Enos

We don’t know much about Enos. He went into the woods to hunt and while there the teachings of his father seemed to weigh upon him deeply and he felt a need to repent of his sins. I do not think that he was a sinful or bad person. He was obviously worthy enough for Jacob to pass on the plates and all of the other sacred things the prophets possessed. This would have included the Liahona, the sword of Laban and probably other important items. Perhaps he was avoiding his calling, or felt unworthy of it like President Kimball who after being called as an apostle, went up into the mountains and prayed because he felt unworthy of being an apostle, even though he was worthy.

Much has been said about the process that Enos went through. He first prayed for himself and having received forgiveness from the Lord, and I think a determination to do his best in the calling, he then prays for his fellow Nephites who have become a stiff-necked people. I think this means they were prideful and stubborn. Then he prays for his enemies the Lamanites. When we have the Spirit, and when we possess charity, we view those people we don’t like, and those people who abuse us, differently. Being accepted of the Lord changes how we look and feel about other people. While we can’t condone their bad acts and often have to deal with the consequences of their actions, our hearts and minds are more at peace, more settled because we look upon all people more as the Lord does. Instead of anger, we feel pity.

When the Lord says we should love our enemies, I don’t think it’s with the same love we feel for someone like a spouse or family member. President Taylor said that wasn’t possible or necessary. I don’t think Enos loved the Lamanites in the manner he loved his fellow Nephites. He says the Lamanites had sworn they would destroy them. They were a hating, wild, ferocious, blood-thirsty, filthy people who were obviously ignorant and lacking in an ability to understanding their own lack of progress. But if they were converted and their hearts softened, what kind of people would they become? I think that’s what we do when we pray for our enemies, that their hearts will be softened.