Run and Not Be Weary

Yesterday I had the chance to go on a long hike with a good friend.  He suggested to me an interesting interpretation of the scriptural phrase “health in the navel and marrow in the bones” (found in D&C 89:18 and Proverbs 3:7-8).  Bone marrow is what produces vital red blood cells in our body and part of bone marrow in adults is red marrow (the part which produces the red blood cells) and part is yellow marrow (which is filled with fat cells).  According to some research exercise plays a huge role is keeping bone marrow from turning into the fat cells.  “One of the main clinical implications of this research is that exercise is not just good, but amazing for bone health.  With obesity, it seems that you get even more bone formation from exercise. Our studies of bone biomechanics show that the quality and the strength of the bone is significantly increased with exercise and even more so in the obese exercisers."  Another article summed up the negative effects of fat cells in bone this way: “When fat cells start to fill the bone marrow cavity -- a common symptom of sedentary behavior -- blood stem cells become less productive, and conditions such as anemia can result.”  After understanding this my friend suggested that we might interpret the idea of marrow in the bones to be an injunction to exercise; health in the navel is achieved by a healthy diet, and good marrow in the bones is achieved by proper exercise. 

                The need for proper exercise is something that Church leaders have spoken of or at least referred to from time to time.  President Benson said in general conference: “The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit….  Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit.”  Elder Nelson spoke of physical exercise when he said, “I would not want you to neglect your body. It deserves daily care. Physical conditioning through regular exercise requires self-mastery too.”  Elder Ballard said, “Many people, including me, have difficulty finding the time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation. We must schedule time on our daily calendars for these activities if we are to enjoy a healthy and balanced life. Good physical appearance enhances our dignity and self-respect.”  President Monson commented, “The Apostle Paul declared, ‘Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.’ (1 Cor. 3:16–17.)  Nutritious meals, regular exercise, and appropriate sleep are necessary for a strong body, just as consistent scripture study and prayer strengthen the mind and spirit.”  Elder Robert Backman of the Seventy said this in general conference, “I believe we have a duty to maintain our health the best we can through proper exercise, a healthy diet, daily care of our bodies.”  A sister many years ago in general conference suggested this interesting twist on a familiar promise in the Word of Wisdom: “The Lord promises that if we keep these commandments we ‘shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint’ (D&C 89:20).  The Lord might be making us aware of another law of health—the need of proper exercise.  Exercise such as walking and running and other forms of rhythmic action is important in maintaining cardiovascular fitness.”                   Those references are fairly dated, but more recent mentions of the need for physical exercise has also been made.  Elder Scott said in 2012 in general conference, “Spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices.  Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation.  We will live for our appointed life span.  However, we can improve both the quality of our service and our well-being by making careful, appropriate choices.”  Elder Klebingat said in general conference in 2014 in a longer discussion on exercise, “Take responsibility for your own physical well-being. Your soul consists of your body and spirit (see D&C 88:15). Feeding the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads to spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem.  If you are out of shape, if you are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something about it, then do it!  Elder Russell M. Nelson has taught that we should ‘regard our body as a temple of our very own’ and that we should ‘control our diet and exercise for physical fitness’ (We Are Children of God, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 87; Liahona, Jan. 1999, 103).  President Boyd K. Packer has taught ‘that 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’ (The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character [Church Educational System fireside, Feb. 2, 2003], 2; speeches.byu.edu).  Therefore, please use good judgment in what and especially how much you eat, and regularly give your body the exercise it needs and deserves.  If you are physically able, decide today to be the master of your own house and begin a regular, long-term exercise program, suited to your abilities, combined with a healthier diet.  Spiritual confidence increases when your spirit, with the help of the Savior, is truly in charge of your natural man or woman.” 

                Of course, exercising our faith in Jesus Christ is of far more importance than exercising our physical bodies, but as these references and scriptures show, physical exercise is an important part of caring for the temple—our body—that the Lord has given us.  If we find ourselves “weary” with even a little physical activity, perhaps we need to follow the Word of Wisdom’s injunction more literally to “walk” and to “run,” and find for ourselves both health in the navel and marrow in the bones.