Introduction
Perseverance means that you don't give up even when things get difficult. When you persevere, you keep going. If you commit to run a race but get tired, you can persevere and finish the race anyway. Another word for perseverance is diligence. When you are diligent, you regularly do those things that you know are important to a spiritually and temporally healthy life.
- Have a purpose
- Step into the unknown
- Deal with disappointment
- Work with limited resources
Have a Purpose
Purpose gives you a reason to do what you do. Heavenly Father said, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). This is Heavenly Father's purpose. It defines everything He does. When you have a good purpose, you are more likely to have perseverance. This is because a good purpose fuels commitment to do good things, like get an education.
A purpose is why you do what you do. Influential speaker Simon Sinek uses the phrase The Golden Circle to describe the power of knowing your why, or purpose. Knowing your why helps you to decide how to act, which will then help you know exactly what kinds of things to do. Look at the example below:
- Why. My purpose as a father is to lead and support my family
- How. An important way I can do this is by obtaining an education
- What. I will complete a degree from BYU-Pathway Worldwide
Always keep your why clear and focused on righteousness. If you have a patriarchal blessing, refer to it often. Counsel with your family about your why or purpose. Don't be afraid to ask, "Why are we doing this?" Reviewing your "why" can often be a refreshing conversation and can give you added strength to persevere.
Nephi's "Why" Gave Him Courage to Persevere
In the Book of Mormon, Nephi and his brothers were sent to the city of Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates. The brass plates contained a valuable, spiritual and historical record. The person who possessed the record, Laban, was unlikely to give it to Nephi and his brothers. When their first and second attempts at requesting the record failed, Nephi's brothers Laman and Lemuel gave up. They were afraid that Laban would kill them. However, Nephi was so sure about why they were doing this, that he had courage to keep trying, even when Laban threatened to kill him and his brothers. As you read Nephi's response, can you see what his why was?
"Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?
"Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea.
"Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians" (1 Nephi 4:1-3).
Nephi received strength and courage from his why, and he went back to Jerusalem alone to face Laban. Nephi's why was so strong that he felt confident taking this step into the darkness.
Answer these questions to see what you remember from reading the text above.
- Before you focus on the what or how, you should know your __________.
ANSWER - If you know your why, you can have more __________ to persevere.
ANSWER
Step into the Unknown
Taking university courses can be scary. Being a student at a university can be scary. There are many unfamiliar things. There are expectations that are new to you. However, you have been taking this course for several weeks now. You have learned how to use Canvas, how to contact your instructor, how to attend the gathering, how to work with people there, how to turn in assignments, how to pay tuition, etc. This shows that you have taken a few steps into the darkness over and over again, and you have found your way.
There is more darkness ahead, but if you keep moving, you will discover the path. Don't give up because you are not entirely sure what the future looks like. Consider the following video.
Video Source (04:42 mins) | Keep Moving Transcript
Nephi Stepped into the Unknown
We now return to the story of Nephi and his brothers trying to get the brass plates. Nephi had just told his brothers to not give up. His why was so strong, he knew they would succeed if they were faithful to God and did their best. Nephi then went alone at night into Jerusalem. Like the little girl, he kept moving! He was led by the spirit, "not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." Soon, God showed Nephi the way to get the brass plates, and Nephi obeyed. He and his brothers returned to their father with the record. Nephi's why was strong enough that he was willing to keep moving into the unknown. (Optional: to read this full story, you can read 1 Nephi 3-4 or watch these videos).
Deal With Disappointment
Disappointment often comes from unmet expectations. Think about a time when your expectations were unmet. Perhaps you expected sunshine, but it rained all day. Perhaps you expected a good grade, but you scored poorly on a test. Maybe someone you love forgot to do something you expected them to do.
How you deal with disappointment can be a big factor in perseverance. Consider the following quote from an American minister named Jenkin Lloyd Jones:
“Life is like an old time rail journey … delays … sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
How has your life been like the old time rail journey? What have you done to keep yourself on track? Consider your experience in this course. What have you done to get yourself this far in spite of some disappointment along the way? This is evidence that you have persevered!
The quote above suggests gratitude as an antidote for disappointment. Consider the power of being thankful for what you already have as you struggle to obtain more knowledge. Not if, but when you are disappointed in the future, how can gratitude help you find peace and strength to carry on?
The Laws of Decreasing or Increasing Rewards
When life gets difficult, it can be tempting to give up and stop trying to improve. Consider the following video that illustrates the law of decreasing or increasing rewards. It also highlights a negative loop we can get into as we move back and forth from trying to giving up to trying to giving up again. As you watch the video, think how dealing with disappointment can help you move towards increasing rewards.
