STIMULATOR message for the week of May 2, 1972
Message from President Eugene C. Ludwig, dated May 2, 1972
“I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Dear Fellow Missionaries:
Baptism is referred to as the gate way to the Celestial Kingdom. It is the starting point — the beginning. Baptism must be followed by a life of righteous living, dedicated activity and spiritual development and enduring to the end, if we are to reach the Celestial Degree.
Nephi taught the principle of enduring to the end when he said: “And now my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end in following the example of the Son, he cannot be saved…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 31:16-20)
One of the greatest qualities of character is the ability to continue to press forward until an assignment, goal, or responsibility is completed. Elder Richard L. Evans stated: “One of the indispensable elements of a sincerely successful life is the ability, power, and capacity, and the willingness to see things through — to carry things beyond conversation to conclusion. And one of the disappointing qualities of character is the failure to see things through.”
Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, portrays different kinds of people which are similar to present day behavior patterns of some people (1 Nephi 8). 1) They lost sight of their objective and became lost in darkness and temptation. They started with good intentions, but were easily distracted from the objective. 2) This group encountered the temptation and darkness, pressed on and even tasted of the fruit, then they became ashamed of their activities, went into inactivity after having tasted the spiritual joy. 3) Lehi described another group as follows — “..pressing forward, and then came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron, and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree (verse 30). This last group contained the qualities of enduring to the end. as described by the Lord. “And if you keep my commandments an endure to the end, you hall have eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)
Faithfully your companion,
President Eugene C. Ludwig
“A QUITTER NEVER WINS AND A WINNER NEVER QUITS.”
Click here to return to the Stimulator menu page
Click here to return to the Missionary Matters menu page
Click here to return to the Temples Menu page
Click here to return to the Main Menu page