Today's RS lesson was given by Heather and covered the importance of strengthening our Minds, Bodies, and Spirits. We talked about our spiritual motivation, overcoming the natural man, having joy in our bodies, and the ways Satan attempts to destroy us.
The SS lesson covered the signs of the second coming and how we can prepare for it.
So have at it, comment away. . . if you feel like you didn't get to share something in one of the lessons, now is the time. If you just have more to add. . . fee free, and as always feel free to e-mail me with suggestions at lp1rsliteracy@gmail.com
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I found the most interesting part of the RS lesson was when Heather asked us to take a moment and write down what we were doing in our lives to improve our bodies, minds, and spirits. As I wrote, the Spirit taught me what I need to be doing differently in order to be even better. In my discussion with my neighbor (thanks, AB!) we talked about how that principle is one of the elements of teaching in the Lord's way - all the teacher needs to do is bring up some key words, and let the Spirit teach the rest to the individual, at the level they are prepared to both hear and understand. Cool.
ReplyDeleteAlong the same lines, I realized that I needed to do a better job of working on not just one of these aspects at a time, but to work on all three, not neglecting one in favor of another. I think the most I usually get to at a time is two, so there's always one that's been shoved into a corner a bit. :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the lesson too and thought we could delve even deeper if we had more time. I'm not sure this was mentioned in the discussion (I had to step out for a few minutes), but our bodies our temples right? Well, we know the our physical temples, like the Boston temple, are houses of learning. Our bodies, like the physical temples, are not only sacred and to be kept pure but are the greatest tool we have for learning in this life. I read a quote the other day (not sure by who) that in essence said that there would be no other way to gain the knowledge we need about faith, humility, love, sacrifice, everything without our bodies. I love what President Hinckly said in his first paragraph of the talk we were given- our bodies are a marvel! They truly are.. thanks Heather for the great lesson.
ReplyDeleteyaaaay! i'm way psyched for this blog! now i feel like i can keep up on rs while i'm away at tanglewood! woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteso this topic is definitely a favorite of mine, and i think really going into a good discussion of the body could take several lesson times!
i just wanted to give a couple titles for books i've fallen in love with recently on the topic of the female body. one is practical, one is literary.
"our bodies ourselves," by the boston women's health book collective, is a friendly text on all things woman, with chapters on body image, eating well, emotional well-being, relationships & sexuality, birth control, pregnancy, child rearing, menopause, special medical concerns for women, etc. the boston women's health book collective has also compiled separate volumes just on the topics of pregnancy & birth, and menopause. i wish someone had given me this book when i was like 10. it feels so good to have access to so much information, about knowing and taking care of my own body! and the tone of the book is so accessible, and has loads of references where you can learn even more on specific topics.
and the other book i'm in love with is called "minding the body"-- it is a collection of essays written by female authors about the female body, edited by patricia foster. it's basically like, if someone asked you to write the story of your life through your body's point of view, what would it say? these gorgeously written essays are as varied as the women who wrote them, discussing race, aging, cancer, deabilitating disease, disfigurment, fertility & pregnancy, being too fat or too skinny, etc. i like it because it introduced me to so many points of view, different from my own, and it also made me want to think deeply about what my own body's story would sound like. i gave this book to my sister, who has a tendency to give her body a lot of negative attention, and it sparked some great discussion :) so of course i want to pass it on to my sisters in the relief society!!
anyway, i guess i also love this topic because the lds church has such fabulous, inspired, and unique doctrine on the human body!! we are so lucky to know our bodies ARE such sacred miracles, that bring us closer to god than not, because we know our heavenly parents dwell in their own exhalted tabernacles as well. definitely something to be excited about--
so cool!
:D yay rs blog! :D
I too loved the chance to write down some thoughts on how I am training all three aspects of my being. It was interesting to see how a lot of them overlapped.
ReplyDeleteSome of my most beautiful, spiritual, and transcendent experiences of my life have been through experiences involving my body. Feeling the waves of the ocean, the breath of a warm breeze, the embrace of a loved one.
The other week during the sacrament, I was reflecting with gratitude on the physicality of the ordinance, the fact that I could eat of the bread and drink of the water, literally make the memory of Christ (kindness, love, strength, mercy, justice, joy in sorrow) a part of me. I imagined those particles moving through my digestive system and becoming absorbed by my body. Sometimes things in this world seem so frighteningly transient. It is comforting and thrilling to have these small acts that are solid.
p.s. I echo ju's recommendation of Minding the Body. There are some very powerful pieces in that collection.
I love this topic too and wish we had more time on Sunday to talk about how we can strike more balance between all three domains. It is so interesting that despite knowing the great gift my body is and that it truly is a temple I am so quick to complain about things. Today I was walking to the grocery store and past someone with a physical disability. I have been blessed with a strong, capable body and hear I am complaining about some cellulite. Who cares!
ReplyDeleteIn that same regard, I am so blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost and a mind that is capable of rational thoughts. Trust me, not everyone is! Let's celebrate all that we are doing that is RIGHT and the amazing gifts we have been given. Then step it up a notch. As Pres. Hinckley always encouraged us, we can do a little BETTER and a little MORE. Remember to make a goal in one area (body, mind, and spirit) and resolve to do a little more.