I was invited to teach a lesson at church a few weeks ago to the young women (ages 12-18) in my congregation. They wanted to have a lesson about the importance of physical health, from a spiritual perspective.

I’m deeply passionate about this topic, so I absolutely agreed! The following is my lesson outline with a simple powerpoint presentation.

Our Amazing Human Body

Slide 1

Watch YouTube Video

President Nelson shares some incredible facts about what our human body is capable of in this video called, “God’s Greatest Creation”.

Question: What did you learn about how amazing our bodies are

• Heart with 4 delicate valves that open and close 100,000 times PER DAY
• Finer than any camera equipment
• Smarter than any sound system
• REPAIRS ITSELF- literally, everything else in this world wears out or wears down with use, ours rebuilds and gets stronger! 
• Detoxify’s (cleans out)  it’self- not necessary to take any supplements to make this happen. It already does it on it’s own. 
• Develops it’s own defenders/.shields
• Paul described it as a temple of God 

Slide 2

READ SCRIPTURE 2 CORINTHIANS 3:16-17

Question: What does it mean that we our bodies are temples:

• Temples:  The finest materials- body- the finest materials
• Physical building kept clean, body, keep clean
• The Holy Spirit resides there (in the temple plus your body)
• Divinely designed
• sacred, peaceful, clean, protected, and purposeful
• No two temples are alike- talk about the differences between Lindon and timpanogos temple? 
• Your soul is made up of your body and spirit. The physical health and spiritual health closely connected.  We have the word of wisdom to teach principles of caring for our body- and to promise spiritual and physical blessings,.
• Christs own words “destroy this temple and in 3 days I will raise it up”, RESURRECTION

QUOTE 2 DAVID O MCKAY

The healthy man, who takes care of his physical being, has strength and vitality; his temple is a fit place for his spirit to reside.

Slide 4

The Benefits of Health

The following are some of the benefits of having a healthy body:

• We Are Able to Serve Better : The healthier we are, the more capable we are of serving others and bringing happiness to them and ourselves.  Tell the story of getting the flu on my mission and how it made it impossible to get out and meet people. Tell the story of my mom being sick and how it made it difficult to serve in callings.
• We Are Better Leaders: Because leaders need strength and energy to fulfill their callings, they need to be as healthy as possible. Tell the story of my ability to serve as Relief society president
• We Feel Better about Ourselves and Others When we keep our bodies healthy, we feel good about ourselves and have enthusiasm for our work. We also have more patience, love, and kindness for others.
• We Are Able to Provide for Ourselves and Our Families The healthier our bodies are, the better able we are to work and thus provide for ourselves and our families.

Question: When we are sick, how do we feel?

Unmotivated, lacking energy, bad mood, desire to withdraw and seclude yourself. Hide, sleep the day away.

When we are healthy, we have energy, motivation, confidence and a general feeling that we want to work hard and make the most of our lives.

Slide 5

QUOTE 3 Barbara Smith

The state of our health affects every facet of our life- our feeling of personal well-being, our approach to work, our social interactions, even our service to the Lord.

Story of both grandmothers. I had two grandmothers. One was tap dancing until she was in her late 90’s. She kept her mind alert and worked as a judge in California till she was 90. She was very energetic and active. My other grandmother was a smoker, didn’t eat well, and died young. The contrast couldn’t be more extreme. I quickly learned who I wanted to pattern my life after to live a full and optimal life.

Being healthy will help us do the Lord’s work! Story of Daniel!

Slide 6

Maintaining Physical Health: How to Take Care of Our bodies

I was capable of spending the BULK of the time on this section. I have so much to say about the word of wisdom, the importance of diet and exercise, and the overall care of our bodies. So, spend as much time as you want on this slide!

But also, it should be noted, that the stories and quotes in this section are copied and pasted from the church’s website, although all attributions may be missing!

Many health problems result from unclean living conditions, disease, excess weight, poor diet, fatigue, and lack of exercise. Regardless of where we live, we may be affected by these health problems. To prevent or solve these health problems, we must first realize what our personal health problems are. Once we have learned this, we can develop programs suited to our schedules which will help us to maintain healthy bodies. A local health center may have helpful information on setting up a health program.

Our personal and family health program should include the following:

Obedience to the Word of Wisdom

Random thoughts

• Utah ranked #5 as healthiest in the country- for longevity
• Alcohol and tobacco KNOWN carcinogens
• The Lord has told us that there are certain substances we should not take into our bodies. These include tobacco, coffee, tea, alcohol, drugs, and certain foods. On the other hand, He has suggested some foods and drinks we should use to maintain good healthy bodies. Those who keep the Word of Wisdom are promised health, wisdom, and protection (see D&C 89:18–21).
• Have a class member report on the contents of the Word of Wisdom, found in Doctrine and Covenants 89:1–17.

The following story illustrates some of the blessings that come from obeying the Word of Wisdom.

STORY 1

“I wasn’t quite 12 years old, but I worked right alongside my father in the grain harvest over 60 years ago. He cut and I bundled the grain into [bundles]; it was exhausting labor, day after day.

“One Saturday, we began [working] at daylight and stopped about 8:30 that night. I was so tired I wanted to lie down and sleep without even waiting for supper.

“My father looked at me and said gently, ‘Lee, the patch of grain I cut today was very green. If we wait until Monday to [bundle] it, the kernels will be shrunken. We must do it tonight. There’s a bright moon outside. Do you think you can help me?’

“I fought back the tears and nodded.

