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The Enoch Letters
In the tradition of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis comes this fascinating work of historical fiction from the mind of Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Readers of the scriptures have long marveled at the account of the city of Enoch and its translation. What was their society like? Suppose ancient records had been kept and were made available to us today. What lessons might they contain? Elder Neal A. Maxwell tells the story of Enoch's ministry and the glory of his Christ-centered society through the eyes of a man called Mahijah, who urges his friend Omner to move to Zion before it's too late. Mahijah's imaginary letters provide a vivid portrayal of life in the city of Enoch, whose inhabitants the Lord called Zion, "because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness." (Moses 7:18)(Previously published under the title Of One Heart.)
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1975
39 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Neal A. Maxwell
89 books154 followersNeal A. Maxwell was well known as an Apostle, author, administrator, and educator. A graduate of the University of Utah, he was the Commissioner of Education for the Church Educational System for six years. He also held a variety of administrative and teaching positions at the University of Utah, including that of executive vice-president.
In 1974 Elder Maxwell was called as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. From 1976 to 1981 he served as member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and in 1981 was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Maxwell has written numerous books on Latter-day Saint themes, including "If Thou Endure It Well"; "Lord, Increase Our Faith"; "That Ye May Believe"; and "Not My Will, But Thine". He and his wife, Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, had four children.
Elder Maxwell died July 21, 2004.
In 1974 Elder Maxwell was called as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. From 1976 to 1981 he served as member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and in 1981 was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Maxwell has written numerous books on Latter-day Saint themes, including "If Thou Endure It Well"; "Lord, Increase Our Faith"; "That Ye May Believe"; and "Not My Will, But Thine". He and his wife, Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, had four children.
Elder Maxwell died July 21, 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
February 18, 2019
I highly recommend this book. Elder Maxwell reinforces one of my favorite ideas that, “Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.” (N.T. Wright)
An example of the Maxwellisms in this book, “Even something as small as a man’s thumb, when held very near the eye, can blind him to the very large sun. Yet the sun is still there. Blindness is brought upon the man by himself. When we draw other things too close, placing them first, we obscure our vision of heaven.”
I believe Zion will only be established as fast as we are willing to implement Christ’s teachings and act on the spiritual promptings we receive.
An example of the Maxwellisms in this book, “Even something as small as a man’s thumb, when held very near the eye, can blind him to the very large sun. Yet the sun is still there. Blindness is brought upon the man by himself. When we draw other things too close, placing them first, we obscure our vision of heaven.”
I believe Zion will only be established as fast as we are willing to implement Christ’s teachings and act on the spiritual promptings we receive.
August 14, 2019
A quick read that nevertheless packs an impressive collection of doctrinal truths in its unique letter format.
Every time I read anything by Elder Maxwell, I end up needing to pause throughout, sometimes mid-sentence, to ponder the profound idea he has presented, or to marvel at his masterful use of the English language.
Every time I read anything by Elder Maxwell, I end up needing to pause throughout, sometimes mid-sentence, to ponder the profound idea he has presented, or to marvel at his masterful use of the English language.
January 10, 2018
Another audiobook and quick listen as I was driving kids to school and running errands. I love Neal A. Maxwell's words. Such a great speaker. Very gentle and loving. I grew up listening to him speak a couple times a year and always loved his messages. For those of you who have read an enjoyed The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, this is written in a very similar fashion. To be honest, I tried reading the Screwtape Letters. I just couldn't do it. I don't think it was about the book itself, I think it was I had so much going on at the time that my brain couldn't sit and contemplate and focus on what I was reading. I set it aside planning to pick it up again and finish it...it didn't happen. Still one of those books that's on my to read list but I don't know if I'll ever finish it. This book is based on Enoch and the City of Enoch, and will probably appeal more to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Although, that being said, I think it actually would appeal to many readers who enjoyed The Screwtape Letters, people of the LDS faith of not.
The Enoch Letters are fictional letters based on two fictional characters who lived not too long after the time of Adam. There really is only one main writer and he is writing to his friend Omner, telling him about this person Enoch who is going around teaching and telling the people to repent. The letter writer talks about the differences of character for those who end up believing on Enoch's words about Christ. Their character before and after and the large effect of the change from doing things of the world, being prideful, to being disciples of Christ and the change of their countenance and actions to those of good and righteous people. How a whole city was transformed in following the teachings of Christ and all within that city were loving and good and righteous.
It was interesting to hear it in letter form/story form and to think more about what life was like that many (many) years ago. To think about Adam's posterity and the choices made.
I can read the books faster than what a narrator does at normal dubbing speed, so I switch the speed to the highest possible speed and finished this book in just over an hour of listening. It is normally just over a couple hours but still a shorter listen than most. Enjoyable short book, engaging format, and can be completed in just a short amount of time.
