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Enduring to the End
Enduring to the end means enduring faithfully in the covenants we have made until the end of our lives.
Enduring to the end ensures eternal life
Once we have been baptized and confirmed, we must continue on the path that leads to eternal life. Jesus revealed the following promise to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” 1
Enduring to the end in faithfulness is to enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
Enduring to the end means doing our best to remain free of sin so we can enjoy the continuing gift of the Holy Ghost. By faithfully following the gospel path--faith, repentance, making and keeping covenants, and receiving the Holy Ghost--we qualify for eternal life.
Of enduring to the end, an apostle, Marion G. Romney said,
“Eternal life is the quality of life which God himself enjoys. The gospel plan, authored by the Father and put into operation by the atonement of Jesus Christ, brings eternal life within the reach of every man. The Lord gave this assurance when he said, "... if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life,..." 2
Repenting and enduring to the end
No one is perfect and we will make mistakes, even after baptism. How, then, is enduring to the end possible? We must continually repent throughout our lives.
“Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.” 3
When we truly repent, the Lord forgives us. Moreover, we rely on our special gift of the Holy Ghost to warn us of the impending danger of sin, which might come as the result of bad thoughts or actions. The Holy Ghost acts as our conscience to help us continually monitor our ideas and deeds. If we stumble and sin, he pricks our conscience and encourages us to repent.
The sacrament and enduring to the end
In addition to sincere repentance, enduring to the end involves consistently renewing our covenants by partaking of the sacrament. Like baptism, partaking of the sacrament with a broken heart and contrite spirit cleanses us of sin.
Because “no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God,” 4 we must retain a remission of our sins, which remission we received at baptism. The only prescribed ordinance for retaining a remission of sins is the sacrament. Repentance is not enough. The ordinance of the sacrament is designed for the renewal of our baptismal covenant that results in renewed remission of sins.
Therefore, through the constant process of monitoring our thoughts and actions with the help of the Holy Ghost, genuinely repenting, and sincerely renewing our covenants by partaking of the sacrament do we accomplish 'enduring to the end.' Ultimately, enduring to the end means never giving up on this process of sanctification.
Enduring to the end is pressing forward in faith
The Book of Mormon contains this promise concerning enduring to the end:
Wherefore, ye must 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. 5
God’s gospel plan is truly good news. The gospel encompasses all the necessary covenants and ordinances to see us through this world and bless us with eternal life in the world to come. The atonement of Jesus Christ makes the gospel plan work. Without Jesus Christ, we could neither escape the consequences of our sins nor raise our bodies from the grave to live gloriously and with perfection in the presence of God. Enduring to the end in faithfulness will be worth the price. The gospel is good news indeed!
Questions about 'Enduring to the End'
- What does 'enduring to the end' mean?
- What is the ultimate blessing for enduring to the end in faithfulness?
- By enduring to the end we qualify for whose constant companionship?
- How does continual repentance help us with enduring to the end?
- What is a purpose of the sacrament, and how does worthily partaking of the sacrament help us with enduring to the end?
- Enduring to the end means pressing forward with what?
- Is making and keeping covenants and enduring to the end worth the price?
What should you do now?
If any part of this message rings true, we invite you to take the next steps:
- Request free materials
- Invite missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to visit you and teach you more.
In either case, you have no obligation. But if you have the courage to act, you will discover the greatest revelation and happiness of your life!
References for 'Enduring to the End'
- D&C 14:7
- Elder Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, October 1965, First Day-Morning Meeting, p.20
- Mosiah 26:30
- 3 Nephi 27:19
- 2 Nephi 31:20
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