The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(3/1/97)
Patient endurance permits us to cling to our faith in the Lord and our faith in
His timing when we are being tossed about by the surf of circumstance. Even when
a seeming undertow grasps us, somehow in the tumbling we are being carried
forward, though battered and bruised. When, for the moment, we ourselves are not
being stretched on a particular cross, we ought to be at the foot of someone
else's—full of empathy and proffering spiritual refreshment. With enduring
comes a willingness, therefore, to "press forward" (2 Nephi
31:20) even when we are bone weary and would much rather pull off to
the side of the road. Hence, one prophet was especially commended by the Lord
for his unwearyingness (see Helaman 10:4; 15:6).
— Neal A. Maxwell, Men and Women of Christ, p.70
(3/2/97)
Though hated by all men; though the whole world oppose them; though every power
of earth and hell combine to do them ill—yet the apostles (and all the saints)
must endure in righteousness all their days to merit celestial salvation. They
must `press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness
of hope, and a love of God and of all men, feasting upon the word of
Christ" (2 Ne. 31:20-21), doing good and working
righteousness, if they are to gain eternal life. "I will prove you in all
things," the Lord says to his saints, "whether you will abide in my
covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. For if ye will not
abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me." (D&C
98:14-15.) — Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Vol.2, p.319
(3/3/97)
I would like to share an experience of faith. Being the only child, Elder
Hermelindo Coy said goodbye to his mother and left for the first time in his
life his small village in the mountains of Senahu, Guatemala. He entered the
Missionary Training Center the fourteenth of March 1991.
Although he had been a member of the Church for only two years and also very
timid about talking to people, his determination to serve was great. His formal
education was less than five years of elementary school in his native language
of Kekch. Spanish, the official language of Guatemala, was foreign to him.
During his mission he learned to live with pain in his leg. He rarely
complained. In August 1992 he noticed, that in addition to the increase in the
pain, something abnormal about his knee. He had a medical exam--the diagnosis:
bone cancer. A more careful exam revealed cancer in the liver, lungs, and
lymphatic system; in other words, his illness was terminal. He did not
understand the nature of the illness nor its seriousness. With the help of a
translator and using examples from the farm life with which he was familiar, he
understood that he had little time to live.
He never asked, Why is this happening to me? He did not lament, nor express
negative feelings. He was obedient to all that was require of him.
He was asked if he would like to return home, but he asked to remain in the
mission and serve as long as possible, even until his death. By October of the
same year, he walked with difficulty, requiring the use of a cane. He could only
work a few hours each day. By December h was unable to walk. For the first time
he was discouraged because He could not proselyte. His worry was always who
would take care of his mother after he died.
In one of his visits, the mission president asked him to teach more of the basic
doctrine to his mother, who, along with mission nurses, was providing
twenty-four-hour care. When he taught the plan of salvation to his mother in his
native tongue, his face radiated assurance and light Elder Coy was understanding
with power and conviction what he was teaching.
As his strength declined, he placed his complete trust in the Lord. On one
occasion when the pain was very strong, he expressed in prayer, "Heavenly
Father, I do not know the day nor the hour that I will die, but I want to know
soon from thee about my new assignment." He died in February 1993. His
death blessed all the missionaries, leaders, members, and even nonmembers who
learned of his courage to serve and endure to the end. — Carlos H. Amado,
General Conference, October 1993
(3/4/97)
The Apostle Paul, in his second epistle to Timothy, declared, "I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7.)
Keeping the faith to the end has always been our charge. In the eighteenth
section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord admonishes, "And as many as
repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the
end, the same shall be saved." (V. 22.) I shall never forget
the impression left upon me when President Joseph Fielding Smith, in his
ninety-fifth year, exclaimed, "I hope to endure to the end in this
life." Today, perhaps more than ever before, our faith is challenged on all
fronts. This should not surprise us as it is part of God's plan. As Abraham
proved himself to the Lord with unwavering faith when he took his son Isaac to
the mountain to be sacrificed, we also must prove our devotion, our endurance,
and our faith to our Heavenly Father. — Richard C. Edgley, General Conference,
April 1993
(3/5/97)
There is no retirement from the service of the Lord. We believe in eternal
progression. We should continually grow spiritually throughout our lives. The
gospel challenges us to endure to the end. The word endure has an interesting
connotation. We seem to equate it with suffering. I was interested to discover
that endure comes from the Latin word indurare, which means "to
harden, to steel, make lasting." I like one of the definitions of the word
endure found in the Random House Dictionary. It defines endure as "to have
or gain continued or lasting acknowledgment or recognition, as of worth, merit,
or greatness." When I think of the supernal joy I have experienced during
my ministry, I hope those rich spiritual adventures are not ended. I know they
will not be if I accept the opportunities to serve that lie ahead. — Robert L.
