Enduring to the End

In institute this morning, we studied 2 Nephi 31-Jacob 4. Here is some of what I got out of the lesson:

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." (2 Nephi 31:3)

• People learn differently. Some (like me) are visual learners, others learn by hearing or doing. The Lord understands this, and speaks to each of us, through his Spirit, in a way that we will understand best.
• "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3) 
• "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:5)

"And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal." (2 Nephi 33:4)

• These were among Nephi's final words to his people. He wanted them to gain eternal life, and these final chapters tell them how to gain it. 
• Enduring to the end = Eternal life. (read last 10 words of above scripture)
• What does enduring to the end mean? Some words that were mentioned were diligence, obedience, patience, enjoying, loving, thriving. It isn't just dragging along; it is moving forward, anxiously engaged.
• What do we need to do to gain eternal life?
• Nephi mentions repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost as being the first steps necessary to enter the gate: "Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 31:17)
• Once we've entered the gate, are we done? No. There is more; much more. We were given a list of 19 Book of Mormon scriptures which mention things we must do to receive Eternal Life. Here is a synopsis:
• 2 Nephi 31:20 - Press forward, steadfast in Christ, with hope & love, feasting on God's word
• 1 Nephi 8:30 - Press forward, holding to the iron rod (the word of God)
• 2 Nephi 32: 3-5 - Feast on the word
• Mosiah 15:11 - Hearken to the prophet
• Helaman 3:35 - Yield your heart to God (fast and pray for humility)
• Alma 5:45-46 - Fast and pray for a testimony.
• 2 Nephi 32:8-9 - Pray always
• Ether 12:4 - Hope in Christ
• Mosiah 4:6 - Trust in Christ
• 3 Nephi 18:7 - Remember Christ
• Helaman 5:12 - Build a foundation on the rock of your Redeemer
• 1 Nephi 14:14 - Be armed with righteousness and the power of God
• 3 Nephi 18:22 - Meet together often, and welcome others
• 3 Nephi 18:6 - Take the sacrament
• Mosiah 26:30 - repent
• 3 Nephi 18:15 - Watch and pray to guard against temptation
• Jacob 2:18 - Seek the kingdom of God first (before riches)
• Moroni 7:47 - Have charity
• Mosiah 2:17 - Serve others.

• While this may seem like a lot, we were advised not to overwhelm ourselves by trying to improve in  all these areas at once, but to select one or two at a time and work on them until they become easy, and then select another to work on.

Jacob was a very poetic writer, and he used a lot of imagery in his writing. Our teacher today pointed out that he was also very inoffensive. He didn't want to offend people in his teachings, but he was obedient to the promptings of the  Lord and taught what he was told to teach:

• "Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds." (Jacob 2:9)

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." (Jacob 2:18-19)

• There was some discussion in class about how riches are not inherently bad, but rather how we think about them and what we choose to do with them.
• We must seek for the kingdom of God first, to do His work, to obey His will.
• Riches can be great blessings to enable us to help others. An example that was brought up by a class member was Jon Huntsman, Sr, who is a wealthy man who has done a lot for charity. It was said of him, " It was clear to me that Jon's real motivation in his work and accumulation of wealth was to give much of what he has to make people's lives better." (See a Deseret News article about him)
• If you can't give money, give time. If you can't give time, give whatever you can. (When I was searching for a source for this saying, I came across this incredible essay, that I thought really portrayed the point.)
•  Elder Dallin H Oaks talked about "the captive" in a talk he gave in the April 2006 General Conference: "Many carry heavy burdens. Some have lost a loved one to death or care for one who is disabled. Some have been wounded by divorce. Others yearn for an eternal marriage. Some are caught in the grip of addictive substances or practices like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or pornography. Others have crippling physical or mental impairments. Some are challenged by same-gender attraction. Some have terrible feelings of depression or inadequacy. In one way or another, many are heavy laden." Captivity is anything from which it is difficult to escape. People who are in captivity - to addictions, sin, or whatever, need help to escape.

I am very grateful that I am able to attend institute classes and learn (or be reminded) of these things!