Content: Clean. The book is based on drawing closer to Christ and becoming His disciple so definitely a Religious book.
I listened to a copy from Deseret Bookshelf.
Happy Reading!!!
The Enoch Letters are fictional letters based on two fictional characters who lived not too long after the time of Adam. There really is only one main writer and he is writing to his friend Omner, telling him about this person Enoch who is going around teaching and telling the people to repent. The letter writer talks about the differences of character for those who end up believing on Enoch's words about Christ. Their character before and after and the large effect of the change from doing things of the world, being prideful, to being disciples of Christ and the change of their countenance and actions to those of good and righteous people. How a whole city was transformed in following the teachings of Christ and all within that city were loving and good and righteous.
It was interesting to hear it in letter form/story form and to think more about what life was like that many (many) years ago. To think about Adam's posterity and the choices made.
I can read the books faster than what a narrator does at normal dubbing speed, so I switch the speed to the highest possible speed and finished this book in just over an hour of listening. It is normally just over a couple hours but still a shorter listen than most. Enjoyable short book, engaging format, and can be completed in just a short amount of time.
Content: Clean. The book is based on drawing closer to Christ and becoming His disciple so definitely a Religious book.
I listened to a copy from Deseret Bookshelf.
Happy Reading!!!
August 13, 2023
I wish this book were 10 times, or even 100 times longer. Heck, I wish this book were long enough that I could spend my entire life reading it. And I plan to. I will reread this book many more times before I die. As much as any book I have ever read, this book 1) makes me want to be a better person, and 2) provides specific examples of how I can become a better person.
The fictional nature of this book lends itself to immaculate craftsmanship of important ideas relating to creating Zion on earth, and its historicity makes it consummately inspiring in that pursuit. I could spend a long time thinking (and writing) about how I (and we) can go about creating a literal Heaven on earth.
Here are my highlights:
- Our desires are an important litmus test for where we are at. They are a leading indicator of ultimate success in this life. “Those who do not actually enjoy the words of eternal life are seldom moved to do the earthly deeds that make eternal life possible.” Going through the motions of faith without regularly experiencing the joy and marvel therein is dissatisfying and insufficient.
- The world would have us believe that a desire to believe something can negate the legitimacy of that belief (e.g., “your desire to believe in Jesus is clouding your ability to see and think objectively”). That’s a great way to hamstring yourself - our desires can fuel our actions, and no actions are as valuable as those that serve to strengthen our beliefs. “Our mere desire to believe can then become belief. Our belief moves on to faith. Next, as we have personal experiences with the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our faith becomes knowledge in those things, and our witness is personal and powerful.”
- True goodness is contagious. “Can you imagine the love and affection a man feels when there are so many anxious to administer to his needs? At first we selfishly accept this love in awe and wonderment. Then we are soon caught up in a desire to deal likewise with our fellow-men.”
- There is power in looking in someone’s eyes, in truly seeing each other. “Of course, we feel the press of each other in a city of this size; one gets jostled in the crowd; but accepts such with good humor, rather than assuming malevolence on the part of another. At first we feel each other’s elbows, but soon we learn to look into each other’s eyes and into the radiant faces of those with whom we have made common cause.”
- Wealth has but one purpose - to bless others. “I now see that the act of divesting himself of those material things which otherwise set him apart from others is the final measure of a man. Those who have adequate for their own needs soon find that anything beyond that point is encumbering wealth—wealth that should be put to effective use in the care of those who have less.”
The fictional nature of this book lends itself to immaculate craftsmanship of important ideas relating to creating Zion on earth, and its historicity makes it consummately inspiring in that pursuit. I could spend a long time thinking (and writing) about how I (and we) can go about creating a literal Heaven on earth.
Here are my highlights:
- Our desires are an important litmus test for where we are at. They are a leading indicator of ultimate success in this life. “Those who do not actually enjoy the words of eternal life are seldom moved to do the earthly deeds that make eternal life possible.” Going through the motions of faith without regularly experiencing the joy and marvel therein is dissatisfying and insufficient.
- The world would have us believe that a desire to believe something can negate the legitimacy of that belief (e.g., “your desire to believe in Jesus is clouding your ability to see and think objectively”). That’s a great way to hamstring yourself - our desires can fuel our actions, and no actions are as valuable as those that serve to strengthen our beliefs. “Our mere desire to believe can then become belief. Our belief moves on to faith. Next, as we have personal experiences with the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our faith becomes knowledge in those things, and our witness is personal and powerful.”
- True goodness is contagious. “Can you imagine the love and affection a man feels when there are so many anxious to administer to his needs? At first we selfishly accept this love in awe and wonderment. Then we are soon caught up in a desire to deal likewise with our fellow-men.”
