Greek mythology tells of Sisyphus, a king who was compelled by the gods to push a massive boulder to the top of a high mountain. Each time he reached the summit the boulder rolled back down the mountain and Sisyphus began again his endless charge of pushing the boulder to the top.

For many, life itself can seem to be such a relentless burden — an unavailing, day-to-day litany of repetitive tasks that hold little promise of reward, moments of joy or even a welcome end. The trials of, say, illness, oppression, sin, money trouble or loneliness have left many physically, emotionally and spiritually spent.

Since the expulsion of our first parents from Eden, mortality has been defined by challenge and toil. Adam and Eve ate their daily bread "in the sweat of thy face." And their latter-day progeny — each of us — are required to overcome their own varying degrees of hardship and struggle.

But trial-laden lives need not be defined by "Sisyphean" drudgery. If we are anchored in Christ and guided by His gospel, our daily tasks assume a different tone. We recognize perseverance to be a divine quality that allows us to realize both immediate purpose and eternal reward for all our noble efforts and labor.

In his April 2005 general conference address, President James E. Faust, then second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of high school friends who excelled in athletics, drama, music and speech.

"Some of them went on to achieve success in life, but too many of those gifted and able young people did not persevere and failed to achieve their potential. In contrast, several less visible young men and women at the same school worked diligently, persevered and continued with their education and became outstanding doctors, engineers, educators, lawyers, scientists, businessmen, artisans, electricians, plumbers and entrepreneurs."

Success, he added, is usually realized by persevering and by not becoming discouraged when encountering challenges. He quoted the popular news analyst and author Paul Harvey who once said: "Someday I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that someone will ask me, 'What's the secret of it?' I shall say simply this: 'I get up when I fall down.' "

The Lord's most faithful servants are not immune from life's daily challenges. In fact, almost all of the prophets of the ages can double as prime examples of perseverance through unwavering prayer, determination and hard work.

"Joseph Smith's perseverance made possible the Restoration of all things," said President Faust. "All of his life he was treated with contempt and ridicule — from the time he first related the account of the First Vision to a preacher of a prominent religion. But he never faltered and left with us his unwavering testimony."

Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic.

"It is not idly, passively waiting and hoping for some good thing to happen," said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve at the 1987 October general conference. "It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying.

"When some people have a difficult job to do, they give up everything else until that job is finished. Others just give up."

Elder Wirthlin repeated the account of the Old Testament's Job, who persevered in his faithfulness to the Lord despite having to endure indescribable sorrow and suffering. Job stared down each of his overwhelming and persistent challenges because he was empowered and emboldened by his testimony of Christ and an understanding of His eternal blessings.

"The result of Job's perseverance is told in the conclusion of the story," he said. "The Lord blessed him with a family, good health and great possessions. He continued in his course, despite unrelenting opposition, until he saw the Lord" (Job 42:5).

Elder Wirthlin went on to declare that perseverance is vital to success in any endeavor, whether spiritual or temporal, large or small, public or personal. Perseverance precedes success in Church callings, schooling or employment. It is an essential ingredient for all significant achievement.

It was British leader Winston Churchill, a statesman renowned for his determined spirit, who reminded Parliament and his people during the dreadful days to World War II to "Never, never, never give up."

"His message was indeed something to be remembered by [all] who heard it and by each of us," said Elder Wirthlin. "We must never give up, regardless of temptations, frustrations, disappointments or discouragements. ...

"Of course the ultimate example of perseverance is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has and will overcome every obstacle in doing the will of our Heavenly Father. Indeed, Jesus is perfect in perseverance and has taught us to be perfect even as He and His Father are perfect. Studying His life can help us learn and live this important principle.

"From the time of the premortal council in which Jesus became the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of all mankind, through His millennial reign, He has and will persevere in perfection, doing all that His Father commanded. Because of His love for us, He offered to fulfill the plan of salvation with these words, 'Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever' " (Moses 4:2).

Christ would again demonstrate perseverance during His mortal stay on earth, resisting Satan's temptations and, in His final days, enduring the taunts and physical abuse of His persecutors.

"Through His atonement and resurrection, He provided for all mankind both immortality and the possibility of eternal life. He paid the penalty for our sins if we will repent of them.

"How grateful I am for the effect upon me of His love and His perseverance," Elder Wirthlin declared.