AUGUST 18-24: “A Principle with Promise”

Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants 89-92

My dear friend Emily Watts has taught about how excited we were to come to this earth and receive a body. "Did you get the one you wanted?" she asks.

Where do we learn to be less enamored with the glorious body of flesh we're given? Who is it that tells us we're not good enough because we're not like someone else? Have you seen a young child who doesn't love their body?

Sweet 2-year-old angel C.J. was born with physical limitations. While he will hopefully learn to walk some day, he has many steps to go before then. Even so, he kicks and twists and rolls his body with joyful exuberance; he laughs when tickled, grins when cuddled and loved. His body, even with limitations, houses a beautiful spirit that brightly radiates from within. His body is a blessing to him, and to all of us who are blessed to be part of his family.

These Bodies - The Many

Any who recognize a divine spirit within themselves cannot help but also perceive the holiness of our physical vessel. As we honor that, we then treat ourselves, and others, with dutiful respect. We keep ourselves clean, mindful of healthy habits in what we put into our body and how we use it. We treasure our body - not as a show for others, and certainly not as a commodity. We use our minds, hands, arms, legs and hearts to uplift, not to harm or degrade. In this, we invite the divine to dwell within us.

Temple Body - Marya Stark

Seraphim and Cherubim, hosts of heaven stood by in awe as the holy son of God descended from heaven into a mortal body. What could make earth's dust take a form so remarkable that the Father of our flesh would take it upon Himself? Is it the fact that we are created by a holy being, or is it so that we can better serve our creator, and all His creations, including ourselves?

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Keith and Kristyn Getty

We learn best when we are young of how precious and glorious our bodies are. What a miracle that the cut we got last week has healed to nearly unnoticed this week. How do our bodies know how to fix that?

As we learn good habits for our body's care, we are less tempted by the 'evils and designs' 'of conspiring men' who will gleefully destroy us only for the love of riches they gain in selling us their harmful products. I won't list them here, you know what they are.

Essentially the promise of the principle is this: as you take care of your body, the divine power can dwell within and take care of you, both physically and spiritually. Janeen Brady has a song called 'Gigo' - meaning 'Garbage In, Garbage Out'. In other words, what you put into your body or mind, is what you'll get out of it. I also like to think of it as a marinade. What do you marinade yourself in? And what flavors do you expect you'll absorb from that? (Sorry not to include the Gigo song but you can find it on YouTube)

So we put into our bodies what is healthy from the abundance our creator provided for our bodies' use. Marinade in what uplifts and edifies. And think again about the harmful things of 'conspiring men' that are so tempting and addictive.

If you have forgotten some of what your mother tried to teach you - then visit the eight doctors....

My Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit - Let’s Sing, Kids of Hope

Know who you are and own it! We are each a child of God, made in His image. The flesh we wear now is the flesh He can one day perfect to be immortal, indestructible, everlasting and eternal even as He is.

In that mirror - man do I look good!