- There is power in looking in someone’s eyes, in truly seeing each other. “Of course, we feel the press of each other in a city of this size; one gets jostled in the crowd; but accepts such with good humor, rather than assuming malevolence on the part of another. At first we feel each other’s elbows, but soon we learn to look into each other’s eyes and into the radiant faces of those with whom we have made common cause.”
- Wealth has but one purpose - to bless others. “I now see that the act of divesting himself of those material things which otherwise set him apart from others is the final measure of a man. Those who have adequate for their own needs soon find that anything beyond that point is encumbering wealth—wealth that should be put to effective use in the care of those who have less.”
August 27, 2023
After my brother, Chris, left such a glowing review, I feel bad giving it three stars. It was good, just not great.
The book is a fictional account of the City of Enoch, written through a series of letters from one of its inhabitants to a correspondent outside the city. The obvious takeaway is how we can create a modern-day Zion in our present age.
Perhaps I came in with too high expectations because I've been wanting to read this for a while, but I didn't feel there were many super profound insights. It mostly reiterated things I already know and feel - mainly that the world will change for the better as individuals work to change their hearts, then their families, and finally their communities and that Jesus Christ makes that change possible.
I didn't feel like it detailed how that change could come about - Maxwell used the passage of time to show it happened but didn't get into how a person today might replicate the process other than saying we need to focus on others needs above worldly possessions and rely on Jesus Christ.
In my estimation, C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters (of which this book was very reminiscent) is a book that would better help you discover how to change your mind and heart.
The book is a fictional account of the City of Enoch, written through a series of letters from one of its inhabitants to a correspondent outside the city. The obvious takeaway is how we can create a modern-day Zion in our present age.
Perhaps I came in with too high expectations because I've been wanting to read this for a while, but I didn't feel there were many super profound insights. It mostly reiterated things I already know and feel - mainly that the world will change for the better as individuals work to change their hearts, then their families, and finally their communities and that Jesus Christ makes that change possible.
I didn't feel like it detailed how that change could come about - Maxwell used the passage of time to show it happened but didn't get into how a person today might replicate the process other than saying we need to focus on others needs above worldly possessions and rely on Jesus Christ.
In my estimation, C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters (of which this book was very reminiscent) is a book that would better help you discover how to change your mind and heart.
January 2, 2024
We have "The pickwick papers" from Dickens, "the screwtape letters " from C.S Lewis. And somehow Neal A. Maxwell has come into possession of "The enoch letters" . They were probably written on stone so that explains the brevity. I enjoyed reading the letters even though they lack the Humor that is present in the Pickwick and screwtape letters.
On the other there was not much wisdom in the "Pickwick" papers. The author was kind of a nut. C.S lewis was able to provide both wit and wisdom in his fictional letters. Mr Maxwell can not be blamed for his lack of wit in this collection since his is a mere translation. It does contain a lot of wisdom whether you are religious or not. I am glad I read them.
On the other there was not much wisdom in the "Pickwick" papers. The author was kind of a nut. C.S lewis was able to provide both wit and wisdom in his fictional letters. Mr Maxwell can not be blamed for his lack of wit in this collection since his is a mere translation. It does contain a lot of wisdom whether you are religious or not. I am glad I read them.
September 12, 2021
Great read! This short story written in letter form between two friends really gave an interesting perspective into what it must've been like in Enoch's day. I have always wondered how a people could become so righteous and completely unified; in other words becoming ZION. Neal A. Maxwell is a master story teller.
January 21, 2022
A wonderful short read to supplement my Old Testament study. One lesson I took away in this readying is to always ask, “Who am I serving?” Be wary of times when I am only serving my own pride.
August 21, 2018
A short book, written in letter form. Had a similar feel to the Screwtape Letters, which isn't surprising knowing how fond Elder Maxwell was of C.S. Lewis.
As a big fan of letter writing and of the scripture story about the city of Enoch, this book was right up my alley.
As a big fan of letter writing and of the scripture story about the city of Enoch, this book was right up my alley.
October 8, 2009
This wasn't a bad book, but I think my expectations were too high. I've always been a fan of Neal, and his style naturally comes through. Unfortunately, the content is generally scriptural phrases and Correlation-type ideas. There were a few choice passages and insights, but it was mostly cliche.
I was hoping for a Mormon Screwtape Letters, but I think part of the genius of that book was that the perspective was opposite almost all other religious writing. Neal flips that perspective one more time (a citizen of Zion writing to a skeptic of Enoch), and so we end up with the usual.
I was hoping for a Mormon Screwtape Letters, but I think part of the genius of that book was that the perspective was opposite almost all other religious writing. Neal flips that perspective one more time (a citizen of Zion writing to a skeptic of Enoch), and so we end up with the usual.