“My father said, ‘Okay, we’ll have a bite of supper. …’

“We soon finished our bread and milk, but I was still so tired that I could hardly raise my head. As my father went out to feed the pigs, I sat at the table, thinking bitterly, ‘I’ve never smoked or drank; I’ve always obeyed the Word of Wisdom. The Doctrine and Covenants says that if you obey the Word of Wisdom you will run and not be weary and walk and not faint. And now I’m so tired I can hardly raise my head.’ My mouth twitched as I fought to keep back the tears of exhaustion.

“It is impossible to describe what happened, but it seemed as though a beautiful shaft of white light entered my body, filling every fiber of my being. I got up when Father came back, and we went out to the fields.

“My father was a very fast worker, but he couldn’t keep up with me that night, even though he worked as fast as he could. I ran for stray bundles, and tossed them, many heavier than I was, from [row to row]. I’ll never forget the astonishment in my father’s eyes” (Leo W. Spencer, “To Run and Not Be Weary,” Ensign, Mar. 1974, 45).

Work

Work is a blessing. It not only enables us to provide for the needs and health of our families, but it also keeps our bodies and minds active and alert. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 and Psalm 128:2–3.)

J richard clark:

Work is honorable. It is good therapy for most problems. It is the antidote for worry. It is the equalizer for deficiency of native endowment. Work makes it possible for the average to approach genius. What we may lack in aptitude, we can make up for in performance.

As recommended by Korsaren: “If you are poor, work. … If you are happy, work. Idleness gives room for doubts and fears. If disappointments come, keep right on working. If sorrow overwhelms you, … work. … When faith falters and reason fails, just work. When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead, work. Work as if your life were in peril. It really is. No matter what ails you, work. Work faithfully. … Work is the greatest remedy available for both mental and physical afflictions.” (The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life, New York: Forbes Inc., 1968, p. 427.)

Leisure is not idleness. The Lord condemns idleness. He said, “Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent” (D&C 60:13.) Idleness in any form produces boredom, conflict, and unhappiness. It creates a vacancy of worth, a seedbed for mischief and evil. It is the enemy of progress and salvation. 

F DAVID STANLEY the principle of work has been taught from the foundation of the world. It is the bottom line of any forward motion of success. The frightening disappearance of work as a part of our basic ethic is alarming. We constantly hear the statements “It’s too hard,” “Give me something easier,” “I want it now,” “I can’t wait that long” coming from our young people. The ugly disease of “nothing to do” is growing in epidemic proportions among us. It undermines the basic fabric of our nations. The prophet Ezekiel clearly defined iniquity as an “abundance of idleness” (Ezek. 16:49). 

SCRIPTURE 3 D&C 88:124 CEASE TO BE IDLE

Sufficient Rest

Sabbath day symbolism

Some people do not sleep long enough to obtain the proper rest. Other people sleep longer than is needed. The Lord has cautioned us to get the sleep we need, but no more than we need. We are all different and must rest according to our needs, but He has told us to go to bed early and to arise early so that both body and mind may be invigorated. (See D&C 88:124.)

EARLY MORNING HOURS AND SUFFICIENT REST IS WHEN WE CAN RECEIVE INSPIRATION.  QUIET MORNING WALKS, THINKING, MEDITATING ON YOUR PROBLEMS THROUGH PRAYER

Personal Cleanlines

To prevent sickness, we should bathe, brush our teeth, and wash our hands regularly.  (diseases come from not being clean!) We should also regularly wash our clothes, bedding, and dishes.

Sickness and disease can be prevented by eliminating germs. We can eliminate germs by keeping insects and animals out of the home and by disposing of animal and human waste. For the same reason, food should be stored in a clean, safe place.

Proper Diet

Question What is a proper diet?  What is improper?

A proper diet consists of a variety of foods from each of the food groups every day. We need protein, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and grains and starchy roots. 

Each food group has a purpose! (See my YW activity here for an activity on learning the food groups)

• Protein=- build muscle
• carbs= energy
• Vegetables– vitamins and minerals
• Fruit– fiber

Medical and Dental Care

We can protect ourselves and our families from some diseases by getting immunizations and having regular medical checkups. In most parts of the world, immunizations are given by health clinics or physicians. We should also have a dentist check our teeth regularly.

Physical Exercise and Recreation

Exercise is vital to health

Strengthens heart, improves cell function, circulates the lymphatic system, OXYGEN TO THE BRAIN, Improves immunity

In addition to a proper diet, regular physical exercise is necessary for a healthy body. Exercise is something that can be enjoyed both individually and as a family. One benefit of an exercise program for recreation is the opportunity it provides us to be with our families. Each family member will not only be better motivated to exercise, but will also feel closer to the other members of the family.

I WANT YOU TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!

Slide 7

FINAL THOUGHTS

Discussion Questions

• • In what ways will caring for your body now affect your future health? How will developing healthy habits in your teens prepare you to bear and raise children?
• • How can good physical health contribute to good emotional health?
• • How is our agency compromised when we don’t take care of our bodies?

ACTIVITIES IF NEED THEM

• Divide the young women into pairs. Assign one individual in each pair to read Genesis 39:1–21 and the other to read Daniel 1:3–21 (for pictures of these stories, see Gospel Art Book [2009], nos. 11, 23). Ask them to look for ways Joseph and Daniel showed respect for their bodies and then share with each other what they find. How can they follow the examples of Joseph and Daniel?
• Give the young women a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.

Slide 8