It seems to be a common belief that if we've been baptized, have been to the temple, and are living the gospel sincerely, that we feel we've accomplished most of the markers along The Way to Christ. We're in the "enduring to the end" part of our journey. However, I've come to realize that there was more that I needed to learn, to offer and also to receive even in the beginnings of our doctrine.
Have I fully forsaken the natural man?
Have I received the Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost?
Am I born of God?
Have I received the remission of sins? If yes, am I retaining a remission of my sins? If no, how do I do that?
How am I doing at always keeping the spirit with me?
Am I living with the spirit as my guide?
If these markers along The Way have not yet been met, there's definitely value in going back to the beginning of our journey and learning The Way to Christ as taught in scripture, making the offerings to Christ this doctrine teaches, and hopefully awaiting receiving His grace.
The #waytochristscriptures project, highlights scripture on how Christ becomes our foundation. Even lifelong members like myself are getting what we need next by contemplating foundational scriptures on the way to Christ.
So, what IS "Endure to the End"?
What is its meaning? We'll look at four points.
POINT 1- scriptural definitions of "Endure to the End"
POINT 2 - where it is used in The Way to Christ doctrine
POINT 3 - similar terms used in The Way to Christ doctrine
POINT 4 - a name of Christ
POINT 1- scriptural definitions of "Endure to the End"
Endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God
2 Nephi 31
16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.
Serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end
D&C 76
5 For thus saith the Lord - I, the Lord am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me (broken heart and contrite spirit) and delight to honour those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.(another description of what we're meant to do unto the end - live alive in Christ unto the end. "Truth" suggests personal revelation, and "righteousness" suggests doing what God inspires, because we cannot be righteous without His inspiration.)
6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. (promise of eternal life)
Endure in faith to the end
D&C 20
25 That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name (broken heart and contrite spirit and entering covenant with Christ), and endure in faith to the end (to me, faith can only be in truth from God or it cannot be real faith, so enduring in faith means these people are living according to personal revelation. This is discipleship and living alive in Christ), should be saved- (eternal life)
Hold out faithful to the end
D&C 6
13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, (much like the previous scripture, we can only do good when we're living by acts of faith - receiving truth through revelation and following it) thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God (eternal life), which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.
I love these last two because being faithful isn't just being believing, "faithful" is to have a living revelatory relationship with Christ, which segues perfectly into part 2
POINT 2 - where "endure to the end" is used in The Way to Christ doctrine
"Endure to the end" is always used in a specific place in the Way to Christ doctrine, it's always where you would expect to see green "Living by the Spirit" language:
POINT 3 - similar terms to "endure to the end" used in The Way to Christ doctrine.
Abound, abide, continue and endure are often used to describe this developing relationship with Christ, and that's shown in the next few way to Christ scriptures.
And "Liveth unto God" brings us into point 4,
POINT 4 - a name of Christ
Christ is The Beginning and The End,
If they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.
Mosiah 2
41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end (same deal as all the others faithful=living by the truth we receive from God) they are received into heaven (eternal life), that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
(Christ speaking) Look unto me, endure to the end, ye shall live, unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life
3 Nephi 15
9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. 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.