Backman, General Conference, October 1992
(3/6/97)
I know that each of us has much to do. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the
tasks we face. But if we keep our priorities in order, we can accomplish all
that we should. We can endure to the end regardless of temptations, problems,
and challenges. Those who remain faithful will receive God's greatest blessing,
eternal life, and the privilege of living with our Heavenly Father and his
Beloved Son in the celestial kingdom. Elder Marion G. Romney said, "When
earth life is over and things appear in their true perspective, we shall more
clearly see ... that the fruits of the gospel are the only objectives worthy of
life's full efforts" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1949, p. 39). — Joseph
B. Wirthlin, General Conference, October 1990
(3/7/97)
An obvious parallel between life and a marathon is the necessity to run
diligently and endure to the end. Among his final words to his people, Nephi
told them: "And now.... after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow
path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; . . . Ye must
press forward with a steadfastness in Christ . . . and endure to the end"
(2 Nephi 31:19-20). I think of this promise of the Lord: "But they that
wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not
faint" (Isaiah 40:31). You have that promise. My dear young friends, I pray
that the Lord will guide and strengthen each of you in running your personal
marathon. Then you can say, as Paul wrote to Timothy, "I have fought a good
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). I
know that you can live righteous lives and, with the help of the Lord, do all
that you should do. — Joseph B. Wirthlin, General Conference, October 1989
(3/8/97)
To those who are doing the commonplace work of the world but are wondering about
the value of their accomplishments; to those who are the workhorses of this
Church, who are furthering the work of the Lord in so many quiet but significant
ways; to those who are the salt of the earth and the strength of the world and
the backbone of each nation--to you we would simply express our admiration. If
you endure to the end, and if you are valiant in the testimony of Jesus, you
will achieve true greatness and will live in the presence of our Father in
Heaven. — Howard W. Hunter, General Conference, April 1982
(3/26/01)
"We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem
so arduous and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after
the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love him and keep
his commandments. It includes thrones, kingdoms, principalities, powers, and
dominions. It is the end for which we are to endure. It is the eternal
perfection that God has in store for each of us." — Russell M. Nelson,
"Perfection Pending," Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 88
(3/27/01)
"The Apostle Paul spoke from considerable personal experience when
observing that 'no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous' (Heb. 12:11). You and I are not expected to pretend chastening is
pleasant, but we are expected to 'endure it well' (D&C 121:8). Only
afterward is 'the peaceable fruit of righteousness' enjoyed by those who 'are
exercised thereby' (Heb. 12:11). But what demanding calisthenics!" — Neal
A. Maxwell, "Enduring Well," Ensign, Apr. 1997, p. 8
(3/28/01)
"In sickness, with its attendant pain, patience is required. If the only
perfect man who ever lived—even Jesus of Nazareth—was called upon to endure
great suffering, how can we, who are less than perfect, expect to be free of
such challenges?" — Thomas S. Monson, "Patience—A Heavenly
Virtue," Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 59
(3/29/01)
"Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote: 'No pain that we suffer, no trial that we
experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such
qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all
that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our
characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and
charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God, … and it is through
sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we
come here to acquire' (quoted in Improvement Era, Mar. 1966, 211)." —
Robert D. Hales, "Healing Soul and Body," Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 16
(3/30/01)
"Let us not presume that because the way is at times difficult and
challenging, our Heavenly Father is not mindful of us. He is rubbing off our
rough edges and sensitizing us for our great responsibilities ahead. May His
blessings be upon us spiritually, that we may have a sweet companionship with
the Holy Ghost, and that our footsteps might be guided along paths of truth and
righteousness. And may each of us follow the Lord’s comforting counsel: 'Be
patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am
with thee, even unto the end of thy days' (D&C 24:8)." — James E.
Faust, "The Blessings of Adversity," Ensign, Feb. 1998, p. 7
(1/11/04)
"Your responsibility to endure is uniquely yours. But you are never alone.
