We endure to the end by repeatedly and iteratively “relying wholly upon” the doctrine and “merits” of Christ. “Repeatedly” means that we cycle through the elements in the doctrine of Christ throughout our lives. “Iteratively” means that we change and improve with each cycle. Even though we cycle repeatedly, we are not spinning in circles like on a merry-go-round without upward motion. If that were the case, the experience would be dizzying and unproductive. Instead, as we cycle through the elements of the doctrine of Christ, we arrive at a higher plane each time. This ascent provides new vistas and perspectives and brings us closer to the Savior. And we eventually return to the presence of our Heavenly Father as an heir to all that He has."
- Elder Dale G. Renlund, "Lifelong Conversion", BYU Speeches, September 14, 2021
As Elder Renlund explains further...imagine a road up a mountain to get to the top. If we see an overhead aerial view of that road, it looks as if it's just back and forth, sometimes going in circles, in a linear, 2-dimensional fashion. But....if we change our perspective and look at it from a side angle, we see that same road leading up to the top in a more 3-dimensional fashion. It's still winding back and forth sometimes round and round, but it is leading up, higher and higher.
So sometimes the monotony of everyday tasks and actions seem to just make us go in circles and we think we're not making any progress. We get discouraged. We get frustrated. We think we're going at it alone.
But....if we change our perspective, we'll see that we may be going round and round, but we are also going higher and higher. And therefore, closer and closer to heaven and our Father.