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THE BOOK OF ENOS
CHAPTER 1
Enos prays mightily and gains a remission of his sins—The voice of the Lord comes into his mind promising salvation for the Lamanites in a future day—Nephites sought to reclaim the Lamanites in their day—Enos rejoices in his Redeemer. [ Between 544 and 420 B.C.]
1 BEHOLD, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father [ Interesting to note that his Father is named Jacob. See Ja ob 7:27. It was also Jacob in the old testament that has a wrestle with God. ] that he was [ Since this is past tense we can assume that Jacob has died ] a just man—for he taught me in his language, [ Could Enos be telling us that his father taught him how to pray. He must have becasue we will find Enos praying to the Lord all day and all night long. How long are your prayers? Not that all prayers need to be all day and night; but how does one begin to pray for that long? A) We need to pray with and under the direction of the spirit - D&C 46:30; Asking for those things as prompted by the spirit Hel 10:5, D&C 88:64-65, James 4:3; 3 Ne 19:24, Romans 8:26. ] and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord [ a more modern interpetation might be "discipline and admonition of the Lord" compare to Eph 6:4 - New American Standard ] —and blessed be the name of my God for it— [ We can assume that since he had taught him well that he also passed on the Aaronic priesthood to him - and he was also Chief Priest. So is this prayer really about Enos as he takes over as Chief Priest and assumes those duties - he goes before the Lord (vs 3-4 he feels that he is not worthy to take on the new responsibility - just like a new bishop that is called) to better understand his stewardship. Just like a new Bishop - he prays to know what to do, he prays for his people and then he prays for everyone in his ward boundaries member or not vs 9-13. Combine all of this with the fact that his father is gone - he probably feels a little alone right now! ]
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, [ Remember that the father of Enos was named Jacob, here the writer is using phrasology from ancient writings to tie the story of Jacob in the old world who wrestled with God to the story here. Or in other words we can better understand one in light of the other. Note it is not a wrestle with God, but he was wrestling in front of God - some what a kind to wrestling with one's self?; I would think that if he was rebellious it would have been with God as he tried to justify his sin. Trying to justify why he should be able to keep his favorite sin so to speak. ] before I received a remission of my sins. [ Most likely not too serious of sins, as he appears to have learned from his Father - he respected him and did as he was taught, 2 he is entrusted with the plates from his father See Jacob 7:27- something that his father most likely would not have done if he did not feel like he would do as instructed. A good contrast would be the process that Alma the Younger went through - since God is just and the same yesterday and today then there must have been a difference in the severity of the sins - or they were along time ago.]
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; [ Where was he? In the wilderness; in a quiet place; a place were he could talk to the Lord out loud; a place were he would not be interrupted. ] and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. [ He prepared himself for the experience. How? He though about spiritual things, he left the things of the world behind. Remember he had made this journy to go hunt for food, but he does not mention anything more about the hunt - he left it behind. ]
4 And my soul hungered; [ When did he do it? He did it when the time was right; when he was not too tired; when he had too much on his mind; when he was too emotional; ] and I kneeled down before my Maker, [ knees showing submission to our Father in Heaven; ] and I cried unto him in mighty prayer [ most likely out loud. See D&C 19:28; Conf report Oct 1979 President Kimball challenged us to pray out loud. ] and supplication for mine own soul; [ This is of great importance. He starts out with himself. This gives us a good measure of who Enos is when he begins his prayer. ] and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. [ How long did he stay at it? He was not in a hurry; he realized from his father that if he was to receive what he was asking for he was going to have to show that he was willing to do more than ask and go to sleep. If you are going to have a real discussion with the Lord you have to be willing to spend some time doing so. ]
5 And there came a voice unto me, [ He waited for an answer or answers. It was not pray and jump into bed it was pray and wait with hope and faith. sometimes the waiting might involve a pen and paper to take notes on impressions and thoughts received. ] saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; [ he has been taught and understands that nature of God - that he cannot lie or he would cease to be God. So if God says you are forgiven then you are forgiven - no question. Ether 3:12 ] wherefore, my guilt was swept away. [ He felt the immediate impact from the atonement in his life. Atonement means change right? what signs do we immediately see that Enos was changed? 1) His belief in Christ becomes steadfast 2) he immediately turns from himself to the welfare of his brethern the Nephites; this all takes place in a very short period of time - hours or less denoting the real change in himself. 3) then he prays for the Lamanites this would have been a big change of heart. Enos now found himself justified, or acquitted of sin. He knew he was justified because the guilt was removed. The story of Alma the younger is also a marvelous example of the justification process (see Alma 36:4-24). Guilt that is God given is God removed. It comes as part of the light of Christ to help men see the error of their ways and cause them to repent. However, guilt is not to be confused with personal disappointment, remorse, and regret. Man brings these emotions upon himself. Personal disappointment and regret most often come at the very moment guilt is experienced and therefore often are wrongfully associated with guilt. After repentance, guilt is removed by the Lord but the personal disappointment and regret may remain. Therefore, some feel, wrongly, that they haven't been forgiven because they still feel these emotions. They must distinguish between that which comes from God and that which they have produced themselves.]