January 28, 2022
Oh man, this book is so fabulous!! At times it reads like I'm hearing Elder Maxwell's wisdom about the gospel is written directly to me in a letter. Every paragraph is powerful. So many sentences needed to be reread in order to relish in their beauty. I started keeping a list of the lines to copy into my journal but had to stop when I basically marked the entire book. I might go through it again and create a ton of memes out of the wise words therein. So, so good.
October 6, 2015
This was a cute little read I wanted to absorb in conjunction with my Sunday reading and leisure. The story felt like a beautiful blend of C.S. Lewis and Eli Wiesel. Though it is short and rudimentary in its principles, the story has a way of evoking new thoughts and deep insights. As many great stories do, this was able to conclude in a succinct and fulfilling way that wasn't overly predictable or annoyingly cliche.
August 29, 2008
The thing I enjoyed about this book is that it made me think about what it would really take to be a Zion people. It made me realize how far that I have to go, but I feel like it gave me some direction and it was motivating rather than discouraging.
July 17, 2012
Amazing! Elder Maxwell writes a fictional account in the form of letters describing the City of Enoch and how the people become purified over time. Although it is fictional, I think it has amazing insight on what is required to move towards perfection. This is one of my all time favorites.
November 12, 2008
I read this a couple years ago for a book club and enjoyed reading it. It was not what I expected it to be but a good book to read by an apostle of God.
February 25, 2021
I read this many years ago and picked it up again this week. This collection of letters reminds me a bit of Screwtape Letters on a much simpler level and just one-sided. A nice read.
July 7, 2010
Great book - quick read. I loved Elder Maxwell's creativity!
December 20, 2012
The best primer for not only understanding but feeling what it takes to become a Zion-type person.
September 25, 2016
This is a thought-provoking book by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He teaches about Enoch and the city of Zion that was taken up to heaven through fictional letters from someone who lived in the city to a friend outside. It's remarkable to think of a truly Christ-centered society that existed in a perilous world. There is much that we can learn from these people and how they lived. The principles they lived by should be our focus today, too. The principles taught are not fictional. They are real and enduring and can be found in Moses 6 and 7.
Reading this book helped me think about the reality of living in a truly Christlike society and the importance of building Zion. Nothing else should matter, but being of one heart and one mind, dwelling in righteousness, having no poor among us, and inviting others to come to Christ, too. :) The story of Enoch teaches us that it is possible in a wicked world, but almost believing is not enough. We must show today that we follow Christ and want to be among his people. We must love God and our neighbor.
Here are a few quotes I liked from the book:
"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 (p. v)."
"In our time of increasing perplexity among nations and individual despair, it is important to realize that thousands of people ages ago successfully applied the commandments of God and thereby had great and unparalleled happiness (p. x)."
"I confess that at first I found [Enoch] amusing and comical; now I wonder if he will obtain something of a following. The leaders of the people are beginning to be vexed by him. How can he assume to denounce our way of life and win our support? Does he know that to get along here he must go along with things as they are (p. 3)?"
"There is a gentleness about him, even a mildness and meekness in his bold denunciations. He truly sees himself as being on an errand for the Lord, whom he call our Savior to come (p. 6)."
"You and I have talked about the philosophies of men many times, observing how the philosophies of men seem to have no fixed reference points. Not so with Enoch. He perceives truth, and something called priesthood, as coming down to us in a straight line from Adam through patriarchs, some of whom live still. You can see why his views caused a stir here in my city, where so many spend their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new things (p. 6)."
"Many have hearkened to Enoch, but the common people seem to hear him most gladly. He seems to bring all men to God (p. 7)."
"By now I have had much time to associate with the followers of Enoch, who, incidentally, are speaking of forming a little colony that they think one day might become a city.... Their striking individuality seems to be heightened, not lessened, but their faith in Jesus Christ, who, they say, is the ultimate Redeemer to come. Their unity is not the conformity that you and I have seen imposed by the sword; it rests upon mutual esteem and mutual desires (p. 10)."
"[Enoch] believes in his people not only for what they are, but for what they have the power to become (p. 11)."
"If I do affiliate with Enoch and his followers, I am sure I will be a better friend of yours. Their love of their God seems to move these people to a greater love of their fellowmen, and Enoch is not only a preacher of righteousness, but also a performer of righteousness (p. 14)."
"While in the world men delight in the weakness of another, in this small city the strong seek to strengthen the feeble knees of their neighbor and to lift up his weary arms. Of a truth, those who can bend their knees in prayer do not feel they are stooping when they bend to help a neighbor in need (p. 18)."
"Men may run to and fro in search of another way, Omner, but there is none. Kings and rulers come and kings and rulers go, but Christ is constant. Other may teach truths, but not those truths which matter most.... Come, follow Christ to a land not only of milk and honey, but a land of liberty and love, a place of purpose and principles. Be no more a stranger (p. 20)!"
