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My Foundation: Take Responsibility and Persevere—Maximum Time: 20 Minutes

Ponder:Why does Heavenly Father want me to take personal responsibility for my life?

Watch:“Sedrick’s Journey,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read page 129.)

Sedrick’s Journey

If you are unable to watch the video, read this script.

still from Sedrick’s Journey

Sedrick: My name is Sedrick Kambesabwe. I live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I’m a member of the LDS Church.

I’m a branch missionary in the village of Kipusanga. I need to prepare to go on a foreign mission. In order to go on a mission, I need a passport, which now costs 250 U.S. dollars.

To earn money, my father and I buy bananas. Some villages produce a lot of bananas: Tishabobo, Lusuku, and Kamanda.

Tishabobo is about 9 miles from here. Lusuku is 18 miles. Kamanda is 18 as well. We go there and buy bananas, and we bring them back here to sell.

To go to the villages we use a bicycle. We can take four or six bunches of bananas.

When I go by bike, it can take an hour and a half each way, if the bike is working and I have the strength. When it is midday and the heat is oppressive, I move slowly because of the heat and the sun.

I can do two trips per day if I wake up very early in the morning. It is a good way to help pay for my passport.

Now I’m earning money, little by little, so I’m saving for both school expenses and the mission. And now, after four years of work, I have enough money for my passport, plus 70 dollars saved.

Back to page 128.

Discuss:How do we learn to keep going, even when the work is difficult?

Read:Doctrine and Covenants 42:42 and the quote by President James E. Faust (on the right)

“Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.”

Doctrine and Covenants 42:42

“Perseverance is demonstrated by those who … don’t give up even when others say, ‘It can’t be done.’”

James E. Faust, “Perseverance,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 51

Discuss:Read the quote by Elder D. Todd Christofferson (on page 129). Why does the Lord expect us to work for what we receive?

“God has designed this mortal existence to require nearly constant exertion. … By work we sustain and enrich life. … Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, … sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, … lifts, [and] aspires.”

D. Todd Christofferson, “Reflections on a Consecrated Life,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 17

Activity

Step 1: Choose a partner and read together each step in the pattern below.

Step 2: Ask each other to talk about a very hard task or challenge the other currently faces.

Step 3: Help each other apply the four steps below to the difficult task or challenge.

pattern for difficult task

Step 4: Write two or three ways you can move forward with faith, trusting that God will provide.

Ponder:Read the quote by President Thomas S. Monson (on the right). How do I react when I experience failure?

“Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to competence, from failure to achievement. Our task is to become our best selves. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Will Within,” Ensign, May 1987, 68

Commit:Commit to do the following actions during the week. Check the box when you complete each action.

• Choose something that is hard or uncomfortable and finish the task. Write it below.

• Share what you’ve learned today about work and perseverance with your family and friends.