s known of this dramatic story or the prophet who stood at its center. To the traditional Christian world, Enoch was an enigmatic figure at whose importance the Bible merely hinted (see chart).
             The History of the Church tells us that much of the information the Prophet Joseph Smith restored about Enoch came in response to the Saints' questions concerning books mentioned in the Bible but no longer extant. The Prophet assured the Saints that the apostolic Church had had some of these writings. For example, he noted that Jude had quoted from a prophecy of Enoch (see History of the Church, 1:132).
             What the Saints may not have known was that the Lord was already preparing a way to increase their understanding through the Prophet Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible. 1 In December 1830, the Prophet shared with the Saints some of what he had learned. As his history states, "To the joy of the little flock, which in all, from Colesville to Canandaigua, New York, numbered about seventy members, did the Lord reveal the following doings of olden times, from the prophecy of Enoch" (see History of the Church, 1:132-33). 2 This material is now chapter 7 of the book of Moses.
             The restored text furnishes us with a number of important details concerning not only Enoch's ministry but, more significant, his teachings. These teachings highlight the importance of his mission and emphasize the need of the people of his day-as well as our own-to repent.
             When the Lord called Enoch, he explained that the people "have foresworn themselves, and, by their oaths, they have brought upon themselves death; and a hell I have prepared for them, if they repent not" (Moses 6:29). Knowing what could happen to them, the Lord commanded Enoch to "prophesy unto this people, and say unto them-Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them" (Moses 6:27). The evils th...