Perseverance James E. Faust Second counselor in the first presidency - notes

Perseverance

James E. Faust

Second counselor in the first presidency

Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don’t give up even when others say, “It can’t be done.”

Here are some blessings a young man can receive by serving a mission:

1. How to organize and use time wisely
2. The importance of hard work—that you reap what you sow
3. Leadership skills
4. People skills
5. The value of gospel study
6. Respect for authority
7. The importance of prayer
8. Humility and dependence on the Lord

Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don’t give up even when others say, “It can’t be done.” 

There were four elders, Ezra T Benson, Lorenzo Snow, Alma Smith, and William W Cluff sent on a mission to Honolulu when their small boat was hit with a big wave and then another from the other side as they were reaching the shoreline.  The boat tipped over and the people on the shore came out to help.  There were three elders swimming towards the tipped boat and the people brought them aboard their boat.  They could not find the fourth elder, elder Snow so the people were jumping in and searching for him and the did find him, stiffed and lifeless they pulled him aboard the small boat and laid him across the laps of elder Smith and elder Cluff who prayed asking the Lord to spare his life. When they reached the shore the elders found some empty barrels that they laid elder snow face down on and began rolling him back and forth releasing the water he had swallowed.  The elder worked on him for some time with no indication of life. They were determined to not give up so they said another little prayer.  They were impressed to do something that was unusual for that time, one of the Elders placed his mouth over Brother snow's mouth and started breathing in and out trying to inflate his lungs taking turns with the other two elders they persevered until they were successful in inflating his lungs.  With their perseverance, all four of the Lord's servants survived and were able to complete their mission.

All of our latter-day prophets are examples of determination through the priesthood, prayer, and work. Joseph Smith showed perseverance through the restoration of the gospel. He was ridiculed and treated with contempt from the first time he told his first vision to the translating of the Book of Mormon. 

Brigham Young showed perseverance, he had the bold determination to bring 60,000 people from their lands and homes to the wilderness, traveling by foot, wagons, and pulling handcarts to the dessert where they made their homes.  President Gordon B Hinkley was called as the president and was asked what his plans would be and he said "to carry on" to carry on this great work.  Gordon B Hinkley when on to having 87 temples built, dedicated, rededicated or announced.