All Who Have Endured Valiantly
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Invite class members to briefly share what comes to mind when they hear the phrase “endure to the end.” Then explain that Elder Bednar expanded that phrase beyond simply hanging on through hardship and taught a higher, holier understanding centered in Jesus Christ and charity.
- Begin by writing two phrases on the board: “just getting through” and “becoming like Christ.” Ask the class how those two ideas differ. Then introduce the talk and explain that Elder Bednar taught that enduring to the end was not merely surviving mortality but being spiritually transformed through the Savior.
- Read aloud the final promise from Doctrine and Covenants 121:29 about those who have “endured valiantly.” Ask the class what the word valiantly suggests about discipleship. Use their responses to lead into Elder Bednar’s teaching that enduring to the end was joyful, covenantal, and connected to receiving the pure love of Christ.
- Share Elder Bednar’s opening running example in your own words and ask: How is spiritual endurance different from physical endurance? After a few responses, explain that the talk contrasted natural ideas of endurance with the Savior’s pattern of transformation, grace, and charity.
- Invite class members to listen for two key ideas as the lesson begins: what enduring to the end is not, and what it truly is. Read a short paragraph from the talk that says enduring was more than gritting our teeth and pushing through life. Then discuss how that reframing could change the way we live the gospel.
Topics
Redefine enduring through Christ
Elder Bednar taught that in a spiritual sense, enduring to the end meant much more than merely persevering through difficulty. He said enduring was tied to eternal life, discipleship, and a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. He invited listeners to adopt a higher and holier understanding of endurance.
But in a spiritual context, enduring is far more than merely persevering tenaciously to complete demanding duties or challenges.
- How had Elder Bednar distinguished spiritual endurance from simply surviving hard things?
- Why do you think it matters that enduring to the end was connected to Jesus Christ rather than just personal toughness?
- When have you seen a difference between “hanging on” and truly growing as a disciple?
- How might our attitude toward commandments and trials change if we viewed endurance the way Elder Bednar described it?
- What helps you remember that enduring to the end was meant to lead to eternal life, not just mortal survival?
- How could this teaching bless someone who feels tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed right now?
Become new creatures in Christ
Elder Bednar taught that the restored gospel invited us not merely to improve behavior but to be spiritually transformed. He described coming unto Christ, being born again, making covenants, receiving the Holy Ghost, and experiencing a mighty change of heart. He emphasized that becoming a new creature in Christ happened only through the Savior’s merits, mercy, and grace.
The Savior’s restored gospel invites us to be spiritually transformed—not merely to improve our behavior.
- What stood out to you in Elder Bednar’s description of becoming a new creature in Christ?
- How was spiritual transformation different from simply trying harder to behave better?
- Which parts of the covenant path mentioned in this section have helped change your heart most deeply?
- Why was it important that Elder Bednar stressed our constant need for Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s help?
- How have you seen the Lord gradually change your desires, not just your actions?
- What could we do more intentionally to invite a mighty change of heart?
Receive spiritual gifts from God
Elder Bednar explained that spiritual gifts were blessings and capacities given by God through the Holy Ghost. He taught that these gifts were essential to coming unto Christ and becoming like Him. He also emphasized that spiritual gifts were not earned solely by effort but were given according to God’s will and timing.
Spiritual gifts are prerequisites for and essential to our coming unto the Savior, being blessed with His attributes, and ultimately becoming more like Him.
- What did Elder Bednar teach about the purpose of spiritual gifts?
- Why do you think he said spiritual gifts were essential to becoming like the Savior?
- How does it help you to remember that spiritual gifts were gifts from God and not trophies we earned?
- What spiritual gifts have you seen bless your life or the lives of others?
- How can we seek spiritual gifts with humility and faith?
- How might understanding spiritual gifts better change the way we pray and serve?
Let charity possess your soul
Elder Bednar taught that charity was the pure love of Christ and the greatest of all spiritual gifts. He highlighted Mormon’s teaching that while we can possess charity, ultimately charity should possess us. He explained that when this gift fills us, our spiritual nature and character are transformed.
We can possess charity, but ultimately charity should possess us.
- What do you think Elder Bednar meant when he said charity should possess us?
- How was this idea deeper than simply doing kind things for others?
- When have you felt the pure love of Christ changing your heart or perspective?
- Why do you think charity was described as the greatest spiritual gift?
- How can we tell whether we are merely performing acts of service or actually becoming more charitable?
- What role has prayer played in helping you receive greater charity?
Pursue charity as becoming
Elder Bednar taught that charity included both what disciples did and what they became. He used the thirteenth article of faith to show that charity involved righteous actions as well as enduring spiritual transformation. He taught that the end toward which we endure was becoming new creatures in Christ who love as He loves.
