Enoch

The people of Enoch’s day were an evil people. They did not seek the Lord in all things but instead “sought their own counsels in the dark” (Moses 6:28). The Lord explained to Enoch that the people’s “hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off” (Moses 6:27). The Lord called upon Enoch to be a prophet unto the people and preach repentance unto them. Enoch was wary of the assignment he was given. He explained to the Lord, “Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?” (Moses 6:31). Enoch did not feel that he had the proper training to be a servant of the Lord.

The Lord assured Enoch that He would assist him in doing His work. He tells him, “Open thy mouth and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good” (Moses 6:32). The Lord knows the potential of each and every one of us. He knows what we are capable of doing. The Lord has a plan that needs specific people in specific situations to bring about the results He desires. We need to be willing to step up to the call that He extends to us regardless of whether or not we feel qualified because as the Lord told Enoch, He will give us the strength and the skills that we need to accomplish it.

In January of 2012 I was called to be Relief Society president in my student ward at BYU-Idaho. I accepted the calling knowing that the Lord would help me through it. The semester had its usual ups and downs. Near the end of the semester I began to feel as though I had failed. I had people around me telling me that I hadn’t done a good enough job and that I needed to be better. I felt like Enoch when he said, “All the people hate me…wherefore am I thy servant?” (Moses 6:31). As I humbly sought the Lord in prayer and through the help of my bishop I came to realize that I was doing my best and that I was pleasing the Lord. The Lord had strengthened me to do all that He expected me to do, not what other people expected me to do. I was reassured that the Lord provides those He calls with all of the strengths and skills they need to fulfill His plan.

I am so glad that we have the account of Enoch in the Pearl of Great Price. It gives us so much understanding that we do not get from the bible. Without the Pearl of Great Price I would not have the example of Enoch to look up to when I feel as though I am not qualified for the calling the Lord has bestowed upon me.