Power of Persistence

Winning the Race

The race between the Tortoise and the Hare is a good example of perseverance.  The Tortoise won the race because he was persistent in what he wanted to achieve.  The Hare on the other hand who had the greater potential lost the race because he was not persistent.  He allowed himself occasionally to be drawn away from what he wanted to accomplish.  It was the persistent effort of the Tortoise that won the race. Winning the race of life is a product of persistence.

Triumph Over ALL Your Foes

Our Father in heaven encouraged Joseph Smith to maintain persistence when he counseled the Prophet:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes”  (D & C 121: 7-8).

The power of persistence increases our inner strength and brings understanding through experience and inspiration.  When experience and understanding takes place in our life, change also takes place and that change has an enduring effect on our mind and heart.  The power of persistence is necessary to become what we may become.  Without it we may become what we did not want to become.

Press On

Calvin Coolidge the 30th President of the United States stated:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts, persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” (Quote from a program at a Coolidge memorial service, 1933; cited in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations,1999.)

President Hunter Getting Better Not Bitter

While serving as secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I witnessed the power of persistence in the example of  President Howard W. Hunter.  He was informed that he would not walk again. However, his faith and determination were greater than that message.  Daily, without fanfare and the knowledge of others, he went through some very strenuous physical therapy exercises with persistence, faith, and the vision that he would walk again.

Months later, on a Thursday morning, I went to President Hunter’s office to discuss an agenda item for the temple meeting that morning.  I found he’d left early and was informed that he was walking to the temple.  I questioned that information and then hurried to catch up with him.  When I caught up with him, he was walking with the help of a walker.  We walked together to the elevator and then up to the fourth floor.  We went down the hall to the upper room of the temple.  When their President walked into that room, the Twelve stood and began to clap their hands.

They tenderly watched him walk over to his chair and let his body down into the chair.  Then with magnificent love, honor, and tenderness, each of the Twelve went up to him and extended to him an affectionate touch or kiss on the forehead or a hug, showing their great love and admiration for him.  They all sat down, and President Hunter thanked them and said, “I was not supposed to walk again, but with the Lord’s help and my determination and, most important the faith of my Brethren of the Twelve, I am walking again,” (Rulon G. Craven, “Prophets,” Ensign, May 1991).

President Howard W. Hunter was always an example of perseverance in the face of adversity.  He always believed in getting better -  never bitter.

No failure except in giving up

Persistence and perseverance are very much alike. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated:

“Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic. It is not idly, passively waiting and hoping for some good thing to happen. It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying,” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Never Give Up,” Ensign, Nov. 1987).

There are two different ways of accepting the challenges in the race of life.  One way is to look at life challenges as a learning and growing experience.  The other way is to see challenges as burdens or hardships.  The first will bring growth, self improvement and happiness.  The second will bring disappointments, discouragement and may at times create depression.

Principle

Persistence is the paramount ingredient of success in any race.  He who is persistence in knowing and doing what he desires to do will always be a person of influence because nothing of any significance can be achieved without persistence.

Additional Information

Thomas S. Monson, “Never Give Up,” New Era, Sep. 1994.

Elaine S. Dalton YouTube Video. (2 minutes  55 seconds) MormonMessages.  Describes how a grueling marathon race taught her about prayer and the strength we can receive from God.

Rulon G. Craven

Rulon G .Craven was employed 20 years at Brigham Young University on the administrative faculty for Business Affairs. He also served as the Director of the Arronic Priesthood working under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric of the LDS Church, after which he served over 13 years as Secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

His LDS Church callings include: Bishop, member of a Stake Presidency, Mission President, Regional Representative, board member and 2nd counselor in the General Presidency of the Sunday School, Member of the 2^nd Quorum of the Seventy and President of the New Zealand Temple.

He is also a current member of the Upward Reach Board of Trustees.