Elder Bednar teaches that “enduring to the end” is not just about persevering through difficulty, but about experiencing a lifelong spiritual transformation through Jesus Christ.

Enduring to the end = being filled with and ultimately “possessed” by the pure love of Christ.

Rather than simply “holding on,” enduring is described as a joyful, ongoing process of becoming more like the Saviour, marked by increasing love, selflessness, and spiritual change. 

Key quotes and questions to discuss or ponder

‘…in a spiritual context, enduring is far more than merely persevering tenaciously to complete demanding duties or challenges.’ (Paragraph 2)

How is enduring to the end different to ‘persevering tenaciously’?

‘We are to become new creatures in Christ.’ (Paragraph 7)

What does this mean?

‘Spiritual gifts are prerequisites for and essential to our coming unto the Savior, being blessed with His attributes, and ultimately becoming more like Him.’ (Paragraph 9)

What spiritual gifts have you identified in yourself?

‘Mormon testified that “charity is the pure love of Christ” and “the greatest of all” spiritual gifts. Significantly, the word endure is used in the scriptures to define and describe charity.’ (Paragraph 11)

How can we develop the pure love of Christ?

‘We can possess charity, but ultimately charity should possess us.’ (Paragraph 13)

What does Elder Bednar mean when he says that charity should possess us?

‘For disciples of the Savior, charity encompasses both what we do and what we can become as this spiritual gift ultimately possesses us.’ (Paragraph 15)

‘We do not merely perform benevolent deeds; rather, our state of being is changed and becomes increasingly Christlike.’ (Paragraph 20)

What is the essential difference between what we do and what we become?

‘The Savior’s divine nature and sublime character were the wellsprings of perfect compassion during His mortal ministry. The Redeemer of the world turned outward in love and service when He faced spiritual adversity or physical pain—in contrast to the natural man in each of us that turns inward in self-interest, self-centeredness, and selfishness.’ (Paragraph 19)

What does it mean to turn outward rather than inward?

‘The power of His doctrine, covenants and ordinances, and example can bless us in every aspect of our lives.’ (Paragraph 22)

What blessings have you seen in your life because of doctrine, covenants and ordinances?

‘Enduring to the end is not merely a relentless determination to grit our teeth, hold on to the limits of our physical strength and mental capacity, and push through the challenges and adversities of mortal life; it is so much more than that.’ (Paragraph 29)

‘Enduring to the end is the joyous quest of a lifetime—a pressing forward with faith in Jesus Christ in a gradual process of trusting in and receiving help from our Savior to become more like Him.’ (Paragraph 30)

Do these paragraphs reframe your view of enduring to the end? If so, how?

‘The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.”’ (Paragraph 33)

What do you think it means to endure ‘valiantly’? What does it look like?

Invitations and application:

‘The Savior’s restored gospel invites us to be spiritually transformed—not merely to improve our behavior.’ (Paragraph 6)

‘As we live as He invites us to live and with His help, our nature and character over time increasingly become more like His.’ (Paragraph 19)

‘The scriptural phrase “come unto me” is the Savior’s introductory invitation to learn and act in His doctrine and begin a process of spiritual rebirth.’ (Paragraph 31)

1. Seek the mighty change of heart continually

2. Pray for and cultivate charity

3. Allow charity to “possess” you

4. Endure through transformation, not just survival

5. Receive “grace for grace”

6. Press forward with faith and joy

Additional thought:

Elder Gene R. Cook of the Seventy taught:

“All men may have the gift of love, but charity is bestowed only upon those who are true followers of Christ.”

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