The word "endure" comes from the root that means firm, solid, steadfast, lasting, to make hard, hold fast and true. Interestingly, this is the same root for the word tree. In describing the godly man, the Psalmist says "he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water" (Psalm 1:3).
The Oxford English Dictionary defines endure, among other things, as to last, continue in existence, persist. More significantly, endure is defined as to persist during the continuance of an event or action; to undergo, bear, sustain continuous pain, opposition, hardship or annoyance; to undergo without succumbing or giving way. Endure also means to suffer or submit without resistance to circumstances.
A little more than a year ago, in the October 2007 general conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf answered the question, "What does it mean to endure to the end?"
"When I was a young boy, 'endure to the end' meant to me mainly that I had to try harder to stay awake until the end of our church meetings," President Uchtdorf said. "Later as a teenager I progressed only slightly in my understanding of this scriptural phrase. I linked it with youthful empathy to the efforts of our dear elderly members to hang in there until the end of their lives.
"Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God.
"Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or 'hanging in there.' Enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy.
"Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God.
"The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life. It is not for Sunday only. It is not something we can do only as a habit or a tradition if we expect to harvest all of its promised blessings. 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap' (Galatians 6:7).
"Enduring to the end implies 'patient continuance in well doing' (Romans 2:7), striving to keep the commandments (see 2 Nephi 31:10) and doing the works of righteousness (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:23). It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in heaven and make wise choices.
"By doing our best to endure to the end, a beautiful refinement will come into our lives. We will learn to 'do good to them that hate (us), and pray for them which despitefully use (us)' (Matthew 5:44). The blessings that come to us from enduring to the end in this life are real and very significant, and for the life to come they are beyond our comprehension."
Joseph A. Cannon is editor of the Deseret News.
E-mail: cannon@desnews.com