"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?"

Ladies, I have to tell you already how moved I am by each of you! Thank you! My hubby, Dave, and I have been going through some unique challenges recently. I guess it's some of those that you wake up and never would have thought you would personally be going through. Please tell me some of you have felt that way?! Although it was a harsh reality to face, through tear-filled nights, we've learned the gospel has been anything but a priority in our daily routine. Yet, we've decided to face the challenges, knowing it will require changing our habits and ultimately, our lives.

As part of these challenges, I have spent a lot of time thinking of what true beauty really means. Elise and I have had many conversations on this, as well as talking with my husband. It was always a self-esteem booster having a guy ask for your number while you were single. But, those guys disappear and weight slowly appears (I swear) each month I've been married. I know my Dave loves me, yet, I find myself wishing, longing for the perfect look.

In my Personal Progress studying, I was reading Elder Bednar's article, Things As They Really Are," in the June 2010 Ensign. If you haven't read it, go now. He talks a lot about the Plan of Salvation and how our body plays an essential role in it. Quoting Elder Packer he says , "Our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character." He continues to say, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Corin 3:16-17).

This hit me really hard. But, there's more! Elder Bednar continues to say that we misuse our bodies by "worshipping the false idol of body image" of our own or of others. He then says "...To those of us who know and understand the plan of salvation, any defiling of the body is rebellion and the denial of our true identity as sons and daughters of God."

He also says, "The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God (like our bodies!), the devil takes power." This made me reflect back to the temple when God tells us that although Satan may bruise our heel, we will have power to completely conquer him. We MUST remember this and not allow for Satan to have any power over us.

"We are daughters of God, who loves us and we love Him!" Although the struggles will continue to come, if we turn to him and allow our Savior to help carry our burden, we will begin to understand our own true beauty, our own Divine Worth. I am excited to continue to have this change happen in all our lives. I love you all!! Please know I am here for each of you as I know you are there for me!