We are commanded to endure to the end, but what is it that we are enduring, and what is the end to which we must endure? Many of us assume that the “end” that we must endure is the end of our trials and suffering. We must feel pain until there is no more pain. Although in some respects this may be true, it casts a somewhat bleak light on “the end”. “In Matt. 5:48, the term perfect was translated from the Greek teleios, which means “complete.” Teleios is an adjective derived from the noun telos, which means “end.” The infinitive form of the verb is teleiono, which means “to reach a distant end, to be fully developed, to consummate, or to finish.” Please note that the word does not imply “freedom from error”; it implies “achieving a distant objective.” In fact, when writers of the Greek New Testament wished to describe perfection of behavior—precision or excellence of human effort—they did not employ a form of teleios; instead, they chose different words.” (“Perfection Pending”, Russell M Nelson). Enduring to the end ought to be a joyful endeavor. We are enduring our state of imperfection but striving constantly forward until we at least reach our distant objective of perfection. Enduring to the end is not some terrifying demolition derby where we try to survive ten rounds with our junker car and then at the end we're given a brand new Ferrari. Rather, it's more like we are slowly but surely restoring a vintage car piece by piece with a master craftsman. I hope we can all take a more hopeful outlook on enduring to the end and take joy and pleasure in returning again and again to the master craftsman to replace each broken and worn out piece of our souls with a slightly more perfect version.