Video Source (04:51 mins) | Decreasing and Increasing Rewards Transcript
Answer these questions to see what you remember from reading the text above.
- What are some ways an online student steps into the unknown?
ANSWER - Disappointment often comes from __________.
ANSWER - According to the law of increasing rewards, the more time you spend doing good things, the more __________ you receive.
ANSWER
Work With Limited Resources
Of all the resources on the Earth at your disposal, by far the most important one is you! Don't remove the power source inside of you. This power comes in the form of your agency to choose good choices, to choose hard work, to make things happen. People who access their own power are said to be self-reliant.
Once you have established yourself as the person in charge of your success, look to others who can help you. Ask them for specific help. Be clear. For example, if you have a question about this course, you can contact your instructor. When you do, be clear. Ask from a position of self-reliance. Your instructor will be there to help you accomplish what you need to do.
You can bring in other helpers as well. Perhaps a neighbor can help you with technology troubles. Maybe a family member can read your writing and offer feedback before you submit an assignment. Through all of this, you are in charge of creating a network of resources and using them appropriately.
As you find resources around you, don't forget that Heavenly Father, through his son Jesus Christ, has opened a way for you to access divine power through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Consider the following scripture:
"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Alma 7:12
The Savior knows exactly what you are experiencing in life right now. He will know what it will be like a year from now. He will walk with you. Consider these scriptures:
"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Doctrine and Covenants 88:63
"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." Doctrine and Covenants 88:67
Access this power. Partner with Heavenly Father. Fill yourself with light. As you do, you can do hard things. You can persevere.
Nephi Relied on the Enabling Power of the Savior, a Divine Resource
We return to Nephi and his family after they had obtained the brass plates. Nephi again found himself in a difficult situation. He and his brothers were commanded to go back to Jerusalem to persuade Ishmael and his family to join them in the wilderness, to escape the prophesied destruction of Jerusalem. Ishmael's family agreed to go and everyone started on the journey to the wilderness, but along the way, Nephi's brother Laman and some others lost faith in the why. They tried to get everyone to go back to Jerusalem.
Read the following article excerpt from The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality by Elder David A. Bednar. Note how Nephi relied on the enabling power of the Savior (a divine resource) to help himself (an earthly resource) persevere and finish the task.
"Nephi exhorted his brethren to have faith in the Lord. It was at this point in their journey that Nephi’s brothers bound him with cords and planned his destruction. Please note Nephi’s prayer: 'O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound' (1 Nephi 7:17; emphasis added).
"Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? 'Please get me out of this mess now!' It is especially interesting to note that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement.
"I do not think the bands with which Nephi was bound just magically fell from his hands and wrists. Rather, I suspect he was blessed with both persistence and personal strength beyond his natural capacity, that he then 'in the strength of the Lord'(Mosiah 9:17) worked and twisted and tugged on the cords, and ultimately and literally was enabled to break the bands.
"The implication of this episode for each of us is straightforward. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14).
"Nephi’s simultaneous choice to change his circumstances and rely upon the Lord stems from a mindset in which he says, 'I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.' (1 Nephi 3:5-7). A remarkable thing happens when you choose to change your circumstances through the power of God. Not only can you find success, but by relying on the Lord’s timing and methods, you also learn along the way. You become a stronger disciple of Christ—more faithful, wiser, and with greater capacity to persevere."
Answer these questions to see what you remember from reading the text above.
- What is the most important earthly resource available to you?
ANSWER - According to Elder David A. Bednar, what did Nephi pray for when he was bound by his brothers?
ANSWER - What does understanding and employing the enabling power of the Atonement allow individuals to become, according to Elder Bednar?
ANSWER
W06 Gathering Prep
What will you do this week, in preparation for the gathering, to exemplify the Learning Model principle of “Teach One Another?” Take notes as you read the material this week. Write down your thoughts and ideas. According to the lesson this week, having perseverance involves (a) having a purpose, (b) stepping into the unknown, (c) dealing with disappointment, and (d) working with limited resources. Pick one of these principles and share it with someone you know.
After reading this lesson, ponder the following questions. If desired, record your thoughts in a learning journal.
- What is Nephi's "Why," and how has it helped him, even when his how and what have not been successful so far?
- How has your why kept you in this class this far?
- Identify at least three resources near you that can help you find your way.
- Do you think you have same right to ask Heavenly Father for help like Nephi did?
- Nephi knew exactly what was holding him back, and so his prayer was specific, “… give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.” As you ask for Heavenly Father’s help to persevere in this course, this program, and your entire education, how can you be specific?