Enduring with the Light of Christ

As we journey through mortality, we are at times beset by trials: the

severe pain of the loss of loved ones, the arduous fight against illness, the
sting of injustice, the harrowing experiences of harassment or abuse, the
shadow of unemployment, familial tribulations, the silent cry of loneliness,
or the heartrending consequences of armed conflicts.

We tend to think only in terms of our endurance, but it is God’s patient

long-suffering which provides us with our chances to improve, affording us
urgently needed developmental space or time. However, if certain mortal
experiences were cut short, it would be like pulling up a flower to see how
the roots are doing. To many anxious openings of the oven door, and the
cake falls instead of rising. Moreover, enforced change usually does not
last, while productive enduring can ingrain permanent change.

Alma 32:13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are
ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh
repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and
he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

The Lord extends His hand to each of us, a gesture that is the very
essence of His divine love and kindness. His invitation to us transcends a
simple call; it is a divine pledge, reinforced by the enduring power of His
grace. In the scriptures, He lovingly assures us in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Patient endurance is to be distinguished from merely being “acted upon.”

Endurance is more than pacing up and down within the cell of our
circumstance; it is not only acceptance of the things allotted to us, it is to
“act for ourselves” by magnifying what is allotted to us.

If we are constantly comparing to see if things are fair, we are not only
being unrealistic, we are being unfair to ourselves. Remember the Saviour
endured it all D&C 19:18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the
greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and
to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter
cup, and shrink—
The clarity of His invitation “come unto me” and “take my yoke” affirms
the profound nature of His promise—a promise so vast and complete that
it embodies His love, offering us a solemn guarantee: “Ye shall find rest.”

As we diligently seek spiritual guidance, we embark on a deeply

transformative odyssey that strengthens our testimonies. As we
comprehend the vastness of our Heavenly Father’s and Jesus Christ’s
perfect love, our hearts are filled with gratitude, humility, and a renewed
desire to pursue the path of discipleship.

On the first day of school, Jean Thompson told her students, “Boys and
girls, I love you all the same.” Teachers lie. Little Teddy Stollard was a boy
Jean Thompson did not like. He slouched in his chair, didn’t pay attention,
his mouth hung open in a stupor, his eyes were always unfocused, his
clothes were mussed, his hair unkempt, and he smelled. He was an
unattractive boy and Jean Thompson didn’t like him.

Teachers have records. And Jean Thompson had Teddy’s. First grade:
“Teddy’s a good boy. He shows promise in his work and attitude. But he
has a poor home situation.” Second grade: “Teddy is a good boy. He does
what he is told. But he is too serious. His mother is terminally ill.” Third
grade: “Teddy is falling behind in his work; he needs help. His mother died
this year. His father shows no interest.” Fourth grade: “Teddy is in deep
waters; he is in need of psychiatric help. He is totally withdrawn.”

Christmas came, and the boys and girls brought their presents and piled
them on her desk. They were all in brightly coloured paper except for
Teddy’s. His was wrapped in brown paper and held together with scotch
tape. And on it, scribbled in crayon, were the words, “For Miss Thompson
from Teddy.” She tore open the brown paper and out fell a rhinestone
bracelet with most of the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume
that was almost empty. When the other boys and girls began to giggle she
had enough sense to put some of the perfume on her wrist, put on the
bracelet, hold her wrist up to the children and say, “Doesn’t it smell
lovely? Isn’t the bracelet pretty?” And taking their cue from the teacher,
they all agreed.

At the end of the day, when all the children had left, Teddy lingered, came
over to her desk and said, “Miss Thompson, all day long, you smelled just
like my mother. And her bracelet, that’s her bracelet, it looks real nice on
you, too. I’m really glad you like my presents.” And when he left, she got
down on her knees and buried her head in her chair and she begged God
to forgive her.

The next day when the children came, she was a different teacher. She
was a teacher with a heart. And she cared for all the children, but
especially those who needed help. Especially Teddy. She tutored him and
put herself out for him.

By the end of the year, Teddy had caught up with a lot of the children and
was even ahead of some. Several years later, Jean Thompson got this
note:

Dear Miss Thompson:

I’m graduating and I’m second in my high school class. I wanted you to be
the first to know. Love, Teddy.

Four years later she got another note:

Dear Miss Thompson:

I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but
I like it. Love, Teddy Stollard.

Four years later, there was another note:

Dear Miss Thompson:

As of today, I am Theodore J. Stollard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you

to be the first to know. I’m going to be married in July. I want you to come
and sit where my mother would have sat, because you’re the only family I
have. Dad died last year.

And she went and she sat where his mother should have sat because she
deserved to be there.
[Deval L. Patrick, “Struggling for Civil Rights Now,” Vital Speeches of the Day 61, no. 3
(November 15 1994):93p;94]

Alma, speaking to his son Helaman, declared: “And now, O my son

Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee
that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that
whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials,
and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last
day.” Alma 36:3.

It was then Helaman who penned the enduring words of strength

“Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is
Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation.” Heleman 5:12

Jesus’ few dozen words describing the agonies of the Atonement reveal
that He was determined that He “not drink the bitter cup, and shrink” or
pull back. Instead, submissive Christ reminded us that He both “partook”
and “finished.” Each act was so essential! No wonder Paul called Jesus the
“finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2.

We can, therefore, actually do as Peter urged and cast our cares upon the
Lord. Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach or His encircling empathy.
Therefore, we should not complain about our own life’s not being a rose
garden when we remember who wore the crown of thorns!

The true Christian, of course, does not see life as an easy passage: “The
cross comes before the crown and tomorrow is a Monday morning!”
(C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory [Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1965], p. 14.)

Each day we carry on through mortality, teeth are brushed, beds are
made, our broken cars need to be fixed, groceries won’t buy themselves
and so the endless chores go on. They are mundane matters but in the
midst of these things is the real business of living. A friendship to be
formed, a marriage to be mended, a truth to be driven home, a child
encouraged, a Christian attribute to be further refined and developed.

While some pray for the new day to dawn, others pray for strength to face
the new day. When we encounter difficulties, we naturally tend to
concentrate on the obstacles we face. Our challenges are tangible and
command our attention, yet the principle of surmounting them is in our
focus. By placing Christ at the core of our thoughts and deeds, we align
ourselves with His outlook and strength. This adjustment does not
discount our struggles; instead, it helps us to navigate through them
under divine guidance.

Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.

Alma 34:14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit
pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice
will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

Testimony