Throughout the Book of Mormon, we are encouraged to endure to the end. The prophet Nephi heard the voice of the Father declaring, “He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved” (2 Nephi 31:15). Jesus Christ made the same promise during His visit to the American continent (3 Nephi 15:9).
Near the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni introduces a variant of this phrase which helps to clarify its meaning. Priests and teachers, he tells us, were ordained “to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end” (Moroni 3:3). He later quotes a letter from his father, Mormon, which uses the same phrase. Mormon tells his son that he prays continually that God will keep him “through the endurance of faith on his name to the end” (Moroni 8:3).
It’s one thing to acquire faith. It’s another to sustain it over time. The blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ are available to us as soon as we begin to exercise sincere faith in Him. But God’s greatest gifts are only available to those who are able to maintain that faith perpetually.
After the people of King Benjamin prayed and received a remission of their sins, he immediately began to teach them what they should do in order to retain that gift. Specifically, he counseled them to:
- Remember the goodness of God
- Humble themselves in the depths of humility
- Pray every day
- Stand steadfastly in their faith
- Live peaceably with one another
- Fulfill family responsibilities
- Take care of the poor and needy among them
- Watch themselves–their thoughts, words, and deeds–and observe the commandments of God (Mosiah 4:11-30)
Today, I will remember the importance of engaging in religious activities which enable me to sustain my faith. I will remember that my personal and family prayers, my acts of service in the home and in my community, and my carefulness in avoiding sin all help me endure in my faith unto the end.
Book of Mormon Study Notes 