“All the People Hate Me”

When God called Enoch to preach the gospel, Enoch immediately thought of his own weaknesses. Why would people listen to him, he wondered? Here was his immediate response to the call:

Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?

Moses 6:31

Commenting on this verse, Elder David A. Bednar observed:

At the time of Enoch’s call to serve, he became acutely aware of his personal inadequacies and limitations. And I suspect all of us at one time or another in our Church service have felt much like Enoch.

“Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me,” April 2023 general conference

The Lord didn’t contradict any of Enoch’s assertions in His response, even though Enoch may have been exaggerating his weaknesses. Instead, the Lord promised to help him fulfill this assignment:

Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.

Moses 6:32

The Lord didn’t promise that Enoch would become a stellar public speaker. He didn’t promise that the people wouldn’t hate him. He did promise that the people wouldn’t “pierce” him. They wouldn’t be able to prevent him from fulfilling his divinely appointed mission. He also promised that Enoch’s mouth would be filled. He would know what to say, and would be able to say what he needed to say.

Elder Bednar pointed out that these blessings may not have been instantaneous. Enoch’s ability to perform his calling may have increased gradually, as he learned and acted in faith:

Enoch ultimately became a mighty prophet and a tool in God’s hands to accomplish a great work, but he did not start his ministry that way! Rather, his capacity over time was magnified as he learned to abide in and walk with the Son of God.

“Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me,” April 2023 general conference

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant asserts that imposter syndrome—the fear that you are unqualified for your current responsibilities—can actually help you succeed as long as it doesn’t discourage you from trying. Specifically, he explains that this insecurity motivates us to work harder, to work smarter, and to be better learners. “If we never worry about letting other people down,” he says, “we’re more likely to actually do so” (Think Again, pp. 51-52).

When a friend of mine was called to serve as an ecclesiastical leader, he told his mother that he felt terribly inadequate to serve in this new position. He thought she would remind him of his abilities and assure him that his confidence would increase over time. Instead, she said, “Don’t ever lose that feeling of inadequacy, because if you do, you will stop depending on the Lord to help you.”

When Moroni protested in prayer that he was incapable of writing persuasively, God responded, “If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness” (Ether 12:27). He explained that weaknesses can induce humility which in turn lead to faith and miracles.

The fact is that we all have weaknesses, whether we acknowledge them or not. Acknowledging them unlocks the door to God’s power.

Today, I will strive to be more aware of my weaknesses and limitations. I will trust the Lord to help me accomplish my callings in spite of those weaknesses, and I will trust Him to help me overcome those weaknesses in time.