WORTH OF THE SOUL: BODY AND SPIRIT

BYU MISSION “The mission of BYU – founded, supported, and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.”

“The ultimate defining fact for all of us is that we are children of Heavenly Parents, born on this earth for a purpose, and born with a divine destiny. Whenever any of those other notions, whatever they may be, gets in the way of that ultimate defining fact, then it is destructive and it leads us down the wrong path.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks Public Affairs Interview June 2012

NATURAL MAN VS ETERNAL LIFE Natural Man Model (circumstances; relative) Worth = Pride; Self Is the Source Soul = Body vs. mind Eternal Life Model (eternal truths; absolute) Worth = Humility; God Is the Source Soul = Body & Spirit; inseparable, one

Self-Acceptance Self-Esteem: Inherent Worth “True self-esteem represents a sound, stable sense of oneself, built on a solid foundation of believing in one’s worth as a human being. Such individuals evaluate their behaviors, but their feelings of worth as people are not riding on those evaluations.” Edward L. Deci Why We Do What We Do pp

Contingent Self-Esteem: Earned Worth “Contingent self-esteem is less stable … it is present under some conditions but vanishes under others, leaving people depleted and self-derogatory. When people are pressured to achieve particular outcomes, their self-esteem is often dependent on how those things turn out.” Edward L. Deci Why We Do What We Do pp

 Increase Fear of Failure  Negative Stress  More Self-absorbed  Emotionally Reactive  Negative Self-Talk

 Nothing is a threat to you personally  Positive self-talk  Trust self/others  Focused  Live with dignity and respect  Integrity, true to beliefs, genuine, sincere

True Nature of Being Body & Spirit

“In this dispensation, the Lord revealed that ‘the spirit and the body are the soul of man’ (D&C 88:15). A truth that really is and always will be is that the body and the spirit constitute our reality and identity. When body and spirit are inseparably connected, we can receive a fullness of joy; when they are separated, we cannot receive a fullness of joy” (see D&C 93:33-34). Elder David A. Bednar Things as They Really Are May 2009 CES Fireside

“One of the ultimate ironies of eternity is that the adversary, who is miserable precisely because he has no physical body, invites and entices us to share in his misery through the improper use of our bodies. The very tool he does not have and cannot use is thus the primary target of his attempts to lure us to physical and spiritual destruction.” Elder David A. Bednar Things as They Really Are May 2009 CES Fireside

Worth of the Soul Body & Spirit

“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

“Heavenly Father loves you – each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.” President Thomas S. Monson We Never Walk Alone September 2013 General RS Meeting

“Humility is not the disavowal of our worth; rather it is the sober realization of how much we are valued by God.” Elder Neal A. Maxwell p. 165 Quote Book

“We don’t discover humility by thinking less of ourselves; we discover humility by thinking less about ourselves. Humility directs our attention and love toward others and to Heavenly Father’s purposes. Pride does the opposite. Pride draws its energy and strength from the deep wells of selfishness.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Pride and the Priesthood October 2010 General Conference

Whole Soul Wellness

Contemporary research gives evidence that everything we do affects the body, the mind, and the spirit, as they all function as one whole integrated being, the whole soul. Approaching wellness in this manner will enhance your ability to live your life with a balance and harmony of aspects or dimensions of you. Living with harmony of the whole soul is the key to good health and wellness.

Eating WellEating WellEating WellEating WellEating Well ExercisingExercisingExercisingExercisingExercising

Nutrition and a healthy weight Govern the stresses of life Muscular endurance and strength Flexibility and functional fitness Relationships Individual and family recreation Avoid addictive behaviors Cardiovascular fitness emotional social spiritual physical mental

Science of Wellness (3.0) EXSC 221 – Coming Fall 2014

Example of research supporting integrated functioning of whole soul Telomeres are DNA protein complexes that help stabilize a cell’s chromosomes. Telomerase is an enzyme that repairs damage to the chromosome. In the aging process, cells experience a shortening of telomeres and less effectiveness of the telomerase function. In one study of caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s compared with people matched for age, gender and other factors who were not caregivers, the telomeres in the caregivers were shorter and the telomerase function poorer in the caregivers. The lifespan of the caregivers was four to eight years less than those who are not caregivers.

Divine Nature

“An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself.... These attributes are in embryo and are to be gradually developed.” Parley P. Pratt Key to Theology pp

“Become who you really are. Your happiness and ability to find balance in your life will occur as you find, recognize and accept your true identity as a child of our Heavenly Father, and then live in accordance with this knowledge.” Bishop Gerald Caussé We Are the Architects of Our Own Happiness CES Devotional, November 2012