Youth Lesson Plan: Moses 7

THE OPENER (2–3 minutes)

Object lesson: Bring a single piece of string (or yarn). Hold it up and ask: “How hard would it be to break this?” (Easy.) Then twist it into a thicker cord (or braid three short strings together if you can). “Now how hard?” (Harder.)

Tell them: “Moses 7 is basically the Lord teaching Enoch how to stop being a one-string people and become a braided-cord people—strong, united, and holy. The scripture word for that is Zion.”

Transition question: “When you hear ‘Zion,’ do you picture a place… or a kind of people?”

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SCRIPTURE DEEP DIVE (12–15 minutes)

Have students open to Moses 7:18. Before anyone explains anything, ask: “What do you notice? What words feel like the ‘braid’—the strands that make Zion strong?”

Then read the verse aloud together (invite a student to read):

“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)

Let them turn to a partner for 45 seconds: “Pick one phrase from that verse. What do you think it actually looks like at school, at home, or in a quorum/class?”

Bring them back and ask a question that requires real thought: “Which part of Moses 7:18 is hardest to live—one heart, one mind, dwelt in righteousness, or no poor among them? Why do you think the Lord put all of those in the same sentence?”

Next, go to Moses 7:21. Ask: “What do you notice about what happens to Zion? What does God do with a society like that?”

Read:

“And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, Zion is fled.” (Moses 7:21)

Ask: “What do you think it means that ‘God received it up into his own bosom’? What does that teach you about how close the Lord wants to be with His covenant people?”

Now pivot to the emotional center of the chapter: Moses 7:28. Tell them: “Enoch sees something that surprises him. Watch for the surprise.”

Read:

“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)

Ask: “Why do you think Enoch is shocked? What assumptions do people sometimes make about God’s feelings?”

Then read Moses 7:33 (this is the Lord explaining the heartbreak of agency and consequences):

“And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood; and the fire of mine indignation is kindled against them; and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them.” (Moses 7:33)

Let them sit with it for a moment. Ask: “What do you learn about God from the fact that He weeps and warns? What does that tell you about His love?”

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THE BIG IDEA (8–10 minutes)

Guide them to articulate (not you lecture) the doctrines that emerge:

First principle: Zion is a people, not just a place—and unity is spiritual work. Anchor it again in the verse:

“...they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:18)

Ask: “If Zion requires ‘one heart’ and ‘one mind,’ what’s the difference between unity and just… everyone being the same?” Let them wrestle. If they get stuck, nudge: “Can you be united with someone you don’t totally relate to?”

Second principle: God is not distant. He is emotionally invested in His children. Use the text:

“...the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept...” (Moses 7:28)

Ask: “How does it change your prayers if you believe God actually feels what you feel?”

Third principle: The Lord’s path is love and choosing Him; the world’s path is ‘without affection.’ Read again the key phrase:

“...they are without affection, and they hate their own blood...” (Moses 7:33)

Ask: “Where do you see ‘without affection’ show up today—maybe in group chats, comments, cliques, or how people treat someone who’s different? What would Zion look like in that exact situation?”

Keep it real: “Zion isn’t built by perfect people. It’s built by people who keep choosing the Lord and learning to love.”

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MIX IT UP – ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY (5–8 minutes)

Case study (whole-class): Present this scenario:

“A new kid shows up. They dress differently, talk differently, and someone posts a ‘joke’ about them. It’s not violent, but it’s cold. People laugh. Nobody defends them. You’re not the bully—you’re just there.”

Ask the class to choose one of Moses 7’s phrases as their ‘Zion move’ in that moment: ‘one heart,’ ‘one mind,’ ‘dwelt in righteousness,’ ‘no poor among them,’ or ‘choose me’ (Moses 7:18, 7:33). Then ask: “What would you actually do or say—in normal teenager language?”

If they offer good ideas, tie it back gently: “That’s how Zion starts—small, brave choices that create safety and belonging.”

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THE LANDING (3–4 minutes)

Return to the string. “Zion is what happens when the Lord takes a bunch of individual strands and makes a covenant people—strong enough to lift someone instead of snapping them.”

Read Moses 7:18 one more time, but this time ask them to listen for one phrase the Spirit wants them to practice this week.

“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)

Invitation (simple and specific): “This week, do one ‘Zion thing’ on purpose: choose someone who might feel socially ‘poor’—left out, ignored, or targeted—and quietly change their experience. Sit by them. Speak up for them. Include them. Be the opposite of ‘without affection’” (Moses 7:33).

Bear testimony naturally from the text: I trust the God who weeps (Moses 7:28) because He’s the kind of God who notices His children—and He can teach us to become the kind of people who notice each other. Zion starts there.