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done? [ We can see this was a two way communication as Enos says teach me when he does not understand. ]
8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he [ "1830 edition "before that he" How could Joseph Smith have known? Biblical Hebrew begins subordinate clauses with prepositions plus a word that translates as that, such as in Ezekiel 40:1: "after that the city was smitten." Such a use of that in English is awkward and therefore rare. Yet it appears frequently in the Book of Mormon, another evidence of Hebrew influence. It was even more frequent in the 1830 edition, but many of the thats were dropped from later editions to read more smoothly.(The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon; John A. Tvedtnes) ] shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. [ Where have we heard that before? Mark 5:34; Luke 17:19; Mark 10:52; Luke 8:48; Matt 9:22. ]
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire [ he most likely served before out of duty, but he has been changed by this process. Even his desires (when ones calling and election is made sure there desire for sin disappears), here his desire turns from himself toward his bretheren, another sign that points toward change of heart turning from self to others. This can serve as a great example for us - If we are serving out of duty, doing so begruggingly we need to repent, and when we have done so our desires will be turned toward our brothern - that is how we can know as well. As we humble ourselves before God, confess our sins, express our need for God - our love for him - then our desires change because we understand the benefit and responsibility of performing our religious responsibilities. ] for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; [ second clue that Enos has been changed by the atonement - he leaves his problems on the table turns outside himself to his brethern. ] wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, [ so what exactly is he struggling for now? The same things that he was struggling for in regard to himself is now turned to his brethern. He wants them to have they might be made whole as he has - that they too might partake of the mighty change. ] behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. [ Even though Enos has prayed for them the Lord cannot just give it to them because the law is based on them exercising their agency. Blessings such as it applies to the atonement can only come through obedience to the laws and ordinances upon which they are predicated. ] I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; [ The Lord informs Enos that he has done what he can to give them every opportunity; the rest is up to them. ] wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads. [ If they do not repent they will suffer even as I have sufferred. D&C 19:15-17]
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, [ What has he learned about or from the Lord here? First about the agency of man, the Lord will provide things to help man; second that God will use his resources to humble man if needs be. Above all he will always try to bring man back to him because of his great love for them. ] my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.[ A demonstration of his change brought on by the atonement, he is changed and now begins to worry about the welfare of others. ]
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith. [ What is the basis of Enos's faith? 1) He knows and believes there is a God vs 8; 2) He understood the nature of God - that he had the power to overcome sin vs 2; 3) He understood the attributes of God - that he could not lie vs 6. Joseph Smith said in lectures on Faith that there are three things that we must understand to have perfect faith. Here Enos recognizes that he has each of them. First, the idea that he (God) actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ (Lectures on Faith, Lecture Third, para. 2 5, p. 33) ]
13 And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him— [ How could Joseph Smith have known? Cognates are related words that come from the same root. For example, the English noun student is cognate to the verb study and the adjective studious. In Hebrew, a verb is sometimes followed by a noun that is a cognate, such as "wrote upon it a writing" (Exodus 39:30) and "she vowed a vow" (1 Samuel 1:11). In English, cognates are used much less often. Using such cognates is often considered an awkward or inelegant style in English. someone writing in English would be more likely to use "she vowed" or "she made a vow." Even in translation from the Hebrew, the King James Bible sometimes avoids using cognates. In Genesis 1:11, a literal translation of the Hebrew would be "Let the earth grass grass," but the English translation reads "Let the earth bring forth grass." The Book of Mormon uses cognates much more often than we would expect if the book had originally been written in English. These cognates show the Hebrew influence of the original. "this was the desire which I desired of him" - instead of what I desired. (The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon - http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=72&chapid=862) ] that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, [ do you suppose that he was propmted to know this during his prayer? If his prayer is directed by the spirit then he knows what to pray for. so what is the real value of prayer if we need to align our thoughts with Gods; and have to pray for those things that we are prompted by the spirit to pray for? ] and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation— [ Enos expresses to the Lord his feelings, his concerns, his fears, his thoughts. so if the Lord knows our thoughts why do we need to express them in detail to the Lord? Is it the process of doing so that we show the Lord our reliance in him. Is it the expression of the details that ]
14 For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them [ the Lamanites ] to the true faith. [ What does this phrase suggest to us as readers? That he has been working to preach the gospel to them but they have not be listening, he does not know what else to do, he needs some help from a higher authority; he has put effort into solving the problem. ] And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, and also all the traditions of our fathers.
