Enduring to the End

Enduring to the end has always been a difficult concept for me to grasp. I was eager to learn more about what it meant, so I chose it as one of my topics. Throughout this life, we will all experience difficulties and challenges – some of which will test our faith and patience. In my own life, I have faced some hardships that I thought would literally be the death of me. However, I have always been comforted to know that I will never be given any trial that I cannot handle.

My Father in Heaven knows me better than I know myself. He knows what I can handle and what I can’t. I firmly believe that He will never give me a trial that is beyond what I have the capacity and ability to handle. This does not mean that my life is going to be easy-going all the time. We are supposed to have trials that test us – that is one of the ways we prove ourselves in this life – but if we trust in the Lord and His plan, we will always make it through our trials more Christ-like and closer to God.

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Along our metaphorical path from Bethlehem to Golgotha, we will have many opportunities to abandon our journey. At times it will seem that the path requires more than we had wished for. But… we must have the courage to follow our Redeemer, even when our cross seems too heavy to bear.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Four Titles, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/four-titles?lang=eng

Robert D. Hales, "Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure," April 1998 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/behold-we-count-them-happy-which-endure?lang=eng

At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end – no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes… Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life’s fight, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome.
Thomas S. Monson, Meeting Life’s Challenges, October 1993 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1993/10/meeting-lifes-challenges?lang=eng

This is a most noble labor that will challenge our every sense and stretch our every ability. Do we desire to see the heavens open and witness the promptings of the Holy Spirit showing us the way? Then let’s take up our sickle and put our back into this great work – a cause much greater than ourselves!
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Four Titles, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/four-titles?lang=eng

It is part of our condition as mortal beings to sometimes feel as though we are surrounded by darkness. We might have lost a loved one; a child might have strayed; we might have received a troubling medical diagnosis; we might have employment challenges and be burdened by doubts or fears; or we might feel alone or unloved. But even though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances, God promises the hope of His light – He promises to illuminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Hope of God’s Light, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng

There will always be things to complain about - things that don't seem to go quite right. You can spend your days feeling sad, alone, misunderstood, or unwanted. But that isn't the journey you had hoped for, and it's not the journey Heavenly Father sent you to take... Look for the happiness your Father in Heaven has prepared for you in every step of your journey.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Your Wonderful Journey Home, March 2013 General Young Women's Meeting, http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng

Robert D. Hales, "Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure," April 1998 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/behold-we-count-them-happy-which-endure?lang=eng

Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times in our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Continue in Patience, April 2010 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/continue-in-patience?lang=eng

There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer.
 Robert D. Hales, "Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure," April 1998 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/behold-we-count-them-happy-which-endure?lang=eng

Enduring to the end is definitely not a do-it-yourself project. First, it requires the Saviors redemptive power... Second, enduring to the end requires the Holy Ghost... Third, we must be an integral part of a community of Saints, serving and receiving service from our brothers and sisters in the gospel.
 L. Tom Perry, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, April 2008 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/the-gospel-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng