Endure to the End: "Patient Continuance in Well Doing"

I just finished exercising. In fact, I am still trying to catch my breath. While riding my exercise cycle I was tempted to quit before my planned 30 minute workout was completed. The thought came to me that 15 minutes would be long enough. I could make it up later in the week. Then the thought came to me that I should continue exercising for the full 30 minutes. Thought number two won. I continued for 30 minutes and I'm glad I did. It was a good workout and I feel much better for having done it.

This experience is a microcosm of life. We were sent from the presence of our Heavenly Father to "obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as [heirs] of eternal life" (First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

The scriptures teach us that, “If you keep [God's] commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). Enduring faithfully to the end requires "patient continuance in well doing" (Romans 2:7). One of my favorite Spanish words is "empeño," which means "persistent determination." Making a success of this life requires determination--persistent determination--day in and day out--to do God's bidding.

As President Spencer W. Kimball said, "It cannot be accomplished in little spurts and disconnected efforts. There must be constant and valiant . . . righteous living” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 1982, 29).

In gaining experience, we are subject to adversity. Like the resistance on the wheel of the exercise cycle, adversity provides needed opposition to permit spiritual growth. Sometimes our trials stretch us to the limit of our endurance. We are tempted to stop early, to slacken our faithfulness in keeping God's commandments. We must resist such temptations and press forward with persistent determination, so that we can reap the rewards awaiting us, which are the greatest gifts God can give us. As James has told us, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

It is my prayer that we will "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life" (2 Nephi 31:20).

I testify that as we take upon ourselves the yoke of Christ, he will come to our aid--giving us critical assistance when we need it most. "We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16). The Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, has come to my aid in time of need. I know that he will come to your aid as well, as you feast upon His words and call on Him in faith.