The Scriptures have something for everyone!

 (Sister Cummings)

Hey y'all!

Okay y'all this week was GREAT. Sister Nybo and I were SO BUSY but it was so amazing. We've been trying to talk to as many people as possible so we've been getting lots of rejection everyday. Which sounds hard but it's actually just been really hilarious! Sister Nybo and I laugh so much!

This is going to be a long spiritual stuff section so I apologize in advance but I just wanted to share with y'all what I've been studying as of late.

As some of you may know, in the past I've struggled with body image and eating disorder related issues which were very real and very hard. Well, the trials that I've had to overcome and am still working to overcome with these issues have really molded who I am today. They've refined me and have helped me to turn my mind and heart to my Savior and to His Gospel. They've given me the motivation and desire to study His words and to strengthen myself as I've learned more. However, recently, I've found myself wondering, "what do the scriptures have to say about eating disorders and body dysmorphia? How can they specifically help me and others in my same boat?" Well, I have found the answers to my own questions so let me share:

To start off, I want to share a quote from President Jeffrey R Holland that really started this whole study of mine. He shared these words in a BYU Devotional titled, "For Times of Trouble" and he said, “In this church, we ask for faith, not infallibility. Immerse yourself in the scriptures. You'll find your own experiences described there. You'll find spirit and strength there. You'll find solutions and counsel. “There’s one thing that I want to say about this quote and that is AMEN President Holland! Anyways, shall we see what the scriptures so far have had for me?

The first counsel the scriptures provided me can be found in 3 Nephi 13 in verses 30 through 33 which state:

"30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

 

Okay, let me tell you what these scriptures mean from my perspective. Through the filter of my trials. It means that God's got me completely. He knows the things that I worry about. He knows that I worry everyday about what I'm going to eat and what I'm going to wear and how I'm going to look but He wants me to trust Him. He's asking me to put more faith in Him so that I have less capacity to worry and be anxious about these other more worldly concerns. He wants me to seek Him first for comfort and counsel before I seek anything else.

Here's the next bit of counsel and personal understanding that I've found while studying. It's found in 2 Nephi 4 in verses 17 through 21 (sorry it's a long one" which say:

"17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my [flesh]; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."

When I first read these verses, I just wanted to give big ol hunky "large in stature" Nephi a great big hug. I too sorrow sometimes because of my physical body but I know in who I have trusted and I'm going to continue to trust in Him because He's the only one that knows EXACTLY how to help me and provide me with aid.

Anyways, sorry if that was a lot but I just wanted to show y'all that the scriptures have something for EVERYONE. God is a GENIUS because He has inspired each prophet and writer in the scriptures to say the exact things that so many people need. If you feel like the scriptures have nothing to say about what you're struggling with then I'm sorry but you're wrong. Both me and President Holland can attest to that. So please read your scriptures!

I love y'all! Sorry for this massive email!

- Sister Cummings