Whom God Calls, He Qualifies...the question of Enoch
- Read Moses 6:26-31 and answer the following questions in writing:
• How did the Lord
describe the people of Enoch’s day?
The Lord described the people of Enoch's day as hard-hearted and wicked:
"And for these many generations, ever since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder, and have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father, Adam."
-Moses 6:28
• What did Enoch say
about his calling from the Lord?
Enoch basically said, "Why me? I don't have much social capital and I'm not the best speaker. How is it that you think I can do this?"
- From Moses 6:32-39, 47; 7:13-18, 69; describe in writing how the Lord strengthened and sustained Enoch. Write a paragraph or two on how you have seen the Lord do similar things for you or someone you know.
The Lord took Enoch's weaknesses and turned them to strengths (see Ether 12:27). He made Enoch mighty in every conceivable way. Enoch spoke so powerfully that people couldn't stand in his presence. He moved mountains and led armies and established a society of perfect righteousness. He was able to do all of this because he was on the Lord's errand.
I have seen this power in my own life, in my tenure as a mother. One of my children has special needs, and there have been years when every day was a journey of prayer and tears. I would never have chosen me as a parent for a special needs child. I'm not particularly patient. I'm selfish. I lack all of the qualities and skill-sets that I would imagine would be necessary for one of "those" parents. I'm guessing that's why the Lord chose me. In his wisdom, he saw what I could become, and knew I couldn't do it on my own. He packaged the opportunity in something irresistible--my son. He knew I couldn't quit this regimen for change like I could a gym membership or diet.
I consider motherhood a sacred calling, one which entitles me to the Lord's help. I cling to this. I know that all of my children were and are the Lord's first, and that he wants us to succeed.
Amazing things have happened for my son. When my son was baptized at the age of eight, he was promised in his confirmation prayer that he if he honored the priesthood he would one day receive, that he would be able to serve a mission. This was a revelation to me, this was the Lord giving me a glimpse of what was possible for my son. I said, "Okay Lord, show me what to do."
Four years have passed. During this time, I have pursued diet changes and natural medicine. My son, who has autism, has gone from not being able to sit through church without a meltdown, to passing the sacrament. He has gone from being in a self-contained "special" class, to being a general education student in the Jr. High, with little to no supports. In fact, he is in danger of losing his diagnosis (the head of a team of specialists in a very prestigious autism program, at a leading research hospital, said she "might have made a mistake" in her diagnosis, the last time she saw him, because she could not account for the change).
I can explain it. Like Enoch, I am made mighty in the Lord's work. My son is the Lord's work. My family is the Lord's work. I am the Lord's work.
The account of Enoch in Genesis basically verifies his existence, his lineage, and his standing with the Lord, and a vague reference to being taken to the Lord. In Moses, we get a full account of his role as a prophet. We learn of his call to service, his mightiness in calling the people to repentance, the miracles he is able to perform in his service, and the city of Zion that he establishes; which is so righteous that it's taken from the earth.
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