"Blindness is brought upon the man by himself. When we draw other things too close, placing them first, we obscure our vision of heaven (p. 24)."
"Our commerce must be the commerce of Christ, for the morals of the marketplace matter and do find their way into families.... We meet together often to hear the word of the Lord from each other, particularly from our leaders. We deem it a privilege when Enoch himself is able to speak to us. We engage in praying and in fasting to prepare ourselves to listen. But I would not have you think that our society is one in which there is no labor or work. We are kept busy with the chores of community life, but our minds are not allowed to away from our purposes. The simplicity of the doctrines and the rituals do not give us the excuse of complexity for failing (p. 26)."
"Can you imagine the love and affection a man feels when there are so many anxious to administer to his needs? At first we selfishly accept this love in awe and wonderment. Then we are soon caught up in a desire to deal likewise with our fellowmen (p. 27)."
"You may recall my description of Enoch in his first years as one who is not only humble, but shy. Now he is bold and yet without overbearance. I feel when his eyes fall upon me that they see through me as if I were transparent. Yet I do not sense in him a desire to judge me or to dominate me (p. 28)."
"Each of us finds a way for his talents to be so employed. I have already been asked, for instance, to act as a scribe in preparing many of the communications to go out from Enoch to his people, that the word of the Lord may be written as well as spoken. It is a rare privilege because it keeps me close to the teachings of our living prophet. Most of all, it gives me some occasional association with Enoch himself (p. 28)."
"You made a point in your communication of so many months ago: you asked why I could believe in anything so simple. You even chided me with the reminder that I was once a student of the philosophies and the affairs of men. In this you are correct. But by looking back, I see that I was always looking beyond the mark, missing the obvious things that are so plain and so precious. God, in his love for each of us, is determined to save all whom he can; he does not want the way back to his presence to be complicated. Intellectual embroidery is but an unreliable frill; the hardy and homely cloth of truth is to be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ (p. 37)."
"In this city we learn from each other, being taught much by our friends (p. 41)."
"We soon learn here that it is not enough to abstain from acts adverse to our fellowmen; we must also be anxiously engaged in good causes that lie unattended and all about us every day. At first perhaps one is almost too conscious of trying to help others and, therefore, his Christianity is too conspicuous and even condescending. It is a great joy to learn later how to help gladly and quietly and without acclaim (p. 43)."
"Righteousness increases the uniqueness of our presence, but sin sinks us into sameness. Where there is beauty of person and personality, there is the capacity to appreciate beauty in others (and in the world), but also a determination to add to the beauty of one's environment (p. 44)."
"We now see clearly, as pertaining to our goods and possessions, that unless we are equal in earthly things, we cannot be equal in heavenly things. We can have goods in common because we first have Christ in common (p. 49)."
"I have been so caught up in my duties and in the joy we have daily in association with each other that service to others has helped me to surrender my gems more easily. But finally, Omner, there has come the convincing and sober realization that they were not mine after all! It is easier to give up that which is not yours (p. 50)."
"You asked about the love that is here and whether it is real. Perhaps my descriptions of life here have been too casual. I would not have you believe that this great principle has been easy to live. It is usually easier for us to love those whom we should love most naturally--our parents, our children, our husband or wife. Yet in the world even that natural love is often twisted. Here in our city we have also been asked to love even when such love is not returned. Here we have needed to learn to love strangers, since we all came as strangers. Here we have been taught to love even those who were once, or would otherwise be, our enemies. It has been helpful for me, as I have struggled to enlarge my soul in love, to love God first--as much as I can--for he is perfect and because he loves us, and we therefore start by seeking to be like him. It is also helpful in the process of learning to love others more deeply to realize who others really are--our eternal brothers and sisters (p. 53)."
"The unity and oneness we have are facilitated by our having the gift of the Holy Ghost, for he encourages us in doing righteous things and also constrains us from manifesting our pride. This help is given in seemingly minor matters and also in truly weighty matters. Our experience here also teaches us to be patient with one another (p. 55)."
"Life here is life in a large, affectionate, and unified family. Love in a family does not diminish the freedom of each member thereof; our unity does not jeopardize our individuality. Undivided, we are multiplied.... Dissent is not present here (p. 55)."
"Prayer keeps us ever mindful of our dependence on God. It is so easy to forget our present blessings as we pursue new blessings. In our meetings we recount our own blessings, and as we hear the blessings of others, we both feel and see the accumulations of affection from God to his people (p. 56)."
"There is great efficiency when people band together in love and truth. They produce more in cooperation, and there is thus more to share (p. 61)."
"There is no fear in the City of Enoch. Men fear, Omner, only when there is not sufficient love in their hearts. Perfect love casts out fear, and he that fears is not made perfect in love. There is liberty in love. Only when men are not fearful can they be anxiously and fully engaged in bringing to pass much righteousness, turning outward instead of inward (p. 63)."
