“Enos,” Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students (2012), 98–100
“Enos,” Book of Mormon Study Guide, 98–100
Introduction to Enos
Why Study This Book?
The book of Enos illustrates the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to cleanse people from sin and make them whole. Enos wrestled before God in mighty prayer before his sins were forgiven. He then prayed for the spiritual welfare of the Nephites and Lamanites. He spent the remainder of his life laboring for their salvation. As you study the book of Enos, you can discover important lessons about prayer, repentance, and revelation. You can also learn that as individuals receive the blessings of the Atonement, they will desire to share those blessings with others.
Who Wrote This Book?
Enos, the son of Jacob and the grandson of Lehi and Sariah, authored this book. Enos recorded that his father taught him “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Enos 1:1). Near the end of his life, Enos wrote that he had declared “the word according to the truth which is in Christ” (Enos 1:26) throughout all his days. Before his death, Enos passed the small plates of Nephi to his son Jarom. Enos concluded his record by rejoicing in the day when he would stand before his Redeemer. He declared, “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” (Enos 1:27).
When and Where Was It Written?
Enos closed his record by declaring that 179 years had passed since Lehi left Jerusalem (see Enos 1:25). That places the date of his writing between approximately 544 B.C. (when Jacob closed his record) and 420 B.C. Enos wrote this record while living in the land of Nephi.