DiscussMormonism.com

Mormonmistress, a newer poster on the board, made this observation on another thread, and I thought it was worth bringing up as a topic of discussion:

mormonmistress wrote:What the heck is this 'enduring' business anyway. It makes life sound like a torture chamber. It shouldn't have to be endured! I personally take issue with that word being used in that way.

MM is a non-member, and as such, is hearing this term as an outsider.

Having grown up in the Church, and growing up hearing this phrase, to be honest, I hadn't really given it much thought.

I have lost count of how many talks I have heard regarding "enduring to the end".

I suppose that, from an outsider's point of view, it does give the connotation of life being something that has to be endured rather than enjoyed.

My interpretation of this phrase, however, had always been that when life does get difficult, and we face struggles, with God's help, we will have the strength to press through these struggles, thus, "enduring to the end".

In this context, it doesn't have the negativity that may otherwise be associated with it.

Thoughts, anyone?

I don't know....but I'd rather live life "enjoying to the end" rather than "enduring till the end".

I do think of it in negative terms. In my Mormon life I was a bit of a drama queen. I expected bad things to happen and they did. Why am I being persecuted by the adversary? Because I'm such a threat to the adversary with my faith.

Years down the road I was able to somewhat relieve myself from my persecution complex. I stopped expecting the bad things and the bad things stopped happening. (This is not to say nothing bad or trying happens to me, just that it stopped happening more than the next person.)

I do associate "endure to the end" with my persecution complex. I no longer endure life. I really enjoy it. I make it through the rough times like anyone does. With help from friends, with life knowledge that things will get better, etc.

My grandmother does have a magnet on her fridge that says "Endure it well." I think it's horrible! Endure what well, your yearly exam? Pap smears are to be endured, not life.

I have come to view that phrase as a form of self-congratulatory for living the church standards.

Many Mormons crave the notion of being persecuted even though they are not and like to think they are sacrificing sooo much to be LDS. But lets face it, if you can live with believing in bald face lies..the rest is cake.

I don't have much criticism of the phrase. The fact is, life is a difficult proposition no matter who you are, and parts of it will need enduring (unless you decide to take the easy route and jump off a tall building).

Sure, everyone wants to enjoy life, but enjoying life consists of understanding that life can be hard to handle and accepting that fact, thereby transcending its difficulty and making your life a bit easier.

Hang on a sec. Is <deleted> an insult on this board? I post elsewhere and <cancel> is a regular insult insinuating that you can't say anything nice.

"Enduring to the end" seems to be a carrot and stick philosophy that exists in religions that require high committment. It reminds me of the many paintings you see in LDS homes with the quote "I never said it would be easy I only said it would be worth it". *
http://deseretbook.com/store/product?sku=2168925


Both sayings ring very true in the minds of LDS members. All of the emotional investment, time obligations, and financial requirements to be a active member in the church can be tiring to many. I think the hope is that they made the right decision and it will be worth it in the end. Hopefully a life of High Committment = High Reward


* Even though this quote may ring true if you are LDS because it accurately describes your reality. The truth is Jesus never said it. In fact his words are quite the opposite.

Matthew 11
(28) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Phaedrus

No its not. It just means you deleted for any number of reasons (posted on wrong thread/bad tying/changed mind) but here you can't delet your post only its content. So sometimes people put "delete" there so it doens't look weird that there's an empty post.

Others put a message to the mods to delete the post and clean things up nice and tidy

MishMagnet wrote:Hang on a sec. Is <deleted> an insult on this board? I post elsewhere and <cancel> is a regular insult insinuating that you can't say anything nice.

No, it's not an insult, Mishie. Sometimes people give out too much in real life information or say things they later regret and delete it. The post may not have even been directed at you, it may have been a reply to the original post and then deleted. Dr. Steuss is a sweetheart. I wouldn't worry about it.

KA

MishMagnet wrote:Hang on a sec. Is <deleted> an insult on this board? I post elsewhere and <cancel> is a regular insult insinuating that you can't say anything nice.

No...it just means that the poster deleted his or her initial post. Only a Moderator can completely delete the window they posted in...which I will do shortly.

;)