"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.