Elder Claudio Daniel Zivic: 'Success has a price'
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REXBURG, IDAHO
Perseverance is the key to success, Elder Claudio Daniel Zivic of the Seventy said during a campus devotional held in the Brigham Young University-Idaho Center in Rexburg, on Nov. 15.
"To persevere means to maintain the ability to endure, to carry on, to continue in the same state without weakening or perishing," he said. "It is being able to go on in the face of pain, oppression, discouragement or suffering, without being defeated."
It is through persevering in the things that matter that usually requires constant effort, he said.
"Over time, it will bear the fruits we long to obtain," Elder Zivic said. "If our path has no obstacles, our progress will be limited. Success has a price and there is no choice but to pay that price in order to obtain it."
Elder Zivic shared many examples of perseverance in the scriptures. One example was Joseph, the son of Jacob, who is also called Israel. Although Joseph was treated poorly by his brothers, falsely accused of trying to have relations with Potiphar's wife and was forced into imprisonment for years, he still remained true — despite many trials.
"Joseph's spiritual greatness was outstanding," Elder Zivic said. "After so many trials he would have been justified in giving up and saying, 'What is the use of trying to serve God if my reward is only punishment?' But Joseph persevered in his faithfulness to God in spite of the great difficulties of his life. In the end, his perseverance bore wonderful fruits. His service blessed the lives of the Egyptians and the Hebrews and the progress and maturity he achieved were ample compensation for his suffering."
Another example Elder Zivic spoke of was the Apostle Paul and his brave and faithful preaching of the truth.
"What a great example of perseverance even though he knew he would inevitably suffer a martyr's death," Elder Zivic said.
Drawing from the Book of Mormon, Elder Zivic shared the story of Abinadi's courage and perseverance even at the cost of his own life.
"These were all imperfect human beings living in a world of realities similar to ours," he said. "They were not fictional characters. Their perseverance on the right path is worthy of admiration and gratitude for the great example they gave us."
The difference with today's demands, Elder Zivic said, is that individuals are not required to offer their own lives as an example of perseverance, but asked to live good lives that exemplify the Savior.
"What is asked of us is that we be productive in the things that are pleasing to God — living to serve and persevering in things of eternal value," Elder Zivic said. "What great blessings we will be able to receive if we endure valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ! It does not only mean receiving material possessions. ... We are talking about spiritual possessions, having eternal families, eternal increase, eternal happiness."
A crucial part of that eternal happiness and perseverance is repentance, he said.
"The Lord will hold us guiltless if we persevere in the process of repentance," he said. "If any of you have not confessed some serious sin, this is the time to do it. ... Face the situation and resolve it in the Lord's way."
Through repenting and continuing to live faithful, individuals are able to perfect themselves through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
"We have the responsibility of perfecting ourselves day by day," he said. "As we do so, our understanding increases, we feel more secure in facing responsibility. Sometimes we think that this progress will never come, but it will come. All that you are studying is of God. ...
"Be very careful in your professional lives. Do not have false gods before the Lord. Be wise. Do not let yourselves be carried away by the current of the world. Seek the Lord's inspiration and guidance to make wise decisions. Let the material things you earn be a blessing and not a curse in your lives and those of your families."
It is through the Savior's ultimate perseverance that every individual has the opportunity to live with Heavenly Father again, he said.
"How grateful I am that our Savior Jesus Christ endured to the end, fulfilling His mission of atoning for our sins," he said. "If He had not done so, our hope of returning to live with our Heavenly Father would be in vain. He suffered for our sins, pains, depressions, anguish, infirmities and fears so He knows how to help us, encourage us, comfort us and give us strength to be able to persevere and obtain that crown that is reserved for those who are not defeated.
"Today we live our realities. Everyone has his time of trials, of happiness, decisions to make, obstacles to overcome, opportunities to capture. Remember that, as someone said, 'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' ...
"Our Heavenly Father is constantly telling us, 'I love you, I sustain you, I am with you, Do not give up. Repent and persevere in the path I have shown you. That way I promise you that we will see each other again in our heavenly home.'"
