Weekly Study

Conference Talk of the Week

One conference talk each week, pre-selected on a rolling cycle. Start with the overview here, then open the official talk when you are ready to read it in full.

Week 5 of 37Viewing another talk in the series

Saturday Morning Session

All Who Have Endured Valiantly

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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The scriptural phrase “endure to the end” is a repeated reminder of the mighty spiritual change in our hearts that should be ongoing throughout our lives.

Overview

Elder Bednar reframes “endure to the end” from merely gritting through hard things to a lifelong, grace-filled process of becoming a new creature in Christ. He teaches that enduring is inseparable from the spiritual gift of charity, the pure love of Christ, given by God through the Holy Ghost and meant not only to be something we possess, but something that possesses us. Enduring valiantly, then, is pressing forward in faith as the Savior steadily changes our desires, character, and capacity to love as He loves.

Three Key Takeaways

1In a spiritual context, enduring is not just perseverance; it is ongoing transformation, aligning our desires, actions, and what we love with God’s will through the Savior’s Atonement.
2Spiritual gifts (including charity) are given by God according to His will and timing; they are not simply earned outcomes of discipline, and they are essential to coming unto Christ and becoming like Him.
3“Endure to the end” is linked directly to charity: being “possessed of the pure love of Christ” helps explain what it means to endure valiantly, turning outward like the Savior and being changed over time “grace to grace.”

Reflection Questions

When I hear “endure to the end,” do I picture grim survival, or a hopeful process of spiritual rebirth, and what in my life reveals which one I actually believe?
Where do I most need the gift of charity to “possess” me (not just occasional kind acts), at home, at church, or in how I respond to stress and pain?
What is one small, specific way I can seek the Savior’s help this week to follow the “grace to grace” pattern rather than expecting instant change?

Application Prompt

Each day this week, pray “with all the energy of heart” to be filled with the pure love of Christ, then act the same day on one clear prompting to turn outward and serve someone in need.