The City of Enoch Contains Women and Children

The city of Enoch, which was taken up into heaven, was founded upon eternal principles. As Latter-day Saints, we know that when Paul said: "neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord" (1Cor.11:11) that he meant this is the pattern for all of God's creation.

Therefore, according to the word of the Lord, there must have been women. And if women, then children. No doubt it was/is an environment similar to how life will be during the millennium - "And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation." (D&C 45:58)

This realization - that there is a city that was 300 years in the making, that was full of all variety of peoples, and has grown for these several thousand years, is quite interesting. No doubt the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. knew this when he met Enoch and thereafter did everything in his power to establish a people worthy of their association and the fulfillment of the everlasting covenant.

Even Elder Maxwell appears to have contemplated this dynamic as well, and went so far as to write a fictional book about it. I found the dedication of his book "Of One Heart" (Deseret, 1975) to be very enlightening:

"To Enoch, whose faith moved not only mountains, but, more importantly, men; and to his successful people for showing us that it can be done: that lapsed righteousness is not inevitable and that near-celestial culture can be transmitted from generation to generation; and with anticipation of that remarkable rendezvous when this prophet and his people return."

In Elder Maxwell's introduction, he goes on to cite that most intimate verse, which portrays so well the anticipation with which those in Enoch's city have for us. But, do we as a people share that anticipation for them? Please read the following verse.

(Moses 7:63)

"And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;"

Right now, as it stands, Mormons as a people are not looking forth for this magnificent rendevous, but are still waiting for the brethren in Salt Lake City to give permission for them to return to Indepdence, Missouri. But the Lord has said we are not going back to Missouri and the Lord Jesus Christ will be coming to the Latter-day Saints while they are in the Rocky Mountains.

Latter-day Saints should anxiously be preparing to live in Enoch's holy city and in living in United Order type communities now in fulfillment of the Everlasting Covenant of Enoch.