2 Nephi 31:20- Pressing Forward

Today I was studying 2 Nephi 31:20 and it came at me in a whole new way. It was impactful enough I think it will be a good idea to share it.

This scripture is a road map as well as a promise. If we will do certain things, then there will be a reward of something that we truly want. 

Our side:

• Press forward- there will be many things in our way and darkness over our paths, but if we take it one day at a time, one step at a time, we will be able to overcome the difficulties of the road.
• Steadfastness in Christ- He is our guiding light and our foundation. Keeping our eyes and heats on Him each day will help us to be able to make the journey home.
• Prefect brightness of hope- Hope is essential. Hope in Christ. That He lives and he completed the Atonement. Hope in His power over death. That hope will light the way to our eternal home.
• Love of God and all men- Love will be what motivates us to make righteous decisions. Our love for God will help us to want to be able to do what is right so that we can please Him and return to Him after this life. It will motivate us to serve purely and with all of our hearts. Those two things will be essential on our journey home.
• Feasting upon the word- It is not enough to munch once in awhile upon the word. We will miss essential inspirations, spiritual moments and doctrinal insights in our lives. When we feast on his word, we continually seek for, study, and want to know more of His gospel.
• Endure to the end- We can't just do these things once and then check it off, never returning to it again. This is a daily to do list. We have to hold fast to the gospel throughout the torrential downpours, landslides, and quicksands of life. This is not a gospel of convenience. We don't follow it only when it suits us, when it fits best in our lives. There will be challenges. With it a voice calling for us to let go. Hold one even when it doesn't make sense. When you do, it will make sense in time. Enduring is the final key because it tests us and our faith. As well as helps us and our faith to make it through each difficulty of life. 

Promise: "Ye shall have eternal life"

It is interesting that it doesn't say make perfect choices. Or have 100% righteousness. It doesn't say to be a super mom, super Relief Society president or super visiting teacher. In order to receive Eternal life, we are not required to have super human traits. Heavenly Father knew that we weren't going to be prefect, but He also wanted us to return to live with Him. That is why He sent His Son to suffer for our sins, overcome death and set the example of this lives that we need to live. He does not require us to try to do it on our own, even though our pride and Satan will want us to try. It is merely required that we give our best. Not to be the best, but to be our best. And these are the keys to get there and achieve it. Our best will always be good enough. We cannot fall short if we use every aspect of the atonement to do all that we can to be the best that we can be.

Talks for further study:

"In the Strength of the Lord" by David A. Bednar at a BYU Devotional on October 23, 2001

"The Strength to Endure" by Richard J. Maynes in the October 2013 General Conference