Just as plants need consistent nourishment to survive, we need to nurture our spiritual health every day by feasting on gospel activities.
I love being in nature and observing the beauty and strength of the world around me. I am often left in awe of the steady growth and longevity of trees and other plants. They are able to turn a few basic raw materials like water, carbon dioxide, and light into powerful energy that helps them grow and thrive. With the right materials, plants fill the measure of their creation, forming beautiful landscapes and acting as homes for other creatures.
Photo by Virginia Simionato
Just like plants, our spirits need consistent nourishment to survive. In his devotional “Nourishing the Tree,” Dr. Kenneth A. Solen teaches us that “we need a regular intake of spiritual food.” Prayer, scripture study, and service help us develop and preserve our spiritual health in the same way that water, sunlight, and nutrients help plants maintain their health.
One key element in nourishing our spiritual health and developing good habits is “feast[ing] upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3). Dr. Solen explains that this feasting involves deliberately seeking out and savoring a variety of spiritual activities centered on Christ’s teachings. Feasting on daily, intentional prayer allows us to come to know God and “taste of his love.” Feasting on the scriptures edifies our minds. And feasting on service nourishes our own spirits as we grow to love others. All of these daily activities, if we fully partake in them, will give us the energy we need to stay spiritually healthy.
Dr. Solen warns that “if we aren’t diligent about our spiritual nourishment, we can lose our way.” Just as we watch plants wither from lack of water or sunlight, we will inevitably watch our own testimonies and spiritual health dwindle if we choose not to indulge in spiritual food daily. By following Dr. Solen’s suggestions and consistently nurturing our spiritual health through prayer, scripture study, and service, we can avoid the pitfalls of spiritual sickness, and our faith will continue to grow.
Read Dr. Kenneth A. Solen’s devotional “Nourishing the Tree” to discover more suggestions to preserve spiritual health.
Source: BYU Speeches
—Abby Christensen, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY GUSTAVO FRING
Find more insights
Read Breanna Call Herbert’s Latter-day Saint Insights article “Maintaining Sacredness, Avoiding Complacency” to learn how we can make spirituality a priority.
Take a look at President Steven J. Lund’s general conference address “Lasting Discipleship” to discover ways we can avoid faltering in our testimonies.