February 2-8: Moses 7

Written By Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

"The Lord Called His People Zion"

Linda Etherington (American, born 1969)
How Is It Thou Canst Weep? (2010)
Oil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
Private collection
Used with permission of the artist

In her April 2018 General Conference sermon, Sister Reyna I. Aburto spoke of Zion-like purpose: "Girls and boys, young women and young men, sisters and brothers, we are on this journey together. In order to reach our sublime destiny, we need each other, and we need to be unified. The Lord has commanded us, 'Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.'" She continued, "Every one of our paths is different, yet we walk them together. Our path is not about what we have done or where we have been; it is about where we are going and what we are becoming, in unity." ("With One Accord," General Conference, April 2018.)

What does it mean to be a Zion people? In such a combative society today, how is it possible to be of one heart and one mind and dwell together in righteousness? A first step, in part, must come from a place of empathy. God Himself showed the way. In his vision as detailed in Moses chapter 7 (and illustrated in a painting by Linda Etherington), Enoch sees a touching aspect of God in the Book of Moses: “And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?” (Moses 7:28). Enoch found it difficult to comprehend that the eternal and omnipotent being could react so emotionally. In response, the Lord answered with a litany of ways that His creations disappoint and how their wickedness and suffering affects Him. After being shown the “doings of the children of men,” Enoch also saw their wickedness and misery, and he wept, too (see Moses 7:41).

Gospel Questions

1. In describing Zion, we are told (a) they were unified ("of one heart and one mind"), (b) were righteous; and (c) had "no poor among them" (Moses 7:18). Why are each of these defining characteristics of the Lord's people? What can you do to help establish a Zion feeling in your family? In your ward? In your community?

2. Jesus explains that He will come again to the earth "in the days of wickedness and vengeance" (Moses 7:60). How are wickedness and vengeance companions? Jesus explains that before He comes again, "righteousness and truth" will "sweep the earth as with a flood" (Moses 7:62). How are righteousness and truth companions?

3. Jesus speaks of a righteousness coming down from heaven and a gathering of His elect that "my people may gird up their loins" in anticipation of His coming (Moses 7:62). What can you do to gird up your loins in this hopeful anticipation?

For Children and Youth

Hi. In the story of Moses, Enoch learns something surprising about God: God feels sad when His children are hurting. When Enoch sees how people are suffering, he feels sad too, and they weep together. God teaches us that loving others means caring about how they feel.

1. How can you show kindness or care when you see someone else feeling sad or left out?

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Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
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