"I implore you to come and be one with us (p. 65)."
"Now I must tell you, Omner, of the great and special blessings that has come to us, because the Lord Jesus Christ himself has come and dwelt among us, his people. Long have we waited for this day! The Lord himself has called us, his people, Zion because we are of one heart and one mind as we dwell in righteousness, and because there are no poor among us in this City of Holiness. My faith in him is now knowledge. How I rejoice in the goodness of God to his children!.... There are other things approaching of which I am not privileged to speak, my friend Omner, but my love, concern, and prayers go out in your behalf. I fear lest you are almost persuaded to belief in Christ. But almost is not enough (p. 67)."
"'The people of the city of Enoch, because of their integrity and faithfulness, were as pilgrims and strangers on the earth. This is due to the fact that they were living the celestial law in a telestial world, and all were of one mind, perfectly obedient to all commandments of the Lord (Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 75).'"
"'We are trying to understand the Gospel as Enoch understood it and as Christ understood it, and to do business as they did it, living in co-operation and managing our affairs in the same way, but many of us are not willing to be taught in temporal matters (Franklin D. Richards, p. 77).'"
Reading this book helped me think about the reality of living in a truly Christlike society and the importance of building Zion. Nothing else should matter, but being of one heart and one mind, dwelling in righteousness, having no poor among us, and inviting others to come to Christ, too. :) The story of Enoch teaches us that it is possible in a wicked world, but almost believing is not enough. We must show today that we follow Christ and want to be among his people. We must love God and our neighbor.
Here are a few quotes I liked from the book:
"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 (p. v)."
"In our time of increasing perplexity among nations and individual despair, it is important to realize that thousands of people ages ago successfully applied the commandments of God and thereby had great and unparalleled happiness (p. x)."
"I confess that at first I found [Enoch] amusing and comical; now I wonder if he will obtain something of a following. The leaders of the people are beginning to be vexed by him. How can he assume to denounce our way of life and win our support? Does he know that to get along here he must go along with things as they are (p. 3)?"
"There is a gentleness about him, even a mildness and meekness in his bold denunciations. He truly sees himself as being on an errand for the Lord, whom he call our Savior to come (p. 6)."
"You and I have talked about the philosophies of men many times, observing how the philosophies of men seem to have no fixed reference points. Not so with Enoch. He perceives truth, and something called priesthood, as coming down to us in a straight line from Adam through patriarchs, some of whom live still. You can see why his views caused a stir here in my city, where so many spend their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new things (p. 6)."
"Many have hearkened to Enoch, but the common people seem to hear him most gladly. He seems to bring all men to God (p. 7)."
"By now I have had much time to associate with the followers of Enoch, who, incidentally, are speaking of forming a little colony that they think one day might become a city.... Their striking individuality seems to be heightened, not lessened, but their faith in Jesus Christ, who, they say, is the ultimate Redeemer to come. Their unity is not the conformity that you and I have seen imposed by the sword; it rests upon mutual esteem and mutual desires (p. 10)."
"[Enoch] believes in his people not only for what they are, but for what they have the power to become (p. 11)."
"If I do affiliate with Enoch and his followers, I am sure I will be a better friend of yours. Their love of their God seems to move these people to a greater love of their fellowmen, and Enoch is not only a preacher of righteousness, but also a performer of righteousness (p. 14)."
"While in the world men delight in the weakness of another, in this small city the strong seek to strengthen the feeble knees of their neighbor and to lift up his weary arms. Of a truth, those who can bend their knees in prayer do not feel they are stooping when they bend to help a neighbor in need (p. 18)."
"Men may run to and fro in search of another way, Omner, but there is none. Kings and rulers come and kings and rulers go, but Christ is constant. Other may teach truths, but not those truths which matter most.... Come, follow Christ to a land not only of milk and honey, but a land of liberty and love, a place of purpose and principles. Be no more a stranger (p. 20)!"
"Blindness is brought upon the man by himself. When we draw other things too close, placing them first, we obscure our vision of heaven (p. 24)."
"Our commerce must be the commerce of Christ, for the morals of the marketplace matter and do find their way into families.... We meet together often to hear the word of the Lord from each other, particularly from our leaders. We deem it a privilege when Enoch himself is able to speak to us. We engage in praying and in fasting to prepare ourselves to listen. But I would not have you think that our society is one in which there is no labor or work. We are kept busy with the chores of community life, but our minds are not allowed to away from our purposes. The simplicity of the doctrines and the rituals do not give us the excuse of complexity for failing (p. 26)."
"Can you imagine the love and affection a man feels when there are so many anxious to administer to his needs? At first we selfishly accept this love in awe and wonderment. Then we are soon caught up in a desire to deal likewise with our fellowmen (p. 27)."
