For a self-described slow speaker, Enoch became an extraordinary orator. The Lord’s instruction to him was to simply get started. “Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled,” He said (Moses 6:32). That blessing was probably fulfilled in two ways, over two different periods of time. In the short run, he may have been surprised to discover that he did have something to say. In the long run, his confidence in public speaking undoubtedly grew.
I love how the Lord gave him an opportunity to practice. As Enoch stood in His presence and talked with Him “face to face” (Moses 7:4), God showed him two groups of people. He could have simply told Enoch that these people would go to war against one another. Instead, He said, “Prophesy.” Enoch opened his mouth as instructed and described the coming war, learning as he taught (Moses 7:7).
Shortly after, Enoch’s people faced an invading enemy. By now, Enoch’s words were so powerful that they could command the elements:
He spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.
Moses 7:13
Why words, exactly? Why couldn’t Enoch control the elements in some other way, with thoughts or some kind of action? I don’t know the answer, but I think it’s significant that God created the world by a series of verbal commands. Why did He say, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), instead of merely summoning it into existence nonverbally? Perhaps it’s because words externalize our thoughts, converting them into reality. Perhaps language represents commitment and thus becomes evidence of faith.
Mormon similarly described God moving mountains and hills “by the power of his voice” (Helaman 12:8-17).
And when Jesus promised that we can all perform miracles by our faith, He likewise described those miracles being summoned by our words:
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matthew 17:20
God’s unlimited power is available to those who have faith, and it is activated by their words. (See also Helaman 10:8-10.)
Today, I will open my mouth. I will demonstrate my confidence in God by saying words that would please Him. I will trust that miracles will follow as I speak in faith.
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