Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events
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Because of their righteousness, Enoch, the people of his city, and other righteous people after Enoch’s day were taken into heaven (“translated”) without suffering physical death (see Moses 7:21, 27; JST, Genesis 14:26–34; see also Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; D&C 107:48–49; Moses 7:67–69).
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Satan and his angels laugh and rejoice over the wickedness of God’s children (see Moses 7:26; see also 3 Nephi 9:2; Moses 5:19–21).
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God has emotions; He weeps in sorrow and His anger is kindled when His children do not obey Him (see Moses 7:28–37; see also Judges 2:12; Isaiah 53:3; 63:7–10; D&C 63:32–33).
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The “throne” of God (where He dwells) is a place of peace, justice, truth, and mercy (see Moses 7:31).
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At death, the wicked go to a prison in the spirit world where they must wait in torment. After His death, Christ went to the spirit world to prepare the way for the wicked to repent and receive the gospel (see Moses 7:37–40; see also 1 Peter 3:18–20; D&C 138:36–37).
Suggestions for Teaching
Moses 7:21–27. Translation
Read aloud Moses 7:21, 27, 69. Tell students that in verse 69 Enoch and his people were “translated.” This also happened to Melchizedek (see JST, Genesis 14:26–34), Moses (see Deuteronomy 34:6; Alma 45:18–19), Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:11), John the Beloved (see D&C 7:1–3), Alma (see Alma 45:19), and three of the Nephite disciples (see 3 Nephi 28:6–8). Review the commentary for Moses 7:21in the student manual (p. 22), and discuss with students the purposes of translation.
Moses 7:26. Satan and His Angels
Ask students to give reasons why people do what Satan wants them to do. Have them read Moses 7:26and 3 Nephi 9:2and discuss how Satan and his angels react when we sin. Compare this to the Lord’s reaction in Moses 7:28–33.
Moses 7:28–41. The God of Heaven Wept
Invite students to think about the last time they cried. Then have students study Moses 7:28–31and find reasons why Enoch was puzzled when he saw that God wept. Ask: What reasons did God give in verses 32–40 for the heavens weeping? According to verses 41, 44, how did Enoch feel after he understood the Lord’s answer? Ask students what these verses teach about the Lord.
Moses 7:38–40. A Prison
Ask students to compare what happened to the people in Enoch’s day who chose to follow God (see Moses 7:27) to those who chose to follow Satan (see Moses 7:34, 38–39). Ask students what they think life in prison is like. Read and discuss the following scriptures that describe what life is like in the spirit world: Alma 40:11–14; Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–23, 50, 57.
