The mortal body represents a key part of God’s plan for His children. In the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the body is not just a temporary vessel for the spirit but an eternal part of one’s soul. Doctrine and Covenants 88:15 teaches that “the spirit and the body are the soul of man,” and mortality provides opportunities to gain a body, have experiences, exercise agency, and prepare for eternal life. Because the mortal body is a divine gift, it should be treated with respect and care.
The body also connects both spiritual and physical experiences. Speakers in this collection describe the remarkable complexity of the human body and emphasize its influence on our intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual lives. President Russell M. Nelson says that the human body is one of God’s most magnificent creations, and Sara Lee Gibb teaches that the body and spirit unite to form our eternal souls. Other addresses consider the stewardship we possess over our bodies, which includes caring for our physical health, controlling various appetites, treating our bodies as sacred, and practicing various kinds of well-being.
These speeches invite us to consider our mortal bodies with increased gratitude, reverence, and understanding. They discuss the body in its dimensions as a gift, a responsibility, a spiritual collaboration, a learning opportunity, and a promise of our eventual resurrection and reunion with God. As these speakers highlight the magnificence of human anatomy and explain the impact of health, technology, and physical limitations on the human body, they offer a broad perspective on how to live embodied lives as children of God. As you explore these speeches, we hope you will improve your understanding of and relationship with your body, honoring the great eternal purpose of both body and soul.
