Enos 1:21 - 1:27

Enos 1:21 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses.

Enos records that the Nephites, in contrast, were an agricultural people raising crops and domesticated animals for food and raiment. They even had horses.
[Wonder if the horse was used as transportation or in farming. Was it also used in warfare such as in a Calvary? Were they used to pull wagons and such? Did the Nephites look upon the horse in the same way as it was back in Palestine? Loyalty rode only on donkeys not horses as illustrated by Christ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse.]

Enos 1:22 And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand.

However, in spite, of their domestic nature, it was hard to get the Nephites to live according to gospel principles. Many prophets were among them preaching against their wickedness. It was difficult to understand why they resisted living as they should when they could see how the Lamanites were turning out not having the gospel.

Enos 1:23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them.

It was so difficult to get the Nephites to live the gospel that the prophets were literally having to preach hell fire and damnation to get them to live an semblance of gospel principles. They could not make any impression on the people unless they told them that they were in immediate danger of destruction either the Lamanites or fire down from heaven. They had to be blunt and not pull any punches when talking to the Nephites. It was not a pleasant job to write such an indictment of his people, but that’s how it was.

Enos 1:24 And I saw wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the course of my days.

Enos never saw peace in his entire life. It was a continuous warfare between the Lamanites and Nephites.

Enos 1:25 And it came to pass that I began to be old, and an hundred and seventy and nine years had passed away from the time that our father Lehi left Jerusalem.

Enos is now old and it has been 179 years since Lehi left Jerusalem.
[It seems that a knowledge of Jerusalem is kept alive among the people. Many peoples of the world have little or no idea from where their ancestors came from. I guess this is testament to the importance of keeping records and histories. Knowledge is quickly lost if not written down or there is no desire to keep a history of the goings on of a people of civilization.]

Enos 1:26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.

Enos realizes his death is imitate and can say with thankfulness that he has preached about Christ all his life. That in spite of the little effect it has seem to have on the Nephites, it has brought him peace of mind and joy to know what great things his has in store for him by the Lord. [Good example of being happy with oneself regardless of the wickedness around him. We don’t have to blame ourselves for the condition of those around us even if we may have not been the greatest example to them. As long as we are trying and it is our desire to serve others we are ok.]

Enos 1:27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.

Enos looks forward to being with Christ in the next world. He looks forward to the resurrection and being judged by the Lord. He looks forward to being able to live with the Lord through the eternities and associating with his family in the mansions of heaven.