A Strange Thing in the Land: The Return of the Book of Enoch, Part 8

Title

A Strange Thing in the Land: The Return of the Book of Enoch, Part 8

Magazine

Ensign

Publication Type

Magazine Article

Year of Publication

1976

Authors

Nibley, Hugh W. (Primary)

Date Published

December 1976

Volume

6

Issue Number

12

Terms of use

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Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

The purpose of these articles is (1) to call attention to some of the long-ignored aspects of the Joseph Smith account of Enoch in the book of Moses and in the Inspired Version of Genesis and (2) to provide at the same time some of the evidence that establishes the authenticity of that remarkable text. Contemporary learning offered few checks to the imagination of Joseph Smith; the enthusiasm of his followers presented none. Yet, though free to roam at will over a boundless plain, the Prophet never once in his account of Enoch strays from the narrow and exacting path that later Enoch texts have so clearly marked. In his version, every essential element of the Enoch story as we now know it turns up, yet he never strays out of bounds—what he says and what he does not say about Enoch are equally remarkable considering his situation.
 
To present and discuss all the ancient parallels to the Joseph Smith Enoch would require a work of immense scope, but such is not necessary for our purpose. It is enough to show by one or two examples in each case that even the most extravagant passages in the Joseph Smith version may all be matched by ancient texts—the Prophet is never alone. Many important questions, such as the real age of the Enoch tradition, how the various texts are related, their relevance to modern life, etc., must be left till later. For the present the message and the bona fides of the Joseph Smith account of Enoch are our sole concern.
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Pearl of Great Price
Book of Enoch

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