I believe that if we could create in our minds a clear and true picture of eternal life, we would start behaving differently. We would not need to be prodded to do the many things involved with enduring to the end, like doing our home teaching or visiting teaching, attending our meetings, going to the temple, living moral lives, saying our prayers, or reading the scriptures. We would want to do all these things and more because we realize they will prepare us to go somewhere we yearn to go.

Note that the list above contains 6 items as examples of things that are involved with enduring to the end. Not how that list (which we often think of) differs from the five ingredients for Eternal Life – in number, but more importantly in the nature and focus of the list.

“Water baptism begins the work of purification and enlightenment. Spirit baptism completes it” (Baptism – The Birth of Water and of Spirit, Orson F. Whitney [n.d.], 10).

Obviously, this is not an easy task. It is intended to be difficult, challenging, and, ultimately, refining as we prepare to return to live with our Father in Heaven and receive eternal blessings.

The five Ingredients to Eternal Life:

1. It requires the Savior’s redemptive power so we must continue to repent. Ideally, we repent moment by moment, but we also attend sacrament meeting each week to partake of the sacrament.
2. Enduring to the end requires the Holy Ghost.
3. We must be an integral part of a community of Saints, serving and receiving service from our brothers and sisters in the gospel.
4. We must share the gospel with others, the gospel takes deeper root in those who share it frequently.
5. We must always maintain faith and hope in Christ to endure to the end. (The list in the opening quote help with this ingredient) These practices will fortify us against the subtle schemes and fiery darts of the adversary.