I testify that the lifting power of the Lord can be yours if you will 'come unto
Christ' and 'be perfected in him.' You will 'deny yourselves of all
ungodliness.' And you will 'love God with all your might, mind and strength.' (Moro. 10:32)"
- Russell M. Nelson, "Endure and Be Lifted Up," General Conference,
April 1997
(2/8/04)
"We are taught in the scriptures that there must be opposition in all
things (see 2 Ne. 2:11). It is not a question of if we are ready
for the tests; it is a matter of when. We must prepare to be ready for tests
that will present themselves without warning." - Robert D. Hales, "Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure,"
Ensign, May 1998, p. 76
(4/11/04)
"Because Christ's eyes were unfailingly fixed on the future, He could
endure all that was required of Him, suffer as no man can suffer except it be
'unto death,' (Mosiah 3:7.)
as King Benjamin said, look upon the wreckage of individual lives and the
promises of ancient Israel lying in ruins around Him and still say then and now,
'Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' (John 14:27.) How could He do
this? How could He believe it? Because He knows that for the faithful,
things will be made right soon enough. He is a King; He speaks for the crown; He
knows what can be promised. He knows that 'the Lord... will be a
refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.... For the needy shall
not alway[s] be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for
ever.' (Ps. 9:9, 18;
emphasis added.) He knows that 'the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken
heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.' He knows that 'the Lord
redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be
desolate.' (Ps. 34:18, 22.)"
- Jeffrey R. Holland, "An
High Priest of Good Things to Come," Ensign, November 1999, p. 37
(4/27/04)
"The great struggle of life is to overcome the natural man, with his
carnality and selfishness, and to become a Saint of God through the Atonement of
Christ. It is not a struggle once won forever finished, but a battle that must
be engaged every day that we live. As Nephi said, '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; italics
added.) - Alexander B. Morrison, "Visions of Zion" [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1993], p. 20
(5/4/04)
"...the test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure
difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing
that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to
keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and
whatever the tumult around us. We have that clear understanding because the
restored gospel makes the plan of happiness so plain." - Henry B. Eyring,
"In
the Strength of the Lord," General Conference, April 2004
(9/4/04)
"Simply stated, the Lord’s
counsel to one who has 'commenced' properly and faithfully is, 'Continue as you
have commenced.' We could follow the example of Nephi, a son of Helaman, who
after laboring diligently to teach and live righteously, had decided to give up
and return home because the people refused to accept his counsel and to repent.
As he approached his home, the voice of the Lord came to him. The Lord reminded
Nephi of the blessings that would result from the unwearyingness with which he
had labored and taught the people and with which he had kept the commandments of
God. With renewed vigor and determination, Nephi turned from his home and
returned to his labors to continue as he had commenced. (See Hel. 10:2–12.)" - Rex
D. Pinegar, “We
Need to Continue in Righteousness,” Ensign, November 1974, p. 44
(1/31/05)
"There comes back to us more clearly than ever before the application of
the words of the Master as he closed his Sermon on the Mount, that only that
person or that church (meaning a congregation of individuals, of course) which
will stand through these testing years, will be that which is founded upon the
rock, as the Master declared, by hearing and obeying the fundamental and
never-changing principles upon which the true church is founded, when the winds
of delusion blow, or when the floods of filth and wickedness engulf us, or when
the rains of criticism or derision are rained down upon those who are holding
fast to the truth." - Harold B. Lee, "Watch,
That Ye May Be Ready," Ensign, Dec. 1971, pp. 29-30
(3/20/05)
"We tend to think only in terms of our endurance, but it is God's patient
long-suffering which provides us with our chances to improve, affording us
urgently needed developmental space or time. (See Alma
42:4-5.)" - Neal A. Maxwell, "Endure
It Well," Ensign, May 1990, p. 33
(7/10/05)
"As you pray, occasionally take a
personal inventory to see how you measure up in your righteousness, in meeting
the standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We each can know for ourselves, as
the Lord knows, where we need to improve. We must hold to the standards. If we
have advanced in material, outward things, how are we doing inwardly? Are our
lives acceptable to the Lord? Are we willing to acknowledge our sins and then
make the effort to forsake them, repent, and make the course correction that
will return us to the straight and narrow path?
"I know that each of us has much to do. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the
tasks we face. But if we keep our priorities in order, we can accomplish all
that we should. We can endure to the end regardless of temptations, problems,
and challenges. Those who remain faithful will receive God's greatest blessing,
eternal life, and the privilege of living with our Heavenly Father and His
Beloved Son in the celestial kingdom." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The
Straight and Narrow Way," Ensign, Nov. 1990, 66
(10/29/05)
"As you build your lives in obedience to the gospel and
strive to achieve your goals, do not become discouraged by temporary setbacks
and disappointments. Remember that 'it must needs be, that there is an
opposition in all things.' (2
Ne. 2:11) You will grow and learn by overcoming obstacles. The Lord has
admonished all of us to 'keep [His] commandments and endure to the end.' (D&C
14:7)" - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Live
in Obedience," Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.39
(10/30/05)
"No matter how much we may be discouraged or how often we are
set back, we must begin again and again, if necessary, and earnestly pursue the
purposes of life, full of faith for the future. Enduring to the end is
exceedingly important. Pursuing the opportunities and the duties of every day is
exceedingly important, and repenting while there is still time to repent is also
exceedingly important." - Richard L. Evans, "Conference Report," October 1950,
Afternoon Meeting, p.141
4/19/06
"We are given this insight in
Doctrine and Covenants 90:24:
'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work
together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.' This stunning promise from the
Lord that all things shall work together for our good is repeated many times in
the scriptures, particularly to people or prophets who are suffering through the
trials of their own life stories.
