Unit 10: Day 3 - Enos

Even though Enos is only one chapter long, it contains a lesson that I personally can attest to.  I think ever since we were primary, the moment we mention Enos, immediately we can identify to his famous day long prayer.  But there is so much more to this story than to simply encourage us to pray more; I think Enos serves as a great example for us to really seek after the Lord, even as he would describe it as "my soul hungered".

I think we've all been on those few family road trips or long trips where our eating schedule gets thrown off.  Even to a point where we built up this hunger that is so intense that you feel like you can eat an entire turkey by yourself.  Enos feels that same intensity regarding his soul.  In verse 2 and 3 Enos speaks of desiring a remission of his sins.  I often wondered what those sins may have been.  Were they big serious ones? Or something small and insignificant?  But does that really matter?  A sin is a sin no matter big or small.  But what does matter is that Enos recognized that sin is enough to keep him from returning to his Heavenly Father, hence his sincere and lengthy prayer.  As you read on Heavenly Father replied "thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed".  How would you like to receive that confirmation from Heavenly Father himself?  I can testify to you that if you have felt that same hunger for your soul, with enough sincerity and humbleness, you will receive the same confirmation, whether it by the Spirit or from your priesthood leaders. 

But here is part two of the lesson that I feel like that is often left out, after he had received the forgiveness of his sin, what did he desire next?  His heart turn towards the Nephites and Lamanities.  Isn't it funny how repentance works?  It starts with you feeling really bad for yourself, wondering if the Atonement would apply to you.  Then you are forgiven and a sudden surge of hope and happiness fills your heart.  And then you naturally move onto other people and wishes them the same.  See figure below.

I testify to you that I have experienced this firsthand myself.  As a 19 year old young man I was on the fence about my mission.  It was this same hunger that came over me that I all of a sudden feels like some great sin has come upon me and that I simply won't make it back to my Heavenly Father.  I had two option: I can either ignore or seek relief of this hunger else where and leave the Church OR I can address this head on and go straight to the source which is my Heavenly Father.  Now I did not necessarily prayed all day long and heard a voice but over the course of certain period, this thought of "my soul hunger" and looking for the remission of my sin was coursing through my head constantly.  It took effort, both mental and physical effort I must say until one day like a light switch, my burdens was made light.  I still remember that day as I was walking away from the Church building that I've decided to serve the Lord by going on a full time missionary. My thoughts were I would love for other people to feel the same way I feel now; my soul is now full and I want to show them how.  And as I look back at my life I can think of few pivotal decisions that I've made in my life that has brought me to this point.  That day as I was walking out of the church building was certainly one of them.