Resolve

RESOLVE-noun.
1. Firmness or unwavering adherence to one’s purpose; resolution.

2. A determination or decision; a fixed purpose.

3. A formal resolution made by a deliberative body.

4. To come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something)

Synonyms: steadiness, firmness of purpose, resolving power, solving, resolving, resolution, resoluteness, result,solvent, resolve, soundness, declaration, answer, settlement, firmness, closure, solution 

Recently I've been asking myself about resolution. More specifically, I've been thinking about personal resolution.  What does it take to form personal resolve? What is the source of a firm resolution? When someone is lost in the middle of a desert without water why do they keep going? Or when someone is lost in the artic without shelter why do they push on? When you’ve sprinted 25 miles what makes you push through that last mile?

Let’s look at Moroni, the young captain of the Nephite armies: Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God. Moroni was a man of God and this was his motivation…the service of God. When it came time to war he proposed a resolve that the men who served under him might also have something to “fight for”:  And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. This was the title of liberty. The armies resolve stemmed from a greater purpose in the protection of God, religion, freedom and family.

The Book of Mormon teaches us in 2^nd Nephi And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter.... And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a clove 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. But where does that resolve come from? Why do I try so hard to endure? Is it testimony? Is it the thought of being able to live with God again?

What about when you fast a meal? What keeps you from eating? What allows you to hold out for a long time (the 24 hour period) and abstain from food and drink the entire time? Is it the promise of blessings that increase your fortitude?

I taught a lesson a few weeks ago about desire. I said that desire shapes our priorities, which in turn determines our choices, which in turn affects who we become (Elder Dallin H Oaks taught this, it wasn’t my stuff). Is our desire then the source of resolve? There are many examples within the scriptures of those who had a firm mind in what they were going to do and did it. What about outside of scripture?

But what about the athlete? Is an athlete’s resolve to keep going based in trying to get back to heaven? I would say no(I guess people make a big deal about Tim Tebow and tebowing and what not. Maybe you could say that he is playing for Jesus. I am not going to dog him for that). My dad once told me that to be the best you need to be willing to do what no one else does. He spoke of basketball players like Michael Jordan who were the best not so much because they had the most talent or natural athletic ability but because they worked the hardest at their sport. They put in the time. He would simultaneously tell me about the 10,000 hour rule. That if you put ten thousand hours that you could be elite. But why? Why do it? Money? Fame? The love of the game? To be the best? Lots of people have wanted these things but have not pursued this venue. Not everyone can be Jordan.

What about Gandhi? He supposedly said: Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:

I shall not fear anyone on Earth.

I shall fear only God.

I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.

I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.

I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.

Is that then all it takes? To tell yourself something every morning? Is that where true conviction stems from?

(I think it’s funny how it seems that you can validate anything by talking about Michael Jordan or quoting Gandhi. People seem to think more of it regardless of whether or not the quote was accurate)

What about the Occupy Wall Street protesters? Why quit your job and head to protest (as many had done?) why weather the cold? Why face pepper spray? What is keeping them out there and not letting them return to the comfort of their homes? Social injustice? The idea that they can bring about change? Many people believe in something but hardly spend the time or energy fighting for it with such vigor. Not everyone is MLK Jr.

What about war? What causes a person to go to war and not run when you see it rear its ugly head? Why sign up for the army in the first place and keep fighting? The fact of the matter is that war is scary and people die and that is sad. Yet many willingly sign up to give their life. And many lose it without hesitation. Why? Where does that resolve come from? Where does that conviction come from?

So I've been watching movies and I see different heroes go above and beyond to show what the human spirit is capable of. With vast sweeping benevolent music it ushers me, as a viewer forward along the plot. Raising, pushing, pulling and dipping me as if leading, the music carries me across the floor, engaging me in the protagonist. I've been watching sports with huge 4^th quarter heroics and last second comebacks. The frustrations are apparent and the wins are glorious, each athlete trying to etch his name in the books of history and the minds of the people. I've been looking at the politicians and they fight and debate and campaign.  And I've been wondering where they all get their resolve.

Well what about the average Joe? If I'm not on a crusade, not trying to go to the Super bowl, if I'm not in a battle on the front lines, and if I don’t have a full orchestra playing out each and every heightened moment of my life then where is my motivation stemming from? What makes the average person get out of bed every day and go to do the same job everyday? If there is nothing on the line where does one find the unshakable resolve to keep going? To hold steadfast and firm as opposed to just passively letting life go by?  President Monson talked about finding Joy in the journey. Is that where the resolve comes from? a satisfaction from the journey?

Where does resolve come from? How can you increase it? not for just the great ones but for the layman as well. How do you cultivate more resolve? How can you acquire an iron will? Where do you get the gusto to push or keep pushing when others quit?(or even succeed but where you have fallen short?) why is it that some people have it so strong and others do not? 

What do you think?