15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it. [ Part of this promise imply's that you will only ask for things that are in the mind and will of the Lord and not contrary to it. The prayer of Enos teaches us that we must exercise our faith in prayer while being in tune and directed by the spirit. ]
16 And I had faith, [ How important is faith in prayer? ] and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.
17 And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; [ The Lord always keeps his end of the agreement. ] wherefore my soul did rest.
18 And the Lord said unto me: Thy fathers have also required of me this thing; [ Lehi, Nephi, Jacob all asked that God if the Nephites were annihiliated then the records would be preserved for the Laminites and would serve as a means to bring them unto salvation. ] and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine.
19 And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come, [ ] and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen. [ Enos has learned a great lesson and goes about trying to teach it to the people. ]
20 And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God. But our labors were vain; their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious, and a dblood-thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness; feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in tents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins and their heads shaven; and their skill was in the bow, and in the cimeter, and the ax. And many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat; and they were continually seeking to destroy us.
21 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, [ this shows a major difference between the two groups of peoples - the Laminites who roam hunting and gathering and the Nephites who lay down foundations, build the land put down roots grow and build upon it. Do you think that this has any influence on how they accept the gospel as well, or is it because of their nature that they keep roaming never finding the right place, never satisfied with anything, always wanting more, better. Compare to Esau and Jacob Gen 25:27 ] and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses. [ The article, entitled “Animals in the Book of Mormon: Challenges and Perspectives,” provides an overview of the issue and discusses some of the complexity involved in the study of ancient animal remains. They report on a recent radiocarbon test of a horse bone found in Mexico, dated to ca. 500 BC. In 2017, one of the authors (Miller) received results from C-14 dating of horse fossils. This material came from his field research in Mexico. A date of 2,540 years before the present was provided by the Radiocarbon Laboratory at the University of Arizona. This would place the horse in Mexico during the time of the Nephites. If this horse fossil date is correct, it comes only a little after Nephi arrived in the promised land (ca. 580 BC) and reported seeing horses there (1 Nephi 18:25), and shortly before Enos (ca. 420 BC) reported the Nephites having “many horses” (Enos 1:21). ]
22 And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand. [ it was difficult to get them to understand, partly as a result of their culture ]
23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness [ If you look up the word "plainness" in the Webster 1828 dictionary (the language of Joseph Smith's day), as well as the Greek definition (in Bible hub). A more correct definition would be "boldness". Here are a few highlights that are helpful: From Webster's 1828 definition: 2. Openness; rough, blunt or unrefined frankness. 3. Artlessness; simplicity; candor; as unthinking plainness 4. Clearness; openness; sincerity. Seeing then we have such hope, we use great plainness (or boldness in other translations) of speech . 2 Corinthians 3:12. (From Bible Hub) GREEK: parrésia: freedom of speech, confidence Usage: freedom, openness, especially in speech; boldness, confidence. HELPS Word-studies 3954 parrhēsía (from 3956 /pás, "all" and rhēsis, "a proverb or statement quoted with resolve," L-S) – properly, confidence (bold resolve), leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously). ] of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them.
24 And I saw wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the course of my days.
25 And it came to pass that I began to be old, *and an hundred and seventy and nine years had passed away from the time that our father Lehi left Jerusalem.
26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God [ Referring to vs 2-8 ] that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.
27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. [ Interesting phrase here. To my knowledge there is not mention of "the mansions of the Father" before this(420 BC). The idea that he just comes out and says it with no explanation suggests that the concept was a common one. Interestingly there is a mention in the Book of Enoch 41:2 Where Enoch saw the mansions that the Father had prepared. Christ will also later reference the idea when he talks of going to "the mansions that his Father has prepared.(John 14:2)". So this gives some credence that the old records had by Enos contained the writings of Enoch as well. ] Amen.
* Verse 25  [420 B.C.].