“And Many Years Pass Away Before He Shall Manifest Himself in the Flesh”

Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.

Christ may manifest Himself to men from time to time as the scriptures tell us; but, to Enos His earthly ministry in the flesh is yet some years away. “Flesh” used in this context refers to mortality. Although Christ was a living, distinct personage at the time of Enos’ encounter with Him, He would not enter the mortal arena, showing Himself “in the flesh” for yet “many years.”

We find it plausible to believe in a God who came to the earth, lived, taught, died and was resurrected. Enos, however, believed in a God who would at a future day come to the earth, live, teach, die and be resurrected. To him Christ was future. Further, Christ would come to the land from which Enos’ ancestors fled. Perhaps we ought to give Enos more credit for his faith in the future ministry of the Lord than we do to ourselves for believing in an historic Savior. However, faith is the same difficult struggle for anyone living at any time. We do not have it easier; how many of us have the testimony of an Enos? He did not have it harder; for he struggled to move from belief, to faith, to knowledge in the same upward climb required of any of us. We find once again the Gospel to be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We see how the Lord can say: “For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things[.]” (D&C 78: 6.) We are subject to the same measure, all weighed in the same balance. None of the ancients had the advantage; none of us the disadvantage. What are you doing with your earthly probation? Would you like to pass the same test given to all mortals? That is entirely up to you. It is little wonder the Lord’s parables about workers in His vineyard were rewarded “equally” for their earthly labors. “Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” (Matt. 20: 12.) Christ must have loved teaching this parable. From an eternal perspective we all bear the same burden, face the same trials, and are measured against the same standard. We are encouraged to add to our faith until we obtain the perfect day, have our calling and election made sure, and like the ancients find ourselves companions of Holy Beings. The only permission needed is within the reach of even the least of us. We do not need to be called by Jerusalem (or Salt Lake), because the invitation comes from heaven itself and is extended to every one of us.

The verse concludes with the remarkable comment from the Lord to Enos: “wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.” What a fascinating comment! The idea captured in by the word “whole” is akin to the idea of being completed. Enos is no longer a work in process. He has run a good race, finished the course, and can enter into the rest of the Lord. He need have no further apprehension about his own eternal state. Anxiety over death and the eternities to follow are removed. Enos is whole. What a wonderful gift Enos has left us in this testimony!

What then, does someone who is “whole” concern himself with? Even though whole and at rest, are there other anxieties to occupy you?

Beloved Enos

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