Enos petitioned God to preserve the record, “that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation” (Enos 1:13). Dennis Largey notes that in this instance Enos became part of the fulfillment of one of Nephi’s prophecies concerning the Lamanites and the Book of Mormon:
After my seed [the Nephites] and the seed of my brethren [the Lamanites] shall have dwindled in unbelief, … and after they shall have been brought down low in the dust, even that they are not, yet the words of the righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faithful shall be heard, and all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten. (2 Nephi 26:15)
In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July 1828, the Lord confirmed that in preserving the Book of Mormon plates he had kept his promise and that the information on the plates was intended to bring the Lamanites to a knowledge of the truth: “And for this very purpose are these plates preserved … that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people; And that the Lamanites might … know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ (D&C 3:19-20). [Dennis L. Largey, ”Enos: His Mission and His Message," in The Book of Mormon: Jacob through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy, p. 142]
“Thy Fathers Have Also Required of Me This Thing”
Joseph McConkie and Robert Millet note that in reference to the Book of Mormon prophets who sought the assurance of the Lord that their record would be preserved to come forth to the Lamanites in the last days, the Lord said:
Behold, there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my gospel … And behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people. And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers; yea, and this was their faith--that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions. Now, this is not all--their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess this land; and thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life; yea, that it might be free unto all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be. And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayer will I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up. (D&C 10:45-52).
[Joseph F. McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 101]
“Thy Fathers Have Also Required of Me This Thing”
In Enos 1:16-17, Enos records:
And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time. And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which he made; wherefore my soul did rest. And the Lord said unto me: Thy fathers have also required of me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine. (emphasis added)
According to Victor Ludlow, we might gain some insight into the meaning of these verses by comparing them with the Lord’s great intercessory prayer as recorded in John 17. For the benefit of the reader, a few sample verses follow:
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. (John 17:1-10; emphasis added)
[Victor L. Ludlow, “Scribes and Scriptures,” in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 1, p. 204]