Lessons for Our Day From the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Thirty-Five

Endure to the End With Joy

Enduring to the end is an essential gospel principle which was taught and lived by Jesus and by His prophets, ancient and modern. Moroni and Ether are amazing examples of enduring to the end. Moroni lived alone for 36 years, from A.D. 385 to A. D. 421, and Ether was alone for many years. They were fugitives living under difficult circumstance, hiding from wicked men. Their last words reveal the kind of people they were and we should strive to be.

- Ether: “Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen” (Ether 15:34).

- Moroni: “And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen” (Moroni 10:34).

I have always been inspired by historical examples of endurance, both physical and mental:

- All eight of my great grandparents joined the Church at difficult times and circumstances. They came to Utah with pioneer companies, and they settled where they were directed by the Lord’s prophet. They prospered spiritually and endured well and to the end.

- As a teenager I read and was intrigued by the endurance shown by explorers, including:

• Lewis and Clark – See Undaunted Courage by Steven Ambrose

• Ernest Shackelton and his crew’s survival in the Antarctic – See Shackelton by Alfred Lancing

- Having served in Vietnam and later visiting the “Hanoi Hilton” I marveled at the endurance of our POWs: See Faith of My Fathers by John McCain

- As a husband, father and grandfather I am inspired by the endurance of spiritual leaders:

• See Joseph Smith – Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman. Joseph’s entire ministry is a wonderful example of endurance.

• See Gandi by Louis Fischer. The endurance shown by this man, small in stature but a giant in spiritual strength, was remarkable.

• See Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Mandela spent 27 years in prison and he never gave up.

Usually, the test of enduring to the end is experienced through our mortal bodies. Lehi taught, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). In mortality the opposition need for spiritual growth is usually provided by our mortal body. As we mature into adulthood, our spirit grows stronger as we learn to control the appetites of the flesh. Then as we grow older the opposition necessary for our continued spiritual grow often comes through the weakness, sickness, and ills of our mortal body.

We should expect to have our ability to endure to the end tested. As we grow older enduring to the end usually comes more into focus. The examples of others we know and can relate to give us hope. These include parents, grandparents, and other family members. It includes prophets like David O. McKay, Spencer W. Kimball, and Ezra Taft Benson. It includes friends that are generally our age and circumstances. Recently, Susan and I attended a ward comprised of retired people who have devoted their lives to the Lord and His work. I could see that these faithful members make enduring to the end their highest priority. I resolved to do the same.

We can have joy each day in the journey as we endure to the end. I testify that what President Russell M. Nelson taught about enduring to the end with joy is true! He said: “My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation….and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy….

“How, then, can we claim that joy? We can start by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” “in every thought.” We can give thanks for Him in our prayers and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase.”

“Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!

“And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families…

“If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.

“He taught us how to have joy. When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior’s Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy.

“Every day that you and I choose to live celestial laws, every day that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same, joy will be ours.

“Heed these words of the Psalmist: ‘I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. … In [His] presence is fulness of joy’ (Psalm 16:8, 11). As this principle is embedded in our hearts, each and every day can be a day of joy and gladness” (Joy and Spiritual Survival, General Conference, October 2016).

Released on December 8th. 2024.