Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the city of Enoch. We don’t know much about this city and how it came to be so righteous that it was lifted off of the earth. But it has been prophesied that a group of righteous Saints will become as righteous as those heavenward Saints and will greet them when the city of Enoch returns. God covenanted with Enoch that He would:

“gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

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” (Moses 7: 62-63).

In the midst of the wickedness of the world, the righteous will be able to create their own heaven, or Zion, on the earth as we wait for the Lord to come down, bringing the city of Enoch with Him.

My mind boggles at the thought that righteousness will reign quietly in the midst of the wickedness we see all around us. But, since the scriptures say it will be, it must be so. My faith may be sketchy, but my hope is strong.

As an LDS people, are we faithful enough? Righteous enough? Able to pull this prophecy off?

That’s one reason why I’ve enjoyed reading these old conference talks so much. They give us clear direction and encouragement to keep on keeping on. This week, I read through the talks given in the Saturday morning session of October 1991.

Ezra Taft Benson was prophet at the time. He was in attendance, but unable to speak. Gordon B. Hinckley opened the conference and quoted Pres. Benson with these words about Jesus Christ: “Without Him we would be lost in a mirage of beliefs and worship, born in fear and darkness.”

M. Russell Ballard said, “Joseph Smith, Sr., endured ridicule and persecution because of his prophet son’s experiences and claims. Yet, he was unwavering in his loving support and defended his son.”

Robert L. Backman said, “Jesus Christ is indeed more than a king; he is the Son of God, our Savior, our Redeemer, the author and finisher of our faith, … That is what the gospel is all about.”

Ted E. Brewerton said, “Light persuades us to do good; it leads us to Christ.”

George I. Cannon said, “As the Savior becomes the center of our lives, we will be more loving and giving. … What a blessing it is for each of us to be leaders in righteousness.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “Never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. … If you honor this counsel, the spirit of rebellion will never come into your hearts.”

Howard W. Hunter said, “In this gospel view there is no room for a contracted, narrow, or prejudicial view. … Ours is a perennial religion based on eternal, saving truth. Its message of love and brotherhood is lodged in scripture and in the revelations of the Lord to his living prophet.”

All of these talks have the potential to lift us where we stand, to literally make us better people if we follow their precepts. As all General Conference talks are meant to do. The talks given in our most recent conference are no different. They are filled with truths that make us better people. And if we practice the behavior, and believe what they preach, we have the potential to become like the inhabitants of that great city of Enoch.