The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has this marvelous new program called Provident Living which you may access by visiting the website. From that website, the introductory paragraph to this month’s focus reads:
“Maintaining good physical health allows our minds and bodies to function optimally, so we can more fully enjoy life. Proper diet and nutrition, exercise, and abstinence from harmful substances keep us healthy physically and more sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit. Not only does attention to physical health make it more likely that we will have productive and meaningful lives, it also makes possible the physical, mental, and spiritual vitality necessary to offer worthwhile service to the Lord. When we keep our physical bodies in good condition, we become more useful to the Lord as servants in His kingdom.” www.providentliving.org
Sadly, there are many young men and women denied the opportunity to serve a full-time mission because of obesity. We have heard over and over and over that our nation is suffering from an epidemic of obesity. (Okay, my Cap’n Crunch is going in the garbage even as we speak.) I don’t know if this is why the brethren have launched this website, but it is a veritable font of information. Literally, in following the suggestions and taking advantage of the information on this website you will take control of your physical, emotional and mental health.
With suggestions on maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as: family physical activities, nutritious and careful food planning, sleep suggestions and cutting back on t.v., video and computer games, the site is a wonderful guideline for those struggling to turn the tide of obesity. The focus this month is on Physical Health which is where these guidelines came from.
I’ve written a blog concerning the Word of Wisdom before, but Elder Packer said something wonderful that I’d like to share:
“Honor the principle of the Word of Wisdom and you will receive the promised blessings . . . The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings.” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promise, Ensign May 1996, p. 18)
Interesting isn’t it? A healthy body allows the mind to remain alert to delicate spiritual promptings. As I ponder this I consider the times I have been in my worse physical health and when I’ve been in my best. There is no question, I can hear the whisperings of the spirit more clearly when I have in better shape. Exhaustion, stress, overeating, overworking – anything to excess limits your access to the heavens.
Healthy living benefits all, not just a few. In addition, Provident Living also provides resources and information for humanitarian aid, employment, food storage and emergency preparedness, education and literacy, resource management, social and emotional strength, and Deseret Industries.
I could be more pleased with this website and have marked it as one of my favorites. I urge each of you to click on the link and dive into a whole new world of provident living.