2 Nephi 31:20

This year’s Mutual theme helps us see how we can move forward while standing firm.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Endure to the end

“The test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “In the Strength of the Lord,” Liahona, May 2004, 17.

Ye shall have eternal life

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Father has promised us eternal life—to become like Him—if we do certain things. Here are some scriptures that mention a few of those things:

Feasting upon the word of Christ

“To feast means more than to taste. To feast means to savor. We savor the scriptures by studying them in a spirit of delightful discovery and faithful obedience. When we feast upon the words of Christ, they … become an integral part of our nature.”

President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17.

A love of God and of all men

“A love of God and of all men” covers both of the two great commandments (see Matthew 22:37–40). Another word for this kind of love might be charity, or the pure love of Christ (see Moroni 7:47).

Perfect brightness of hope

“While weak hope leaves us at the mercy of our moods and events, ‘brightness of hope’ produces illuminated individuals. Their luminosity is seen, and things are also seen by it! … Sometimes in the deepest darkness there is no external light—only an inner light to guide and to reassure.”

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Brightness of Hope,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 35.

Press forward

What do you need to do while you press forward on the path to eternal life? Read what the people in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life did (see 1 Nephi 8:30). Can you think of other examples from the scriptures?

Steadfastness in Christ

Steadfastness means standing firm, not moving. Steadfastness in Christ means unwavering faith in Him and obedience to His commandments, including receiving ordinances and making and keeping covenants.