Last Sunday our lesson with the Beehives (12 and 13 year old girls) at church was entitled
"Why does the Lord want me to be healthy?" We had some great discussions with these young women about caring for their bodies by following the Lord's law of health. We not only talked about avoiding things like tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco as mentioned in
Doctrine and Covenants 89, but also talked about eating healthy foods as mentioned in the same section of scripture. We discussed the counsel to keep our bodies free of drugs, the benefits of exercise and the importance of getting enough rest. The best part however, was talking about our bodies as special gifts from our Heavenly Father, how we knew we needed to come to earth and receive a mortal body so that we could progress and learn and eventually become like Him.
We also talked about the promises contained at the end of Doctrine and Covenants 89, promises given to those who follow this counsel.
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
I posed the question to these girls. "Does obeying the Word of Wisdom mean we will never have any health problems?" Knowing that the answer to this question is no, it was interesting to hear what the girls said. They talked about how we would definitely avoid some challenges. As I listened to them talk I thought about the spiritual side to these blessings. In some of the promises it is certainly easy to see the spiritual blessing, but verse 19 has always seemed more of a physical promise to me. But on Sunday another scripture popped into my head. Hebrews 12:1
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Paul is certainly talking of our spiritual race, not a physical one. And he is talking about running. The promises in Doctrine and Covenants suddenly meant even more. The Lord will bless us with the spiritual stamina to endure with patience all of the trials we face in this race of life. And where does this stamina come from? It comes through the enabling power of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
I have been reminded in several ways this week that we are each part of a great work. What we do matters to the Lord. HE does not us to be weary. As we keep His commandments and seek his help we can be strengthened in mind, body and spirit, and this can help us in all that we do.
