In the fifth chapter of Genesis, amid a rather prosaic recitation of the generations of Adam, we find this scriptural gem:
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24, emphasis added).
Terse as it is, the phrase "walked with God" might seem cryptic at first glance — until we begin to see it as the imagery it is and try to discover the underlying meaning.
What does it mean to "walk with God"?
The Topical Guide in the LDS edition of the scriptures lists 139 passages containing the expression walk with God or variations thereof. What emerges from a study of these passages is the idea of seeking His companionship through the constant presence of His Holy Spirit; of endeavoring to become one with God and Christ, of striving to do the will of the Father at all times and in all circumstances.
It appears from the above passage that Enoch became so accomplished at walking with God that he was eventually translated. Moreover, from the Pearl of Great Price we learn that not only Enoch, but "all his people walked with God," that in this they attained such a degree of purity that their entire city Zion was taken up into His bosom. (See Moses 7:69.)
As successor to Moses, Joshua enjoined his people "to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Joshua 22:5, emphasis added).
Pertaining to the latter days, in a revelation through the prophet Ezekiel of the gathering of Israel, the Lord declared: "I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
"That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Ezekiel 11:19-20, emphasis added). From this, it may be inferred that walking with God involves receiving His holy ordinances in humility and entering into the associated covenants with Him. These, of course, would include baptism and the ordinances of salvation that are received in the temple.
In this dispensation, the Lord has given this instruction regarding those who are received into the Church through baptism: "And the members shall manifest before the church, and also before the elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy scriptures — walking in holiness before the Lord" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:69, emphasis added).
And the Word of Wisdom, given in 1833, promises health, strength, endurance, wisdom, "treasures of knowledge" and protection to those who keep it, "walking in obedience to the commandments of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 89:18).
How appropriate that the Lord so often would apply the imagery of walking to obeying His commandments, keeping His covenants and serving Him. Walk is an active verb implying movement, effort, performance, progress. Thus, it is not sufficient just to eschew evil, though that is vital. King Benjamin taught that Christ's people are to be "steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works" (Mosiah 5:15).
The experience of King Benjamin's listeners, who after hearing his address were spiritually begotten of God, teaches us that those who undergo this "mighty change" in heart in the first place have "no more disposition to do evil," and, in the second place, desire "to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). Both components of a spiritual rebirth are included in walking with God.
All around us, we observe good men and women who, in quiet, unassuming ways, manifest a godly walk. It is exemplified by the Relief Society compassionate service leader who cultivates a spiritual sensitivity to the particular needs of those around her and, under the direction of the Relief Society presidency and bishopric, organizes efforts to meet those needs.
It is reflected in the efforts of the teacher who, having studied and prepared prayerfully and diligently, trusts in the Holy Spirit to make known "in the very moment" what is to be imparted to the class. (See Doctrine and Covenants 24:6; 100:6.)
And it is manifest by the bishop who tenderly and earnestly encourages his flock to come unto Christ.
May it be said of us that in thought, word and deed, we, like the people of the city of Enoch, "walked with God."
