34 Ways To Help You Endure To The End
“Endure to the end” took on new meaning for me recently. What does “endure to the end” mean to you?
It has been nearly three decades since my favorite scripture was etched into my missionary plaque. The plaque hung on the wall of the church building while I served an eighteen month mission.
The particular scripture verse I loved so much during my missionary years was:
“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.” (2 Nephi 31: 20)
Endure To The End
For context, these are the verses that come just before verse 20:
16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.
17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.”
2 Nephi 31:16-19
Waiting
In reference to verse 20, I love the thought of pressing forward and feasting upon the word of Christ. However, today, all these years later, it’s the “endure to the end” part that that I can’t get out of my mind.
If I’m honest, sometimes enduring simply means waiting⎯waiting for a trial to end, waiting for life to get easier, waiting for Jesus Christ to return.
Which is why I appreciate Elder Renlund’s powerful reminder in this month’s Liahona magazine that “enduring to the end includes joining the Savior in His work.”
Doing
Consequently, today my thoughts shift from “waiting” to “doing”. What will I do today to further the Lord’s work? I ask this question with sincerity, for I unquestionably desire with all my heart the blessing mentioned in scripture:
“And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.” (2 Nephi 31:15)
“But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in this life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:5)
“…he only is saved who endureth to the end.” (Doctrine and Covenants 53:17)
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Ideas To Go And Do
Following are suggestion on how to be actively engaged in the Lord’s work:
- Spend time everyday strengthening your testimony of Jesus Christ
- Pray to God and ask Him how you can get involved in the work
- Share your testimony of Jesus Christ in person and online, both in word and in song
- Fulfill your responsibilities at church
- Strive to become more like Jesus Christ. This collection of virtues can help.
- Study what it means to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause”
- Teach truth, as found in scripture
- Repent and forgive
- Do a secret service
- Share the light of the gospel on social media
- Pray for others with heartfelt prayer
- Get involved in interfaith events.
- Find service opportunities by zip code here.
- Devote time and energy into strengthening relationships both inside and outside your home.
- Invite others into your home for a meal, a game night, book discussion, or other activity
- Share with others what you learn at church and how it has blessed your life
- Invite others to repent as you teach them about the Atonement of Jesus Christ
- Fellowship those who have been newly baptized
- Welcome new individuals and families to the neighborhood. This printable is a fun and simple way to show you care.
- Seek out and bless the poor, the hungry, the vulnerable, and those in need (see list of ideas below)
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Ways To Bless The Poor
- Spend time with others listening and being fully present
- Deliver flowers
- Donate financially
- Cook a meal and deliver it in person. If they are lonely and would like company, join them in eating the meal.
- Visit the elderly in an assisted living center
- Feed the poor in your community. Our family had a wonderful experience serving dinner to the homeless.
- Help someone meet a goal
- Volunteer to babysit
- Send an encouraging note
- Attend a self-reliance class with someone
- Volunteer to work with refugees
- Find opportunities to teach life skills to those in need
- Collect and donate school supplies, baby items, food, clothing, or other needed items
- Mow a neighbor’s lawn, rake leaves, or shovel snow
Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceddeth that which is great.
Doctrine and covenants 64:33
Conclusion
In conclusion, I still have my missionary plaque with the scripture verse itched into its surface. I still love that scripture, but particularly the part about enduring to the end. Learning more about what it means to endure to the end has changed me. As I continue my lifelong mission to bring people to Jesus Christ, the desire to join the Savior in His work has been deeply, irrevocably, etched upon my heart. Moreover, I feel my relationship with Jesus Christ being strengthened, and this, without a doubt, is the greatest blessing of all.
Read Elder Renlund’s article here.
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