The Nephites observed the Law of Moses but were lacking in faith, they were hard to make understand Gospel principles, they were wayward and stiffnecked. The terrors of the world had to be sounded in their ears more often than the gentler strains of Gospel invitation. They were blessed with many prophets, whose sermons, however, were harsh, threatening wars and desolation, death and destruction, to keep them on the straight path. Enos had seen wars between the two peoples and he knew what was in store for them if they apostatized.
Jacob, as has been pointed out, was the elder of two sons born to Lehi in the Arabian wilderness between the years 600 and 590 B.C. Enos, in closing his record states that 179 years had passed since Lehi left Jerusalem. Supposing Enos was born when Jacob was thirty years old, his age when he wrote his record would then be 143 years. But we have no direct statement either of the time of his birth or the exact time of his death. All we know is that when he left this earth, he gave the records and the other sacred things into the hands of his son, Jarom.
Enos ends his writings with his personal testimony. He says that he has rejoiced in it all his life and that he did so above all the world and the things of the world. He says that he was wrought upon by the Spirit of God to preach and to prophesy unto this people and to declare the truth of Christ's coming among them. This he did and then he says, "I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest."