“When you factor in degree of difficulty, she beat you hands down.”

As Alma gives his last words of fatherly advice to his child he pinpoints an overarching dilemma in our own society.  In chapter 37 of Alma, Alma says, “...do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way…”  I feel many times in our society, speaking of the Mormon culture, we find ourselves going through the motions over and over.  We can fall into a rut and create a sense of false security.  We stubble because of the simplicity of the path, getting too focused on the small details.  I feel that we have to overcome this natural man instinct and continue to try and become something better tomorrow than we are today.

This moment in the Book of Mormon reminds me of another scripture and doctrine taught in Doctrine and Covenants.  In section 82:3 it states, “For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.” This is a basic yet overlooked doctrine that each of God's children is different, we have different lives, distinct roles and circumstances.  We are not judged nor taught the same, each individual is on their own journey here on earth.

This has made me ponder my situation in life lately; where I am at, my goals and aspirations, and what I am doing with the many blessings I have been given.  In a book that I love called, “Following Christ” by Stephene Robinson, the author illustrates a story from his personal life.  He talks about how as a child he competed in diving events, and at one event there was a young boy that attempted back flips, doubles and other more daring dives.  The author and his group of friends stuck to the basic jackknives, back dives, and focused on being ever so careful to arch their backs and point their toes.  While the other boy was sloppy and always made a big splash, the author and his friends were happy to see he consistently got lower scores.  At the end of the competition the announcement of the winner came as a surprise to the young competitors.  The boy with the flips won the event.  The author says, “certain that an injustice was being perpetrated, I stormed the scorers table and demanded an explanation.”  The response was “Degree of difficulty,” the scorer replied.

He goes on to explain that each of God’s children experience different trials in this life.  Enduring to the end is not about overcoming life's obstacles or even achieving the “LDS ideal” (pointing your toes and arching your back).  It just means not giving up, remaining faithful to the different covenants that each of have made with the Lord.

Let us not get caught up in the basic dives of life, worrying too much about the pointed toes or arched back.  But let us do things we have never done before, and not judge others in their circumstances along the way.  We have no idea what demons each individual is fighting and are in no place to pass judgement.  “For I never want to hear the Scorer (Christ) say to me, ‘sure, you had better form, but she had a harder life.  ...she beat you hands down.”

Trust.

Trust.  Can I be trusted?  By friends and family?  Even more importantly; can I be trusted by the Lord?  In 3 Nephi 27:16 the Lord is talking to the Nephites emphasizing in the fundamental gospel principles.  It is so clear on what we need to do to be held “guiltless” before the Father.  For me it gives me hope and breaks down what I should be doing here in my existence.

 I have been reading the book “Following Christ” and one part that really hit me hard is when the author talks about this passage and the meaning of enduring to the end.  He breaks down the word Faithful and mentions some of the Hebrew words associated with that word; and what he finds is insightful.  The words security, certainty, and guarantee all come from the same Hebrew root.  It is interesting to think about enduring and faithfulness and make connections.  It became evident that being faithful (enduring to the end) has little to do with our belief or even our activity in the church as it does with whether we can be trusted to do out part in the Kingdom of God.  This really made me think about how well I can be trusted by the Lord.  Am I one He can count on with whatever task He needs accomplished?

After some more study it became clear that this doesn’t only apply to “enduring to the end” but also every aspect of the gospel.  Even down to basic faith.  Faith is not a mere belief but rather an active commitment to a belief.  The scripture in James 2 came to mind, that even the devils believe and tremble.  Am I different than them?  I came to ask myself: I know God is there and lives but am I committed to that belief?  Am I committed and willing to do everything to build His kingdom here on earth?

I want to become a better servant and not only testify that God and Christ are there but show it through my level of commitment.  Be someone He can trust.

Can we achieve our dreams...on our own?

Can the computer type on its own?  Can the stove cook a meal by itself?  Can we achieve our dreams...on our own?

The first two questions seem so obvious!  The answer is “NO” yet the last question makes us scream “YES!”  As we read in the book of 2 Nephi this week I found a scripture that illustrates this concept so well.  Isaiah in chapter nineteen of 2 Nephi verse 15 says, “Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!”  

Here as I read the answers to these questions were more than obvious, but as I dug deeper and made the connection to myself and my life it took on another light.  Obviously an object or a medium can not do anything on it’s own; it has to be acted upon.  Likewise WE are a medium.  For who or whom?  The Lord!  We can do nothing of ourselves; until we are acted upon by an outside force.

I am one to set a goal and do everything it takes to get there.  I pride myself in my ability to do so.  This scripture really was like a slap on the face; as is being here at BYU.  It is not MY merits that have gotten me here to this school or gotten me any of my competitive recognition's.  It was Him, and His power.

As I read this scripture and think I feel a greater need of my Savior in my life.  I feel more humbled to know I can do nothing without him as well as strengthened to know I can do anything WITH Him.  I find this extremely applicable to us right now as college kids.  If the Lord needs us to succeed or fulfill some certain calling in life, He can open the doors necessary for us to get there.  As we do our part and remain humble the Lord will use us as a medium for good...to even achieve our dreams.

"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

“Enduring to the end”...who, what, how, when??  These are all questions that arise in my mind when I hear members of the church throw this phrase around.  Is it really about passing through suffering?  Or drudging through this mortal life for a hope that God will open up the gates to his kingdom at the end of the road?

3 Nephi 15:9:  “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.”

With promises THIS great, I feel it is important to really understand the; who, what, how, and when behind the phrase “endure to the end.”

I have found it extremely interesting to read and actually do some study on this simple yet not so easy phrase.  Many times the phrase “endure to the end” is heard in pioneer stories of those that suffered, and brings to mind much persecution.  After reading a few scriptures in the Book of Mormon I noticed an interesting connection; that the word endure is refers to many times as “last” and or “continue.”  One of these circumstances is when Alma is talking to his son Shiblon he says, “will continue in keeping the commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end” (Alma 38:2).  Here the correlation between enduring and continuing faithful is extremely clear.

That puts something very clear, we are to continue...but continue in what?  We are to continue in the covenants we have made, remain FAITHFUL to the promises we have made with the Lord.  In the book “Following Christ”  Stephen Robinson expounds on this topic; “To endure to the end means we don’t let go of Christ; we don’t quit the Church and kingdom or lose our testimony because of life;s difficulties or temptations-we stay put.”

I find this extremely applicable to our lives in this stage of our lives, we have gained a testimony, made covenants and now we are constantly tested and expected to “endure to the end.”  For me this study has helped me to understand that I am NOT alone in this path, I have my God beside me and I have many promises and blessings upholding me.  I have to remain faithful and continue building the Kingdom of God, I cannot let go of Christ's hand and begin to wander in “forbidden paths” (1 Nephi 8:28).

Enduring is not so much a physical stamina, but of personal integrity.