Endure in Faith - D&C 20:25

That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved

 Enduring to the end is a theme that is touched upon several times in scripture. Consider the following:

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:20)

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2:41)

Brigham Young urged us to view endurance in the proper perspective. It is not a long drudgerous slog to the end, but a time of preparation for exciting things in the beyond.

We are urged by the Spirit to refrain from articles which tend to death, to preserve this life, which is the most precious life given to mortal beings preparatory to an immortal life. It is our business to prepare to live here to do good. Instead of crying to the people, prepare to die, our cry is, prepare to live forever. (DBY)

 Joseph Smith gave the following insight:

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (D&C 130:18-19)

It is best to view this life as a laboratory in which the environment is adjusted just right so as to enable us to progress at an accelerated rate. We do not know what awaits us in the eternities, but the here and now are for our progression, gathering of knowledge, wisdom and experience to enable us with a head start in the eternities. But we must stay true and faithful, doing good as much as we can, and correcting our mistakes through repentance and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ as we go along.

The sin that will cleave to all the posterity of Adam and Eve is, that they have not done as well as they knew how. (DBY)

Petitions of Faith - D&C 10:47-52

And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers; Yea, and this was their faith—that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions. Now, this is not all—their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess this land; And thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life; Yea, that it might be free unto all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be. And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people.

The phrase "their faith in their prayers" is mentioned 3 times in this scripture. This begs the question, what does it take to pray in faith? Aren't there many sincere prayers that are said that aren't answered according to the will of the petitioner? I have touched on this topic before. A prayer of petition isn't for changing the will of God, it is for ascertaining those things which are contingent upon our asking for them. Thus a prayer of petition might be best carried out by seeking His will. The phrase "nevertheless thy will be done" and "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" should adorn our prayers if not literally, then at least in sentiment.

True faith defers all wisdom to God. We cannot see things from the beginning to the end like He can. And thus we must try to bend our will in line with His, not the other way around. Any perceived losses on our part will always be made right in the end. Thus a true prayer of faith seeks to learn the will of God by the Spirit, and then makes petitions in faith. Once the will of God is known, I believe it is only then that we can truly put faith in it. Exercising faith is not always easy.

Note this important petition of the ancients which was granted for us: "whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life". Now that's something worth having faith in!!!

Without Faith You Can Do Nothing - D&C 8:10

Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not.

The context of this statement was to Oliver Cowdery when he was seeking the gift to translate ancient records by revelation. This statement is true on many levels. In the Prophet Joseph's Lectures on Faith, we learn:

Faith is ... the principle of action in all intelligent beings. If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action, in them; that without it, both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental.

This is a simple, yet powerful concept. I have never been in a state of complete inactivity, but I can imagine that those who struggle with depression perhaps from another perspective can be seen as "faith-challenged". For those who find it difficult to get up in the morning, I imagine that they have very little hope, which we have read is the predecessor to faith. In this frame of mind, when one cannot see things working out in the long or the short run, it must be very difficult get out of bed and have faith to go about one's day. While I have experienced this type of despair from time to time in my life, it has never been severe and so I can only speak partially from experience.

While all intelligent beings operate by faith, it is important to remember that only faith in Jesus Christ has the power to produce the fruit of salvation.

[H]e cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; (Mosiah 3:9)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. (John 3:14-16)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

I could go on quoting a very long list of scriptures here, because frankly, this has been the theme of the gospel all the way through. Faith in Jesus Christ produces salvation! It also has a thousand other priceless and wonderful side-effects.