It is significant Enos mentions a “covenant” involving the records. God “keepeth covenant” with us. (See e.g., D&C 109: 1.) We discussed that before, but note again here that Enos knew the Lord takes His covenants most seriously. Therefore any covenant to preserve these records would be fulfilled.
Enos’ description again is stated in words which suggest the passing of time. When he writes: “I cried unto him continually” it does not mean a single encounter or petition. It suggests Enos worked on this covenant for some extended period before obtaining the results he desired.
We should not expect our own struggles to be any less. Too often we quickly abandon a petition to God because we do not get the immediate results we want. We are impatient. That is a mistake when dealing with a Lord who wants to teach all His children the virtue of patience. He reminds us repeatedly in the scriptures we need to be patient. (See e.g., Mosiah 3: 19; Alma 13: 28; Alma 17: 11; Alma 20: 29; Alma 26: 28; D&C 6: 1; D&C 9: 3; D&C 11: 19; D&C 24: 8; and D&C 31: 9 among many others.)
It would be a mistake to think Enos had it easier than the rest of us. He accomplished what he did against the very same difficulties each one of us must confront and overcome. There are no exemptions granted to anyone. When we find a record as Enos has left us, we should all rejoice that the path has been successfully trodden by another. There is hope for us all.
The promise of delivering the records to the Lamanites is tied to the “own due time” of the Lord. In this context the “time” refers to the arrival of a prepared people who will accept the records. As it turns out that event is still future. We are working toward it, but have not seen it and will not see it until the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon is published.
The Lord set in motion the fulfillment of the covenant with Joseph Smith. Getting the plates to Joseph, having the plates translated and printed, building an infrastructure to publish the book across the world in many languages, establishing the Church, gathering a people, and finally putting in motion a missionary army to flood the world were necessary preconditions to the covenant actually being completed. It will be completed when the Lamanites assume their responsibilities within the Church itself. As the times of the Gentiles end, and they are swept away from the Americas, the Lamanites will replace the Gentiles and assume responsibility for governing at last. Christ Himself foretold how the corrupt Gentiles occupying this land will be swept away: “Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.” (3 Ne. 20: 16.) There are now forces currently in motion which could fulfill this treading down and tearing in pieces.
This passing of the Gentiles will not be limited to the remnant taking vengeance. The Lord will also participate: “But, behold, I say unto you that before this great day shall come the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath; And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men; And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth. And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not. Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them; And their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me; and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets; And it shall come to pass that the beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air shall devour them up. And the great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall be cast down by devouring fire, according as it is spoken by the mouth of Ezekiel the prophet, who spoke of these things, which have not come to pass but surely must, as I live, for abominations shall not reign.” (D&C 29: 14-21.) While not a pleasant picture, it produces a necessary result. The earth, and in particular the Americas, are intended to be sacred. It is the destiny of this land to be occupied by people who live worthily upon it. At present the earth is full of spiritual pollutions and uncleanness. The Lord guarantees us it will not continue uncorrected. Cleansing the Americas of gross wickedness will require the Gentiles to be swept away. Their time is now passing, as lowering birth rates and shifting demographic figures unmistakenly show.
We read, too: “Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord. And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.” (D&C 112: 24-26.) Latter-day Saints will be corrected by the leading edge of the Lord’s wrath. From those who claim to have much, much is required. Since the Saints claim to know the Lord He will hold them to the standard of actually knowing Him.
The “due time of the Lord” will involve many events which will refine and prepare people to receive power through sacred Priestly rites so they may be preserved in the plagues to come. It would be best if those who now have the Gospel took it more seriously. But if not, we have the promise they will be swept away and replaced by others who will.