The Wrestle – Enos 1:1-27

1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man [Knowing his father was honest and did not lie, he had confidence in the things his father had taught him. His Father had been declared “Just” of the Lord, born again and exalted.] —for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—

2And I will tell you of the wrestle [A difficult process. This word was also used to describe the patriarch Jacob’s night as he “wrestled” to receive his blessing. Genesis 32:24-25] which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. [He desired his baptism of fire and Gift of the Holy Ghost, as he sought to be made clean and holy before God like his father.]

3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; 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. [The words of Nephi, Jacob, and all the holy prophets had been taught to Enos. He desired to stand in the presence of God, a “Second Comforter” experience.]

4 And my soul hungered; [wanted with all his heart] and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; 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.

This verse describes the intense emotion and desire that Enos had to reach the Lord. He not only prayed but “cried” out to God that he would hear his prayer. The act of crying out is often used in the Book of Mormon for those who connect with God. What does this mean? There are many things that happen when one reaches this level of desire. First, they are overcome to the degree that they vocalize the intense desire of their heart, like Lamoni, who previously not knowing God was willing to give all he had to be accepted of Him, even all of his kingdom. The act of crying out, if done with all one’s heart, is a sign of a broken heart and contrite spirit. 

Another interesting aspect of this is how the vocalization typically is accompanied by a change in the tone of one’s voice. These tones have a spiritual connection to the higher realms of Heaven. There is a mystery here. 

It is also impressive that Enos prayed all day and into the night. Why is this significant? The patriarch Jacob also prayed into the night for a long time before he received the blessing he sought. When someone, desiring to receive a remission of sins (baptism of fire) has given all that they have, and they fall down having nothing left, God knows they are ready. Each individual’s experience is different. Not all will have to do what Enos did, but the principle is the same.

5And there came a voice [He heard it in his mind, not a Second Comforter at this point.] unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. [Confirmation that he had received the baptism of fire and gift of the Holy Ghost.]

6And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. [Enos is made clean.]

7 And I said: Lord, how is it done? [The pattern of asking questions.]

8And 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 shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. [To be exalted is to be whole in spirit.]

9Now, it came to pass [Whenever this phrase is used it means after a period of time, which could be hours, days, or years.] that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them. [Enos desired to be a Servant.]

10And while I was thus struggling in the spirit [The process of communication with God, requiring great focus and faith.], 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. 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; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.

This verse gives an understanding of how to receive revelation. It is a struggle for most everyone as they learn this process. It occurs in the quiet places of our mind. We must learn to discern the Lord’s voice. For more information regarding this process refer to “How to Open Your Spiritual Eyes.”

11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; [He knows God will answer him.] and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites. [Prays for his enemies.]

As we become more familiar with the process of receiving revelation our faith becomes more “unshaken.” Our confidence waxes strong in the presence of the Lord. When this occurs the degree of the gifts of the Spirit that we experience begins to increase exponentially. We begin to recognize the ministering of angels, prophecy, healing, miracles, and eventually to see the face of God.

12And 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. [Seeking revelation and acting upon it, this is the basis of great faith; and how we will please the Lord in this life and forever.]

13And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him—that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, 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 had become one with the Lord because of the Holy Ghost, which means His desires and understanding mirrored the Lord having received a fullness of His Spirit. The Spirit put these desires into his heart, which the Lord had already prepared and was planning to do for the sake of these people.]

14 For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them to the true faith. [There is a timing in every blessing. When we struggle to make something happen, even if a righteous desire, and it is not according to the proper timing it will fail. Let that sink in.] 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 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. [What is your desire?]

16 And I had faith, 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; wherefore my soul did rest. [When we receive a promise of God you know you have the gift of revelation. When you share it according to the Lord’s commandment, as did Enos, you have the gift of prophecy. You are a prophet.]

18 And the Lord said unto me: Thy fathers have also required of me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine. [This would put Enos’ faith on the level of Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob.]

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. [What had Enos seen?]

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 blood-thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness; feeding upon beasts of prey [Not farming]; dwelling in tents [Only Native Americans have dwelt in tents in this part of the earth.], 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. [That is a very strong visual.]

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, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses. [These are not the kind of horses you and I would think of. In this case a horse is an animal that is bridled to pull a carriage or chariot. I feel constrained to not reveal what it was.]

22 And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand. [That is good that there were many prophets. We need thousands of prophets! Those who are stiff-necked will not turn to consider the words of the prophets and fail to understand the significance of what they say.]

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 of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them [This verse describes the kind of language and demeanor of a true prophet. If you hear “All is well in Zion” I would be wary.]

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. [That’s almost how long its been since the death of Joseph Smith.]

26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God 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. [Enos was a servant of God, a 4th estate prophet who was called before the foundation of the world (Alma 13). When a servant awakens as did Enos and his heart swells to know to God the next step is to arise, which is to establish a relationship. Then, they receive their calling and election made sure, the decree to “go forth” and fulfill their missions.]

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 [Blessed], there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen. [This is a description of the state of the soul, having received Eternal Life.]

In my first book, “How to Have Your Second Comforter,” I shared my personal story for when I went into the mountains and prayed all night to know the Lord. The following morning I had my baptism of fire and gift of the Holy Ghost. It was the most spiritually exhausting thing I had ever done. I know that most don’t have to do that. Lamoni’s experience came quickly, others simply cry out and with full submission of their hearts to the Lord experience the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost. I feel grateful that the Lord allowed me to experience the sacrifice that I did, for it brought me lower than the dust.  I was constrained by the Spirit to do what I did, as do others that feel the need to do as Enos and pray all day and into the night.

If you feel impressed to do an Enos prayer I wrote a post a few years ago that detailed what I did. It may help inspire your faith. Follow the example of Enos and exercise great faith toward having a relationship with God. It is so worth it. Go to the following link: https://purerevelations.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/the-enos-prayer/