missionmtcendend ( ** )

Enduring to the end, Sunday afternoon training

• 1/   Definitions of ‘enduring to the end’:
  • “Exerting every effort to stay on the [covenant] path…” Preach My Gospel, page 66
  • “…press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men…”   2 Nephi 31:20
  • “…those that keep the commandments of God…are blessed in all things…and if they HOLD OUT FAITHFUL TO THE END they are received into heaven,…that they may dwell with god in a state of never-ending happiness…” Mosiah 2:41
  • “…unless a man shall endure to the end, IN FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, he cannot be saved.” 2 Nephi 31:16
  • “What does it mean to endure? I love this definition: to withstand with courage.  Courage may be necessary for you to believe; it will at times be necessary as you obey. It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence.”  President Thomas S. Monson
  • “When trials and challenges come our way, we are often told to simply ‘hang in there.’ Let me be clear, to ‘hang in there’ is not a principle of the gospel,” he said. “Enduring to the end means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him.” Elder Kevin W. Pearson

  2/   As a companionship, find an example of someone in the scriptures who did ‘endure to the end’ or someone who did not ‘endure to the end’.  Be prepared to briefly share your thoughts with the group.

  3/   Staying faithful and true after your mission:

  • Ten years after I complete my missionary service, I will [or I will be]….
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  • Elder Pearson’s keys to remaining steadfast: 1) Don’t forget to pray  2) Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him  3) Press forward with faith  4) The Book of Mormon is the key to spiritual survival  5) Don’t be distracted and deceived  6) STAY BY THE TREE!

  4/ President Joseph Fielding Smith, as he began his service as President of the Church at age 93, was asked what his greatest desire was at that important time in his life.  His response was, “To endure to the end”.   He had served as an apostle for over 66 years, he had boldly testified of Christ across the globe for decades, he had served as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve for almost 20 years, and he had just been sustained as President of the Church, and his greatest desire was to ENDURE TO THE END.  What is the Spirit saying to you right now, having heard this remarkable response by President Smith?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  5/   You will spend the next 18 months or 2 years serving your mission, and the rest of your life thinking about HOW you served your mission.  You will either reap the blessings of OR experience the consequences of HOW you served that mission.

  6/ Thoughts concerning leaving the Missionary Training Center:

     ** The Church needs you for FOREVER, not just during your mission.  Continue to do all the things you do DURING your mission AFTER your mission.               You must deepen your conversion and your spiritual strength for the rest of your life.

    ** Every family deserves a righteous father and mother.  Be a blessing to your future family.

    ** The foundation you build during your mission will provide you solid spiritual footing for the rest of your life.

    ** Read your patriarchal blessing every Fast Sunday.  Have faith in what is said in your blessing, and live your life in such a way that the promises can                  actually be realized!

    ** Give your all to the Lord during your mission so that you can come home afterwards with great spiritual satisfaction in your soul and absolutely no regrets.

    ** Make sure that the Holy Ghost is part of your companionship every day of your mission.

    ** Take time now to write in your journal a description of the missionary you want to be, and a description of the returned-missionary you want to be.