I am on my 76th reading of the Book of Mormon.  I was astounded, as I read the book of Enos, to gain a whole new perspective on that book.  Until now I have imagined Enos praying all day and into the night, and then receiving three revelations in quick succession, all on the same night.

This is not the case.  Enos received a remission of his sins that night in the forest, but the next two revelations came later, after “many long strugglings.”  (v. 11).  After that first revelation he “began to feel” (v. 9) desires for the welfare of the Nephites.  The revelation about them came later.

Enos then “prayed and labored with all diligence” (v. 12) about the Lamanites and the records.  He cried unto the Lord “continually” (v. 15) until he received assurance from the Lord that the records would be preserved.

How interesting it is that it took 76 readings of the book before I came to understand this.  Enos didn’t simply pray all day and into the night on one occasion to receive his revelations.  He prayed and labored with all diligence (v. 12) continually (v. 15) over a long period of time before he received the assurances and answers that he sought.

This is a model that we should follow in our prayers.