At a higher and even holier level, charity is the very essence of the “end” toward which we are enduring—becoming new creatures in Christ.
- How did Elder Bednar connect charity with both doing good and becoming good?
- Why was it important to see the Christian life as a process of becoming, not just a checklist of actions?
- How does the thirteenth article of faith deepen your understanding of charity?
- What changes in our daily discipleship when we focus on becoming like Christ?
- How have service and sacrifice helped shape your character over time?
- What would it look like for charity to influence not only our actions but also our motives and desires?
Turn outward like the Savior
Elder Bednar contrasted the Savior’s divine pattern with the natural man. He taught that Jesus turned outward in love and service even when facing pain and adversity, while the natural man tends to turn inward in selfishness. He said that as we follow the Savior, our desires gradually shift toward understanding and meeting the needs of others.
The Redeemer of the world turned outward in love and service when He faced spiritual adversity or physical pain—in contrast to the natural man in each of us that turns inward in self-interest, self-centeredness, and selfishness.
- What impressed you about Elder Bednar’s contrast between the Savior and the natural man?
- Why is it often so difficult to turn outward when we are hurting or burdened?
- When have you seen someone respond to hardship with Christlike love and service?
- How can we become more aware of others’ needs when our own challenges feel heavy?
- What daily habits might help us turn outward more naturally?
- How has serving others during your own trials brought spiritual strength or healing?
Grow grace for grace
Elder Bednar taught that the pattern of spiritual development in the Savior’s mortal life also applied to us. He explained that Jesus received not of the fulness at first but continued from grace to grace, and that we too could receive of His fulness in due time. This teaching showed that Christlike growth was gradual, hopeful, and enabled by divine help.
As children of God, we also can receive of His fulness “in due time,” following the same “grace for grace” pattern as did the Savior.
- How does the pattern of growing grace for grace give you hope in your discipleship?
- Why is it helpful to remember that spiritual growth is usually gradual?
- How have you seen the Lord strengthen you little by little over time?
- What dangers come from expecting instant perfection from ourselves or others?
- How can we better recognize small evidences of spiritual progress?
- What does this doctrine teach us about patience, repentance, and trust in the Lord?
Link endurance with pure love
Elder Bednar used several scriptures to show that enduring to the end was inseparably connected with being possessed of the pure love of Christ. He taught that endurance was not merely gritting our teeth through mortality but joyfully pressing forward in faith as the Savior changed us. He said this process brought spiritual perspective, empowering grace, and joy.
Enduring to the end is linked inextricably to the spiritual gift of charity.
- How did Elder Bednar’s inserted phrase in the scriptures change your understanding of enduring to the end?
- Why do you think charity and endurance were so closely connected?
- How was enduring to the end described as joyful rather than miserable?
- What experiences have helped you press forward with faith rather than just force yourself onward?
- How does love for the Savior strengthen our ability to endure valiantly?
- What blessings did Elder Bednar say come as we endure in this higher and holier way?
Endure valiantly through covenant change
In his concluding testimony, Elder Bednar taught that “come unto me” invited us to begin spiritual rebirth, while “endure to the end” reminded us that the mighty change of heart should continue throughout life. He connected this lifelong transformation with the Lord’s promise to those who endured valiantly for the gospel. He testified that through grace and mercy, all disciples could endure valiantly.
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; it also is His promise of what we may become if we truly are possessed of the pure love of Christ.
- How did Elder Bednar connect coming unto Christ with enduring to the end?
- What does it mean to you to endure valiantly rather than merely endure reluctantly?
- How can covenants help us continue the mighty change of heart throughout life?
- What promises in this talk gave you the most hope?
- How have the Lord’s grace and mercy helped you keep moving forward spiritually?
- What would you like to do differently because of Elder Bednar’s closing invitation and testimony?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What phrase or teaching from this talk most changed your understanding of enduring to the end?
- How can we teach children and youth that enduring to the end is about joyful discipleship and not just rule-keeping?
- What role do ordinances and covenants play in helping us become new creatures in Christ?
- How can we seek the gift of charity more deliberately in our prayers and daily choices?
- What are some signs that the Lord is changing our hearts even if progress feels slow?
- How can we avoid discouragement when we recognize how far we still have to go in becoming like the Savior?
- In what ways does the world misunderstand endurance, and how did Elder Bednar correct those ideas?
- How can ministering help us turn outward and receive more of the pure love of Christ?
- What does it look like in real life to endure valiantly in family life, church service, work, or personal trials?
- How can greater love for Jesus Christ change the way we face hardship, temptation, and everyday responsibilities?