"You may recall my description of Enoch in his first years as one who is not only humble, but shy. Now he is bold and yet without overbearance. I feel when his eyes fall upon me that they see through me as if I were transparent. Yet I do not sense in him a desire to judge me or to dominate me (p. 28)."
"Each of us finds a way for his talents to be so employed. I have already been asked, for instance, to act as a scribe in preparing many of the communications to go out from Enoch to his people, that the word of the Lord may be written as well as spoken. It is a rare privilege because it keeps me close to the teachings of our living prophet. Most of all, it gives me some occasional association with Enoch himself (p. 28)."
"You made a point in your communication of so many months ago: you asked why I could believe in anything so simple. You even chided me with the reminder that I was once a student of the philosophies and the affairs of men. In this you are correct. But by looking back, I see that I was always looking beyond the mark, missing the obvious things that are so plain and so precious. God, in his love for each of us, is determined to save all whom he can; he does not want the way back to his presence to be complicated. Intellectual embroidery is but an unreliable frill; the hardy and homely cloth of truth is to be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ (p. 37)."
"In this city we learn from each other, being taught much by our friends (p. 41)."
"We soon learn here that it is not enough to abstain from acts adverse to our fellowmen; we must also be anxiously engaged in good causes that lie unattended and all about us every day. At first perhaps one is almost too conscious of trying to help others and, therefore, his Christianity is too conspicuous and even condescending. It is a great joy to learn later how to help gladly and quietly and without acclaim (p. 43)."
"Righteousness increases the uniqueness of our presence, but sin sinks us into sameness. Where there is beauty of person and personality, there is the capacity to appreciate beauty in others (and in the world), but also a determination to add to the beauty of one's environment (p. 44)."
"We now see clearly, as pertaining to our goods and possessions, that unless we are equal in earthly things, we cannot be equal in heavenly things. We can have goods in common because we first have Christ in common (p. 49)."
"I have been so caught up in my duties and in the joy we have daily in association with each other that service to others has helped me to surrender my gems more easily. But finally, Omner, there has come the convincing and sober realization that they were not mine after all! It is easier to give up that which is not yours (p. 50)."
"You asked about the love that is here and whether it is real. Perhaps my descriptions of life here have been too casual. I would not have you believe that this great principle has been easy to live. It is usually easier for us to love those whom we should love most naturally--our parents, our children, our husband or wife. Yet in the world even that natural love is often twisted. Here in our city we have also been asked to love even when such love is not returned. Here we have needed to learn to love strangers, since we all came as strangers. Here we have been taught to love even those who were once, or would otherwise be, our enemies. It has been helpful for me, as I have struggled to enlarge my soul in love, to love God first--as much as I can--for he is perfect and because he loves us, and we therefore start by seeking to be like him. It is also helpful in the process of learning to love others more deeply to realize who others really are--our eternal brothers and sisters (p. 53)."
"The unity and oneness we have are facilitated by our having the gift of the Holy Ghost, for he encourages us in doing righteous things and also constrains us from manifesting our pride. This help is given in seemingly minor matters and also in truly weighty matters. Our experience here also teaches us to be patient with one another (p. 55)."
"Life here is life in a large, affectionate, and unified family. Love in a family does not diminish the freedom of each member thereof; our unity does not jeopardize our individuality. Undivided, we are multiplied.... Dissent is not present here (p. 55)."
"Prayer keeps us ever mindful of our dependence on God. It is so easy to forget our present blessings as we pursue new blessings. In our meetings we recount our own blessings, and as we hear the blessings of others, we both feel and see the accumulations of affection from God to his people (p. 56)."
"There is great efficiency when people band together in love and truth. They produce more in cooperation, and there is thus more to share (p. 61)."
"There is no fear in the City of Enoch. Men fear, Omner, only when there is not sufficient love in their hearts. Perfect love casts out fear, and he that fears is not made perfect in love. There is liberty in love. Only when men are not fearful can they be anxiously and fully engaged in bringing to pass much righteousness, turning outward instead of inward (p. 63)."
"I implore you to come and be one with us (p. 65)."
"Now I must tell you, Omner, of the great and special blessings that has come to us, because the Lord Jesus Christ himself has come and dwelt among us, his people. Long have we waited for this day! The Lord himself has called us, his people, Zion because we are of one heart and one mind as we dwell in righteousness, and because there are no poor among us in this City of Holiness. My faith in him is now knowledge. How I rejoice in the goodness of God to his children!.... There are other things approaching of which I am not privileged to speak, my friend Omner, but my love, concern, and prayers go out in your behalf. I fear lest you are almost persuaded to belief in Christ. But almost is not enough (p. 67)."
"'The people of the city of Enoch, because of their integrity and faithfulness, were as pilgrims and strangers on the earth. This is due to the fact that they were living the celestial law in a telestial world, and all were of one mind, perfectly obedient to all commandments of the Lord (Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 75).'"
