2 Nephi 30-31

(February 10, 2014)
Enduring to the end is a somewhat interesting topic.  You would think, having had a firm witness of the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that enduring to the end would not be a difficult matter.  After all, any difficulties that we experience were minimal compared to the bright hope that will last an eternity.  Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?  Murmuring is an irrational response in someone with a testimony.

And yet, enduring to the end is still difficult.  The strength of our conversion dissipates in time – leaving, in the end, only the knowledge that we have gained.  But this knowledge is not enough to carry us through – it is one thing to know that, say, smoking kills but that isn’t enough to stop smoking.  It is one thing to know we must be kind, but when hurt feelings develop unkind words are spoken and cannot be taken back, and we realize that we have fallen short of the knowledge that we have.

For a long time I mistakenly believed that sin was a result of a lack of faith.  But I have become convinced that is not the case – faith is a necessary component of obedience but also its source.  Obedience, instead, is a trait that must be developed over the course of time as our faith (and the Atonement) empower us to grind away the rough edges that lead to sin.  This grinding is a painful process, and can only occur if we are willing.  As the grinder works on our soul, and we feel the pain that comes from life, we may feel to call out for mercy and relief from our pain, but it is only by that continual process that we become fit for Heaven – the striving in defiance of our suffering that turn us from believers to disciples.

That is the process of enduring to the end, and it is certainly not instantly granted to you (or, at least, to me) upon your acquisition of faith.  It is a trait that I have had to kneel in prayer and recommit to desiring each day as the pains of life continue to grind away those parts of my soul that are unworthy and fit me for the life that my Father wants for me.