"I sense that this promise comes from a tender, caring Father who desires to
bless us and give us reason to hope through our earthly journey. Knowing that
eventually all things will work together for our good will help us endure
affliction like the faithful people from the scriptures who knew of His promises
and trusted in them, 'having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and
embraced them' (Heb. 11:13).
We too can embrace this promise." - Susan W. Tanner, "All
Things Shall Work Together for Your Good," Ensign (CR), May 2004, p.104
4/29/06
"An obvious parallel between life and a marathon is the necessity to run
diligently and endure to the end. Among his final words to his people, Nephi
told them: 'And now,... after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I
would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay;... Ye must press forward
with a steadfastness in Christ... and endure to the end.' (2
Ne. 31:19-20.) I think of this promise of the Lord: 'But they that wait upon
the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.' (Isa.
40:31.) You have that promise." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Running
Your Marathon," Ensign (CR), November 1989, p.73
12/8/06
"Our late President Heber J. Grant told us
how to endure to the end when he said:
"'Let us do the will of our Father in heaven today—we will then be prepared for
the duties of tomorrow and for the eternities to come.'
"Christ repeatedly emphasized the fact that the gospel is one of work and
service. To gain blessings, we must be doers of the word and not hearers only.
In Matt. 7:21 we read: Not
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
"This means if we are to gain salvation, exaltation, and eternal life we must
live in accordance with the principles of the gospel. We must love and forgive
all men and keep the commandments of God." - O. Leslie Stone, "Love
and Forgive One Another," Ensign (CR), January 1974, p.38
12/14/06
"'And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven' (3 Ne.
12:10). As we climb the steps outlined in the Beatitudes we soon humbly
recognize that our lives are on a higher plane than those who love the things of
this world. And notwithstanding our efforts to share with them gospel truths
that can also elevate their lives, some of them will begin to persecute us and
scoff at our way of life and point mocking fingers at those who have partaken of
the fruits of the gospel (see
1 Ne. 8:26-27).
"The Savior reserved a special blessing for those who would be reviled and
persecuted and falsely accused for His sake: 'Ye shall have great joy and be
exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted
they the prophets who were before you' (3
Ne. 12:11-12)." - Spencer J. Condie, "Your Agency, Handle with Care," p.9
1/23/08
"Moses never entered the promised land.
Joseph Smith never saw Zion redeemed. Some of us may not live long enough to see
the day when the Book of Mormon floods the earth and when the Lord lifts His
condemnation. (See D&C
84:54-58.) But, God willing, I intend to spend all my remaining days in that
glorious effort." - Ezra Taft Benson, "Flooding
the Earth with the Book of Mormon,"
Ensign (CR), November 1988, p.4
12/4/08
"The basic requirements for enduring to
the end include knowing who we are, children of God with a desire to return to
His presence after mortality; understanding the purpose of life, to endure to
the end and obtain eternal life; and living obediently with a desire and a
determination to endure all things, having eternal vision. Eternal vision allows
us to overcome opposition in our temporal state and, ultimately, achieve the
promised rewards and blessings of eternal life." - Robert D. Hales, “Behold, We
Count Them Happy Which Endure,” Ensign (CR), May 1998, p.75
5/30/09
“To think of
enduring to the end as ‘hanging in there,’ doing one’s duty relentlessly, is not
inaccurate. Yet enduring to the end is more than outlasting and surviving,
though it includes those qualities. We are called upon, as was the Prophet
Joseph, to ‘endure it well,’ gracefully, not grudgingly. (D&C 121:8.) We are
also told that we must ‘endure in faith.’ (D&C 101:35.) These dimensions of
enduring are important to note. Likewise, we are asked to endure ‘valiantly.’
(D&C 121:29.)” - Neal A. Maxwell, “Wherefore, Ye Must
Press Forward,” p. 109
2/13/10
“I am
a cross-country and track distance runner. Sometimes three miles on rough
terrain can seem like an eternity. I have learned to endure to the end and to
tolerate hard work and many physical and emotional challenges. Sometimes my mind
screamed to stop and quit the race or the difficult practice, but I had to
mentally and physically endure to the end. I have found that no matter how hard
it was to run a race or finish a tough practice, nothing beats the satisfaction
I get from knowing that I didn’t give up.” - Melanie
Eaton, “The Reward Is Worth the Effort,” Ensign (CR), May 1995, p. 93