Endure to the End

Abbey Thornock gave a great lesson today - technically it was about the plan of salvation, but that is such a broad topic so we spent a large portion of the time talking about the atonement and enduing to the end. This might sound weird but I love talking about enduring to the end because it reminds me that I've still got a long way to go, and I need to actively keep working at being a good person. Can't give up yet! And talking about the atonement makes me feel so grateful to God for everything in life. I always feel so blessed, humbled, and grateful that Jesus Christ would do someting like that for us.  :)

Anyways, just thought I'd jot down some quick notes here of thoughts I had, topics from the discussion, and points from the lesson. Hope you can find this useful or inspiring in some way! Please do make a comment if you had any special thoughts during the lesson that I didn't include here.

1.  The faithful will inherit eternal life with their families in the presence of Heavenly Father. This is such a great doctrine, and it's so comforting to know that we will still be with our family members after this life is over.
2. When enduring to the end, try to keep an eternal perspective and ask yourself what you are learning from your trials. It will make the big trials in this life seem more like stepping stones, rather than insurmountable hurdles.
3. Don't worry about being perfect! Women especially seem to have a preoccupation with being perfect at everything, but we need to realize that Christ's atonement makes up for our shortcomings. We still need to try our best, but we don't need to be overwhelmed at how hard it is, because He will help us.
4. "No one is perfect, that's why there was an atonement." - Some inspired words from Abbey. Let's all remember this!



The atonement is a gift - you need to choose to use it.  :)

5. I love this quote from Joseph F. Smith "I am sure that we all love the Lord. I know that he lives, and I look forward to that day when I shall see his face, and I hope to hear his voice say unto me: 'Come ye plessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
6. While we're talking about enduring to the end, let's not forget about this:

Also, this might seem obvious but it's just another thought I had today. God created us and the world we live in. He made the air we breathe and it is because of him that we can move around and do our daily tasks of going to work, going to school, taking care of children, playing, eating, reading. For everything we are and everything we do, we can never repay the Lord for what he has given us. But he doesn't mind and on top of all this he sent his only son to atone for all of our sins. Not because we deserve it or anything, but because he loves us and he wants us to be happy and to be able to live with him again someday. I am so amazed at the love he has for us, it always makes me want to be a better person.

Love you girls! I hope you each have an amazing week.

-Lisa