Baptism and Enduring

2 Ne 31-33

Our Sunday School teacher gave us these quotes, that seemed to me to be more relevant than anything I could say.  I've been thinking about these all day!

Baptism:
"Nephi, to dramatize the importance of baptism, tell us that theSavior had to be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" (2 Nephi 31:5).  The doctrine is both little understood and marvelously important.  In the high spiritual sense there is no righteousness without willing submission to all the ordinances of salvation.  No more perfect example could be found than Christ himself.  Christ, who was sinless, had to be baptized in order to be considered righteous.  To be righteous, as the word is used in its highest spiritual sense means far more than being sinless, pure, or merely good.  Righteousness is not simply the absence of evil or impropriety; it is the active seeking of the mind and will of the Father and compliance with that will once it has been obtained. "  (McConkie and MIllet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 1, p. 361)

Gift of the Holy Ghost
2 Nephi 31:8  "Wherefore after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon his in the form of a dove."

"The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes.  It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use.  It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-tones sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature.  It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity.  It develops beauty of person, form and features.  It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling.  it invigorates al the faculties of the physical and intellectual man.  It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves.  In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the one, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being" (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p 61 as quoted in CES Book of Mormon Student Manual (1996), p 42)

Enduring to the end:
2 Nephi 31:10 "And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

"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 D&C 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, including paying our tithes and offerings, honoring our temple covenants, and serving the Lord and one another willingly and faithfully in our Church callings and responsibilities.  It means strength of character, selflessness, and humility; it means integrity and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means making our homes strong places of defense and a refuge against worldly evils; it means loving and honoring our spouses and children.  (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, in Conference Report, Oct 2007 or Ensign, Nov. 20007, 20-21)

Also on enduring:

"Our emphasis, therefore, should be on 'doing' and 'becoming," not just on surviving; on serving others, not just serving time. Thus this quality of graceful endurance includes, but is more than, hanging on 'for one moment more.' Passing beyond breaking points without breaking takes the form of endurance." (Neal A. Maxwell, Not My will, But Thine, p 115)

"Hence we are not merely to exist to the end but are to persist in coping with what is occurring in the holy present.  If we will follow the example of 'the Son of the living God," great things await us (see 2 Nephi 31:16). 'Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come' (D&C 63:20). 'And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory' (D&C 101:35).

"Even yesterday's spiritual experience, however, does not guarantee us against tomorrow's relapse.  Persistence thus matters greatly.  More than a few for instance, have had supernal, spiritual experiences only to fall away later; or, more often, merely to pull off to the side of the road, though intending only a brief rest stop.  Hence the emphasis on enduring well to the end is wise, simply because we are at risk till the end!  Included in the enduring process is meeting the test of being constantly improved.  Remodeling is costly and painful.  But how can we realistically expect the arduous process of putting of the old man and putting on the new man to be otherwise?"  (Neal A. Maxwell, If Thou Endure it Well)