Civilization had fallen. The wickedness of Cain had spread throughout the land. Perdition was upon the face of the whole earth. But few of the righteous patriarchs remained. The majority of people had forgotten their relationship to the divine.So few generations separated the people from our first parents, but knowledge of Adam’s teachings had gone from the land. However word went round the land of a wild man who would speak from high places. A man who anointed his eyes with clay to see spirits. He brought a message that offended many men. He was a seer. He was said to have walked with God.
Though many feared this man some sought him out. There was one man in particular named Mahijah, who sought out this wild man and said unto him: Tell us plainly who thou art, and from whence thou comest? He was answered and told by Enoch, the wild man, that he was from Cainan. Enoch told him that he was taught in the ways of God by his father and that he had seen a vision. In that vision he was commanded by God to share a message with all people.
The message Enoch was to share was a message proclaiming mankind's relationship with our Heavenly Father, including our fallen state and our need for a Savior and the importance and symbolism of baptism in God’s plan of salvation for his children. He begins by speaking of the fact that God is the God of all. This realization solidifies the fact that all mankind are brothers and members of the same earthly family. He further illustrates this point by recalling our first parents. He uses Adam as an example in the rest of his teaching.
Enoch then goes into the fact that due to our fallen nature we have no ability to return one day to the presence on our own. He teaches of the necessity of a Savior.He teaches that it is through his Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, which is the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men.
The next idea Enoch teaches is to teach us how we can lay claim on this salvation. He teaches that all men must repent and be born again through baptism. He also speaks of the need for the atonement. The most interesting aspect of what he taught was the symbolism of baptism. I think the primary symbolism of baptism is quite obvious. You must be buried under the water and come back out symbolizing the resurrection. Enoch gives us great insight into the more complex symbolism of baptism. Not only is it a great symbol of death and rebirth but it is also a symbol of physical birth. Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified. This symbolism teaches us that: all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of Him, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, all things bear record of Him.
This amazing symbolism shows us that God really does love his children. Childbirth is no curse but it is a type of the atonement of Christ. We are fallen yes, but we can repent. God loves his children so much he put reminders of his love everywhere. The sun the moon and the stars representing the glory awaiting us in the life to come. The cleansing waters of baptism and the flood, The sanctifying blood of the sacrificial lamb and the Lamb of God, and finally the justifying spirit of promise that seals our unity with God forever. Enoch truly taught things that made the children of men tremble and stand in awe in his presence.
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