Humans are, by nature, inconsistent. We say one thing one minute and the opposite the next. We are capable of incredibly strong and passionate feelings about certain issues, only to find that we have abandoned them years later. Our minds, hearts, and thoughts are prone to incredible swings—at times, from one extreme to the other. Our feet would just as soon meander as walk a straight course. God, on the other hand, exhibits no unsteadiness. Hugh Nibley stated, “steadiness and durability are the marks of the highest and best qualities of character, as in God himself, who exhibits no ‘variableness neither shadow of changing’ (Mormon 9:9).”
The prophets over the years have been concerned with ’the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men.’ Elijah asked, ‘How long halt ye between two opinions’ (1 Kgs 18:13). Joshua suggested, ‘choose you this day whom ye will serve’ (Josh 24:15). Paul taught that one of the functions of organized religion is to keep us from being ’children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine’ (Eph 4:14). No greater example of such spiritual vacillation can be found than in the lives of the Nephites. They were the fastest in history to go from righteous to wicked. In Helaman 11, they went from righteous to wicked in 5 years, and from wicked to incredibly wicked in the next 4 years.
In order that history doesn’t repeat itself, we need to be more consistent, but the steadiness of true discipleship does not come naturally. We need helps, reminders, and constant diligence to stay on course The Book of Mormon is full of symbolic reminders: the strait and narrow path, the iron rod, the strait gate, and the injunction to endure to the end (Jacob 6:11). As Nephi reminds us, ’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…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.’ (2 Nephi 31:19-20).
Henry B. Eyring
"You and I need to be patient, and for a reason. A quick reading of the Book of Mormon, a few prayers, a shallow attempt at repentance, a casual regard for the covenants we’ve made—of course, that is not enough. The scriptures use over and over again the word ‘steadiness’ to describe faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. When faith and repentance and diligent efforts to live the commandments have gone on long enough that virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, then the doctrine of the priesthood, the truthful answers to the questions that really matter, will distill upon us as the dews from heaven.
"That’s been my experience with seeking the confirmation of truth by the Spirit of God. I have at times sought it by singular effort, in times of great need, and it has come. Investigators have that experience when they reach the point where they must know if the Book of Mormon is true.
“But far more often for me, I notice the Spirit’s presence in quiet confirmations at times when all I seem to have done is plod on in diligence, doing the simple things—searching the scriptures with a prayer in my heart and with more concern for others, and therefore less time for pursuits that let Satan, the father of lies, entice me. It’s in periods of that steadiness that I notice the Holy Ghost, almost in the way you’re surprised to discover that your shoes are wet from the dew formed on the grass overnight, and I look up and realize that my mind has been enlightened and my heart has been enlarged.” (To Draw Closer to God, p. 120)