Melchizedek was very similar to Enoc. Both these men were born during a time of great wickedness, but because they were so righteous and had such a righteous influence on the people around them they were both able to bring about a perfection of a whole city of people, which city was then taken up into heaven.
So in likening this to an analogy of a kingdom, think about our families and the charge we are given over them, especially as mothers we are responsible for the nurturing of our children. One article stated, "The family is the domain for some of the greatest tests, as well as opportunities.... The home is the crucible of Christian commitment....the person who enjoys the companionship of the Spirit will be taught by the Spirit in his relations with others...Because the Lord can capture the hearts of men through his love, honor, and virtue, he has power to transform their lives. The example of Christ inspires us to a higher, spiritual level of consciousness and conduct, to become what we have the capacity to become. While it is true that Christ has commanded us to love and to live righteously, to limit our vision of his teaching to the issuing of commandments is to miss the point. What he did was to reveal the nature and potential of man and the meaning of love and righteousness. He has shown us that the worst of us is worthy of love (see Matt. 5:44) and that each is capable of loving the rest of us." (1)
Towards the end of the article it states, "The sons of Melchizedek have a work to do in the world, in the kingdom, in their homes. All around are lives that need the blessings of the priesthood of the King of Righteousness. Thus has the Lord counseled: 'Stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees' (D&C 81:5). As priesthood holders serve in meekness, they draw unto themselves, their families, and others the power to attain godliness, for “all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God” (JST, Heb. 7:3). What a heritage and challenge, then, is ours in the Melchizedek Priesthood! Here is a name of beauty. Here is a priesthood of love that, by its very nature, teaches of Jesus Christ. Even the ministry of Melchizedek prefigures and typifies the Master in its power to inspire repentance; to establish peace, virtue, and holiness; to do works of meekness, service, and love; and to bring an entire society into the presence of God." (1)
This is likened unto the women as well as the men, since the men cannot hold the highest order of the Priesthood without being married. What a powerful influence for good a righteous mother and father have in the home. But even in homes where there is only one righteous influence, in following the pattern of Christ we can have as much influence on our families for good as Melchizedek did for the people he had influence upon.
The second article references that it was not easy for either Enoch or Melchizedek. "They labored and struggled for many years." and that "many years of dedicated service to the Lord must have melted into supernal joys." (2)
For mothers it starts from the time her first child is born, and it really never ends in this life, the influence and power we have over the lives of our children.
Women are capable of great love and I firmly believe that our love will be the strongest force for good and for influence than anything else.
As we learn to know and love the Savior we learn to love like Him. How great it will be to "arrive" in heaven and to know that we literally brought our entire "society" with us!
References:
(1)Gib Kocherhans, “The Name ‘Melchizedek’: Some Thoughts on Its Meaning and the Priesthood It Represents,” Ensign, Sep 1980, 19
(2)Dennis A. Wright, "'None Were Greater': A Restoration View of Melchizedek," Ensign 1998, 30
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