THE PATRIARCHS

 

Between the more prominent patriarchs like Seth, Enoch, Noah and Abraham, there are those which are less prominent but of equal importance because they carried the priesthood line throughout all the generations of time. They are: Enos, Cannan, Mahalel, Jared, Methuselah, Lamech, Shen, Arphaxad, Salah….

Moses tells us that a book of remembrance was kept from the time of Seth, “in which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration.” (Moses 6:5). I would love to know what these other patriarchs wrote in this book: their views, their sacred experiences, their faith and challenges.

This book is not even mentioned in the Old Testament. The chronology of the patriarchs receives only a mention in Genesis 5. It starts with Adam and within a matter of one chapter arrives at Noah. It basically only states how long these men had lived. Enoch is the only one that gets a longer mention and that of only 4 verses that say how long he lived, that he walked with God and that God took him (v 21-24). We know nothing from the Old Testament about him as a man, his calling, his city, his return to earth in the Millenium.

This brings me to my point….modern-day revelation, namely the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price. This is what we know further about the Book of Remembrance thanks to these books of scripture: Enoch and his people wrote in it (Moses 6:46); it was brought to America by the Jaredites which is a good indication that it survived the Flood  (Ether 8:9); it was possessed and cherished by Abraham (Abraham 1:31). 

We know that the first five books of the Old Testament were written by Moses. They are collectively called the ‘Pentateuch’. Such vital information was lost from these five books that the Lord in His mercy revealed it to Joseph Smith from June 1830 to February 1831. When I think of all the knowledge and insight I have received about Enoch alone from the Book of Moses, I want to weep with gratitude for the power of revelation and especially for the Prophet Joseph Smith.

From the beginning of time, God has called prophets to cry repentance, to direct the work of God and to lead people to Christ. They have been listened to, followed, rejected, and even stoned and killed (Matthew 23:37).

Generally, when the world looks back on the prophets of old, they do not remember them as humans with flaws and imperfections. They revere them because they were rejected, reviled and killed and because they are canonized in the scriptures……except for Joseph. It would seem that the very jaws of hell opened when he was called to be the prophet of this dispensation but what a witness he became of the burden these men carry that even leads them to death!

I look forward to the day when Joseph will be recognised as much as the prophets of old, when people will have a witness of his divine calling. I will bow in reverence before him that day and my gratitude will know no bounds for giving us a glimpse of heaven through the revelations he was given. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Translation Process by LDS Art)