Skip to main content

"Lord, How Is It Done?" Enos1:1-8

Enos 1:1-8

As testament to his father Jacob, Enos begins his short account with a simple statement of tribute to his father: "knowing my father that he was a just man." (verse 1, emphasis added) How appropriate and how beautiful is the acknowledgment of a son of his father's goodness and righteousness. It might seem backwards that the testimony of a son towards his father would be such compelling evidence of his father's goodness, but on the other hand, who better to make such a statement.

Enos's account is different than Nephi's and Jacob's. Here is the first prophet in the Book of Mormon to make reference to his own repentance and conversion to Christ. He describes it in simple terms by saying, "I will tell you of the wrestle that I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins." (verse 2)

Enos's repentance process was, when it finally came, an all day ordeal. He was found in a quiet place, were betwixt him and God they could work through the sins that Enos had committed. I appreciate that Enos described repentance as a wrestle with God -- a labor intensive struggle that requires every ounce of effort that one has or is capable of possessing. As any interaction with God should require, this especially demanded all of his heart, might, mind, and strength. (See Doctrine and Covenants 4:2)

When the night finally came, Enos continued his struggle, but then was met with these words, that only the penitent can fully appreciate, "thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed."(verse 5)  I love what Enos concludes subsequently, "I knew that God could not lie, wherefore, my guilt was swept away." (verse 6)  

Simple terms really -- there is no other way to describe it. But the change that takes place is profoundly significant and life altering. To have one's guilt removed, the burden of sin, which hangs as an oppressive rock over one's soul, to return to a state of innocence and purity before God, there is nothing to compare with this transformation which takes place. (see also John 3:3)

The depth of the forgiveness that Enos received and its impact upon him seems to be the reason that prompts his subsequent question. Again, a very simple statement-- "Lord, how is it done?" (verse 7) Then, knowing that Enos had listening ears, the Lord answers him "because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou has never before heard nor seen... wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole." (verse 8

The simplicity of the repentance process and the profundity of the forgiveness and cleansing that resulted are made possible through faith in Christ. In just a few chapters later (though roughly 400 years later), King Benjamin teaches:
And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. (Mosiah 3:17)

Comments

  1. Speaking of Enos' acknowledgement of his father, it's also interesting to note that he then says "blessed be the name of my God for it". You might expect him to praise his dad for teaching him, which I'm sure he feels too. But he praises God for giving him a righteous and diligent father and recognises it as a blessing to his own life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent point and reminder, Herdsman family. Credit was given where it ought to have been. Enos's remarks are very short, comparatively, with the other books in the Book of Mormon. Yet even so, his words are inspiring. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. verse 8: The words "thy faith hath made thee whole" were also said to 1) the woman with issue of blood, 2) blind Bartemaus, 3) the grateful Samaritan leper; often also saying "be of good comfort" and "go in peace" or "go thy way".

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"An Awful Death," Alma 40:22-26

Alma 40:22-26 Ezekiel 37:6-14 - This prophecy of Ezekiel is a key indicator of divine priority. These last few verses at the end of the chapter are a testimony of the reality and nature of the resurrection, and the consignments of the wicked and the righteous thereafter. What questions should I be asking about these verses? Continue in verse 26 tomorrow. There are a number of footnotes on "the death of the wicked," or that death which "pertains to the things of righteousness." So I have spent the morning studying this death of the wicked, by reading the footnotes on "death" as referenced in title of this post, or "an awful death of the wicked."  Doctrine and Covenants 29:41 truly illustrates the seriousness of that predicament. He first is talking about the spiritual death that came upon Adam when he was cast out of the Garden of Eden: ...wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the first death, even that same death which is

"Behold, Here Are Six Onties of Silver," Alma 11:1-22

Alma 11:1-22 I finally arrive at chapter 11 of Alma. We have at the beginning of the chapter an explanation of the currency of the day among the Nephites. It is laid out as such: Nephite Coinage Chart Gold Silver Value limnah onti ( vs.22 ) Equal to a senine, a seon, and a shum of gold combined, or equal to a senum, an amnor, and a ezrom of silver combined. (7 senines, 7 senums, or 7 days of work) ( vs. 10, 13 ) shum ezrom 2 seons (4 senines) or 2 amnors (4 senums) ( vs. 9, 12 ) seon amnor 2 senines or 2 senums ( vs. 8, 11 ) antion 3 shiblons, which means it should be 1½ senine ( vs. 19 ) senine senum This is the base measurement from which all other coins are valued. A day's wages for a judge. Also, the worth of a measure of barley and every other kind of grain.( vs. 3, 7 ) shiblon half a senum, half a measure of barley ( vs. 15 ) shiblum half a shiblon (4 shiblums = a senum) ( vs. 16 ) leah half a shiblum (8 leahs = a senum) ( vs. 17 ) In verse 20 , we learn that the motivation