? Are we instead, truly following the Savior by listening, validating, learning and de-centering?

Right now, I see us as a church people as well as a global people still stuck in the pride cycle. We are divided into classes. The gulf between the poor and the wealthy ever grows. Hearts get broken over “mic drops”, “hot takes” and our own narrow convictions. We love things of the world more than we love each other.

Firstly, The Lord answered me in my personal prayers: (*n.b. some has been omitted because they were personal details to my life at the time)

11/15/2020

My dearest daughter,

You cannot control the world. You cannot control the unrest, the tensions, the strife and the contradictions. These are but the labor pains of an Earth readying to receive her King. As long as your heart is meek, willing, and seeks the right, you shall be preserved. Do not hold yourself apart from my peace by scrolling social media and focusing too much on the commotion of the world. Love your family. Serve them and your friends. Seek for what brings you joy. Rest. Seek for the things which are eternal- my gospel, your family, the values of service and love.

You must remember that I am at the helm. I am aware of all that is happening in the world, as well as your personal struggles, needs, and the desires of your heart. I have never, nor will I ever, fail you.

Take refuge in me. I am your Counselor, your Savior and your Redeemer. I love you beyond a love you have ever known. Cling to mine arm- it is continually stretched out before thee.

In the second half of November of 2020, I felt prompted to read The Book of Enoch from the Apocrypha. Even though the book is not in our latter day canon, I believe this book contains much wisdom.

Here are the pearls that I have gathered from my study. Below is Enoch’s advice to his son, Methuselah- it echoes what the Lord answered to me. I find myself referring back to it again and again.

Enoch, Chapter XC

4 My beloved, be attached to integrity, and walk in it.

5 Approach not integrity with a double heart; nor be associated with double-minded men: but walk, my children, in righteousness, which will conduct you in good paths; and be truth your companion.

Chapter XCI

2 Let not your spirit be grieved on account of the times; for the Holy, the Great One, has prescribed a period to all.

Chapter XCVIII

9 But in those days blessed shall they be to whom the word of wisdom is delivered; who point out and pursue the path of the Most High; who walk in the way of righteousness and who act not impiously with the impious.

10 They shall be saved

Chapter CVV

3 Wait with patient hope; nor relinquish your confidence; for great joy shall be yours, like that of the angels in heaven.

4 And now fear not, ye righteous, when you see sinners flourishing and prosperous in their ways.

5 Be not associates with them; but keep yourselves at a distance from their oppression; be you associated with the host of heaven.

These verses are another gut check for me. Am I staying attached to integrity and walking in it? Am I being double hearted or hypocritical in any way? Am I keeping myself at a distance from things that promote oppression? Am I keeping the commandments and my covenants? Am I surrounding myself with people who exhibit the qualities that the Lord values? Can I discern and then release the relationships with those who don’t with love and non-judgment?

Enoch goes on to prophecy concerning these latter days- tell me what you think he is referring to here:

Chapter CVV

10 Another great mystery also I point out. To the righteous and the wise shall be given books of joy, of integrity, and of great wisdom. To them shall books be given, in which they shall believe;

11 And in which they shall rejoice. And all the righteous shall be rewarded, who from these shall acquire a knowledge of every upright path.

My impression is that he is referring to sacred texts such as the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible, Torah, Qu’ran, et al), the New Testament, and The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price.

In 2017, in the early days before my baptism and just after, friends and family would ask me, “Why the Mormon church?” My answer was always the same. “The Bible teaches us the commandments and to be like Christ. The Book of Mormon shows us how and why.” This was an oversimplified response of course- because I also meant Doctrine & Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price as well as the covenants that we make and the Priesthood power we receive as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

As a new convert, I didn’t understand then that it wasn’t just the text from the scriptures that was providing knowledge and insight into how to pursue the path of the Most High- it was the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred at my baptism.

We, as covenant Israel DO acquire a knowledge of every upright path and we DO rejoice in this. We also have had the word of wisdom delivered to us (Chapter XCVIII 9- did you catch it??) It is our Covenants, the Priesthood, and obtaining the Holy Spirit that make all of the difference in our understanding and practice of walking the path of the Most High.

Baptism is not simply a formality or a requirement for church membership, it is a sacred ordinance and covenant with God that has a profound impact in our daily lives- especially during times of collective trial such as wars, rumors of wars, pandemics, famine, disasters and calamities, social unrest, etc. Covenants are not “rules”- they are sacred two-way promises that we make with God.

I truly believe that the covenants we make are how we take refuge in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Having access to customized guidance from The Holy One of Israel during times of darkness and deception is absolutely crucial and essential to our spiritual survival. I have such a testimony of this, as I had walked in the world for 35 years before receiving The Holy Ghost- these ordinances and the Priesthood are real, tangible and have immeasurable power to do good in our lives and in the lives of those surrounding us. I have felt my covenants to be a life raft in the whirlwind that the world has become.

I am so thankful for Jesus Christ, for prophets, seers, and revelators of yesterday and today. I am so thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the covenant path. This is what allows me to “wait with patient hope, nor relinquish [my] confidence” (Enoch, Chapter CVV: 3) I look forward with joy to the day of our Savior’s return, when we shall be a Zion people once again. Until then, I will take refuge and shelter in all that keeps the spirit close and brings the power of The Atonement into my life. I have hope for us to become a Zion people- but that hope will only be proven through our true discipleship. We had the courage to enter into mortality. Do we have the courage to now Become like Christ? I hope we do. It’s the only way.

Read Moses 6: 26-37 & 7: 1-21, The Book of Enoch President Nelson’s April 2018 Conference Talk “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, Mosiah 12: 21-25

Recall When has revelation from our Prophet as well as personal revelation guided you through a turbulent time in the world as well as in your individual life?

Reflect What are some of the attributes that Christ has revealed about Himself through these experiences and personal revelations?

Reclaim Seek and look for moments of quiet to make space to hear the whisperings and guidance of the spirit. Note in your journal times that you feel you can hear Him more clearly (is it outside on a nature walk? alone in your closet? etc) Seek to make these things part of your daily/weekly life.