Thoughts on Self Image & the Gospel

I believe one of the most powerful principles in helping women overcoming negative self image is in the realization of what God put our bodies here to do. Elder Uchtdorf said it beautifully at the Women's Conference on Saturday: 

“Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair and nails are perfect? Do you think your value to him changes based on how many followers you have on Instagram or Pinterest? Do you think he wants you to worry or get depressed if some un-friend or un-follow you on Facebook or Twitter? Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size or popularity make the slightest difference in your worth to the one who created the universe? He loves you not only for who you are this very day, but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become.”

Our bodies are vessels and must be respected and taken care of if they are to perform the tasks given to us. God loves us unconditionally and He put us here to do a work. As spirit beings we have a divine nature and destiny, our bodies are the instruments of that work. We were given bodies to perform a specific function, to give us specific experiences. It is essential that we treat these instruments with the respect and care they deserve so that they can better perform that function or task.

For this reason, I feel that health, nutrition, and spiritual/emotional well-being are strongly tied to the word of wisdom, specifically focusing on how the Lord advises us on what we put IN our bodies, not only what not to put in our bodies (drugs, alcohol, etc.). Referring to the word of wisdom, Doctrine & Covenants 89: 18-20 reads:

 "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; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint."

While eating two cases of ice cream every night may not involve the use drugs or alcohol, it is probably not a behavior that will aid us in being able to “run and not be weary”. Putting aside the ever growing pressures we face from society to be whatever is considered “beautiful” or “ideal” at the time, we should consider how this makes us feel physically. It is important to understand that such behaviors don’t make us feel good emotionally, spiritually, OR physically. Here is a great quote by President Benson that expresses more eloquently how I feel the word of wisdom affects our bodies: 

“The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early (see D&C 88:124), that we should not run faster than we have strength (see D&C 10:4), and that we should use moderation in all good things. … Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies of certain elements in the body can promote mental depression. … Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion and is a necessary change of pace; even its anticipation can lift the spirit.” President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), “Do Not Despair,”Ensign, Oct. 1986, 4.  

In short, putting clean things into our body, using all things in moderation, and being physically active are all great strategies to help us honor our bodies, minds, and spirits.

A note on honoring our bodies, crash diets are NOT honoring your body. The diet and beauty industry have one thing in common: they make money by making women feel inadequate and ugly. The marketing strategy goes like this; first we are shown images of what they say we should be like. Then, if in our minds we don’t measure, we feel of less worth. Then, they give you the solution! If you do this, if you buy this, you will be what you should be, according to them. Then you will feel better about yourself. This is a LIE. Here are some great links that provide some strategies to begin honoring your body:

http://www.cjanekendrick.com/2011/01/janna-dean-healing-body-image.html

http://www.evelyntribole.com/resources/intuitive-eating-articles-studies-support-groups

Self image as it relates to the gospel ties into another gospel principle, modesty. I feel that there are two major misconceptions about modesty. First, that because we cover our bodies they are something to be ashamed of. This is false. The body is beautiful, sacred, and capable of wonderful things. We should not feel ashamed of it. We hold it sacred and are instructed to share it at the right place and time within the bounds that the Lord has set, marriage. Second, that “hottest is modest”. While this phrase was born of good intent it still portrays that women’s bodies are to be seen as objects to be lusted after, covered up or otherwise. We dress modestly not because we are ashamed of our bodies or because we think that that is how the body looks most appealing, but because it is an outward expression of how we view our own worth. We understand that the worth of souls, I reiterate the worth of a soul not just a body, is great in the sight of God.  Dressing modestly is an outward expression of our love and dedication to Christ. We dress modestly because we understand that our worth comes from much more than the appearance of our physical bodies. Our bodies are something to be utilized as a tool for hastening God’s work on this earth, experiencing joy, and allowing us to grow in ways that were not possible as a spirit. 

I know that God lives, and that He gave us physical bodies so that we might do His work and find joy in this life, one day returning home to Him. I know that the word of wisdom, as given through revelation to Joseph Smith, is the true word of God and will also help us lead lives of joy. Finally, I know that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. 

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. "                                                          -D&C 18: 10-11