"'We are trying to understand the Gospel as Enoch understood it and as Christ understood it, and to do business as they did it, living in co-operation and managing our affairs in the same way, but many of us are not willing to be taught in temporal matters (Franklin D. Richards, p. 77).'"
April 22, 2020
This is a beautiful book- An imagination of the utopian, zion society found in the City of Enoch. Paradoxically, Maxwell explicitly explores little in terms of their broader legal system, immigration, trade, culture...etc. Rather the book is more a sermon on individual discipleship of Jesus Christ.
As Christ becomes the focus of an individual, that person becomes perfected in Christ. Thus, Christ-centered individuals produce Christ-center families. And Christ-centered families produce Christ-centered societies and nations.
The more I study the city of Enoch, and the concept of Zion, the greater appreciation I have for Joseph Smith’s ambitions to build a literal Zion.
In reference to modern temples (often considered a symbol or proxy of Zion among members of the Church of Jesus Christ), President Russell M. Nelson has said, “In some respects, it is easier to build a temple than it is to build a people prepared for a temple.”
As Christ becomes the focus of an individual, that person becomes perfected in Christ. Thus, Christ-centered individuals produce Christ-center families. And Christ-centered families produce Christ-centered societies and nations.
The more I study the city of Enoch, and the concept of Zion, the greater appreciation I have for Joseph Smith’s ambitions to build a literal Zion.
In reference to modern temples (often considered a symbol or proxy of Zion among members of the Church of Jesus Christ), President Russell M. Nelson has said, “In some respects, it is easier to build a temple than it is to build a people prepared for a temple.”
May 19, 2024
Written somewhat in the style of The Screwtape Letters this a wonderful story! I am fascinated with the City of Enoch and am always eager to learn more of what it would take to have a city and a people like those that filled the City of Enoch. I loved this book from start to finish and once done decided to read it over again just for good measure! If you want to have a better insight on how to live a Zion-like life - and encourage others to join you in the endeavor - this book is a wonderful guide and instruction manual told in a most delightful way! Trust me, you'll want to read this one over and over again!
January 4, 2021
Interesting to read after reading Moses 6-8. I am a life long fan of Neal A. Maxwell and his command of language in explaining gospel principles and understanding. I loved his exploration of the principles of a Zion community as represented by the City of Enoch through a letter format similar to the Screwtape Letters. I will be going back to ponder the principles explored. Would love to discuss it with a friend or two.
January 3, 2022
Very fast read that is quite different in its delivery. Neal A. Maxwell presented scriptures from several cannons as infused them into letter format.
What I found interesting was painting a story in our minds using what many people already know. I felt a desire to be better and do better while reading this book.
This wasn’t a life changing book, however, it is a definite solid four star above average read.
What I found interesting was painting a story in our minds using what many people already know. I felt a desire to be better and do better while reading this book.
This wasn’t a life changing book, however, it is a definite solid four star above average read.
November 29, 2017
I really enjoyed the Enoch Letters. Elder Maxwell weaves scripture, doctrine, and truth together into the story of a man experiencing Enoch's preaching and building of a city. I recognized a lot of the references, but I enjoyed how they were put together into a semi-fictionalized story to provide new insights. Short but sweet.
December 21, 2018
This is a story told though letters. I takes place before the city of Enoch is Lifted up. The letters tell of a man who hears the teaching of Enoch and eventually becomes a follower who encourages his friend to join him. Short read but has so many great teachings. I love Maxwell's writing and teachings.
September 4, 2020
This book was chosen for my book club this month. I really enjoyed reading this short story. It really emphasizes the simpleness of the gospel, though there were still things for me to learn and nuggets of wisdom to glean. It was also nice to read something by Elder Maxwell without having to consult a dictionary on every page! 😉
August 27, 2022
In the similar style to the screw tape letters but from the pen of one who looks into Enoch and His teachings and then joins the city of Enoch. Tools in only the way that Elder Maxwell can we get great nuggets and truths on what we can do to pattern our lives and homes after the ideals of the city of Enoch.
October 7, 2018
Interesting.....kind of the opposite of "The Screwtape Letters," written by a "resident" of the City of Enoch to a friend on the outside. But, it did get me thinking about what a true Christ-like society would be like.
February 5, 2021
I enjoyed this book, but didn't love the writing. There are good messages here to those of the LDS faith, but it's not one of McConkie's best. I don't love his fiction, but rather his words of great wisdom of God.
January 21, 2022
I’m not sure why I hadn’t heard of this book before I read it! It was awesome!
It is very similar to the screwtape letters but from a righteous perspective from someone living in the city of Enoch!
It is very similar to the screwtape letters but from a righteous perspective from someone living in the city of Enoch!
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