temple

Indianapolis Indiana Temple

August 27

How Can I Show That I Know My Body Is a Sacred Gift from God?

1 Corinthians 1–7

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. What recent experiences have brought us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Has someone recently moved into our ward or joined the Church? How can we help them feel welcome?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. What activities are coming up that we can invite our friends to attend?

• Unite families for eternity. What efforts can we make to record our personal histories?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

For better or for worse, Latter-day Saints seem to be well known for what we don’t do. Many of those “don’ts” have to do with the way we treat our physical bodies. Behind each of those choices about what to do are some eternal truths—what we know. When eternal truths guide our choices, those choices become easier to make, more joyful, and more enduring. Eternal truths also help us explain our choices to our friends. Perhaps in addition to being known for what we don’t do, we could be better known for what we know.

Think about the eternal truths you know about our physical bodies—why we have them, how God feels about them, and how He wants us to feel about them. How has knowing these truths blessed you and influenced your choices? How can this knowledge bless the members of your class or quorum? As you ponder this, read Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; and President Russell M. Nelson’s article “Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish” (Liahona, Aug. 2019, 50–55).

Learn Together

As the members of your class or quorum studied the scriptures this week, they may have had thoughts on Paul’s teachings about our bodies in 1 Corinthians 6. One way to invite them to share those thoughts is to give each of them a piece of paper and ask them to write at least three possible answers to the question “How are our bodies like temples?” Encourage them to read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 as they ponder this question. They could then share their answers with each other. How do the Savior’s teachings about our bodies influence the choices we make? Here are some additional activity ideas on this topic; choose from these, or plan one of your own.

• If you would like to have further discussion about Paul’s comparison between the body and the temple, consider showing pictures of several different temples. You can find some at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Class or quorum members could discuss differences they see in these temples, along with things they have in common. They could also talk about how they feel when they are in the temple. What is it that makes the temple such a spiritual, sacred place? You could then encourage the class or quorum to relate the things they have discussed about temples to our bodies. How could the teachings about temples in Doctrine and Covenants 97:15–16; 109:8, 12 relate to our physical bodies?

• Members of your class or quorum likely have had—or will have—opportunities to explain why they follow the Savior’s teachings about caring for their bodies. You might ask some of them what they might say if, for example, someone asked them why they don’t drink alcohol, tea, or coffee or why they don’t wear certain kinds of clothes. What are some truths from the gospel of Jesus Christ that affect how we treat our bodies? Class or quorum members could look for some of these truths under “Supporting Resources.”

• To help those you teach deepen their reverence for our miraculous bodies, you could show the video “God’s Greatest Creation” (see also Russell M. Nelson, “Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish,” 50–55). How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to feel about our bodies? You might also discuss ways Satan tries to persuade us to undervalue or even hate our bodies. What can we do to overcome his lies and temptations? What truths will help us? Some of the resources under “Supporting Resources” may be helpful.

youth jogging

Our bodies are gifts from God, and the truths of the gospel help us care for them.

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Alma 11:42–44; 40:23; Doctrine and Covenants 89; 130:22

• “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” especially the first three paragraphs

• “The Lord Gave Me a Temple,” Children’s Songbook, 153

• Articles about our physical bodies in the August 2019 New Era or Liahona

• President Russell M. Nelson taught: “In giving us the gift of a body, God has allowed us to take a vital step toward becoming more like Him. Satan understands this. … Thus many, if not most, of the temptations he puts in our path cause us to abuse our bodies or the bodies of others. … Your body is your personal temple, created to house your eternal spirit [see 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:18–20]. Your care of that temple is important. Now, I ask you, … are you more interested in dressing and grooming your body to appeal to the world than to please God? Your answer to this question sends a direct message to Him about your feelings regarding His transcendent gift to you” (“We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68).

• Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “Those who believe that our bodies are nothing more than the result of evolutionary chance will feel no accountability to God or anyone else for what they do with or to their body. We who have a witness of the broader reality of premortal, mortal, and postmortal eternity, however, must acknowledge that we have a duty to God with respect to this crowning achievement of His physical creation. … As our body is the instrument of our spirit, it is vital that we care for it as best we can. We should consecrate its powers to serve and further the work of Christ” (“Reflections on a Consecrated Life,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 17).

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Be sensitive to those in your class or quorum who have disabilities or other physical challenges. Help them understand that everyone’s body is precious and worthy of respect. The Christlike love you show to all can have a powerful influence on the way class or quorum members see each other and themselves.