“And There Were Exceedingly Many Prophets Among Us. And the People Were a Stiffnecked People, Hard to Understand.”

Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.

It is significant that Enos felt no great jealousy at the presence of these "exceedingly many prophets" among the Nephites. They were welcome, expected and accepted. There was no centralized authority jealous of anyone's right to claim prophetic inspiration. Instead, at this point the Nephite people (Enos included) allowed for and accepted diverse prophetic callings. This is similar to Moses' tolerance and acceptance of others' right to receive revelation and to prophesy openly in the camp of Israel. Enos' record reminds us of how widely the Lord spreads gifts among His people. Today the gifts are spread beyond any central control. However, those who have gifts are oftentimes discouraged from making them known to others. This is particularly true of the prophetesses of our day. The only one we generally acknowledge is Eliza R. Snow. There have been and there are many others. Unlike Paul and Enos, we are oftentimes fearful and uncomfortable about gifted individuals and therefore discourage them. We are the poorer for it.

These "exceedingly many prophets" were working among a "stiffnecked people" who were "hard to understand," meaning, unwilling to comprehend. How wonderful this is to contemplate. Instead of stiffneckedness sending the Lord's gifts into immediate exile, it provokes an outpouring of prophecy to reclaim the wayward. These people do not immediately forfeit God's inspiration because of their unworthiness. He does not abandon them. He renews the call to them through an "exceedingly many prophets." What a wonderful and timely message in Enos. God cares for His people. He works to reach out to them. In the end, it is only the persistent rejection of God which severs the link between God and His people.

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Rev. 19: 10.) We should encounter many prophets and prophetesses among any group of believers who claim to be Saints. When we do not, it is likely because our claims to sainthood have not been mirrored by living the life of a Saint.

Beloved Enos

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