Persistence

1. Definition
1. 1828: The state of persisting; steady pursuit of what is undertaken; perseverance in a good or evil course, more generally in that which is evil and injurious to others, or unadvisable.
1. Pursuit (dream)
2. Perseverance (tenacity)
1. Persistence is to not give up in striving towards something good
2. Quotes from Prophets
1. “We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness.” (ANN M. DIBB, General Conference, October 2009)
1. As afore shown, persistence is good! Stubbornness has the same idea but a different principle behind it.
2. “Gaining a testimony and becoming converted begins with study and prayer, then living the gospel with patience and persistence and inviting and waiting upon the Spirit.” (ROBERT D. HALES, General Conference, October 2003)
1. Persistence is something that God wants us to master. If we are persistent in living the gospel, we will receive exaltation.
3. Scriptures
1. And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.(Doctrine and Covenants 127:4)
1. Once more we see that this is something that Christ wants us to learn to do. Persevere!
4. Personal Definition

Before writing this I felt the Persistence was a neutral word, one that could define something bad as well as something good. No so. This is a good word. God has commanded us to be persistent in good, righteous things. If we follow the same principle of persistence in a bad way or form, that is stubbornness.  Let’s get persistent!