Young sister of faith, you are on my heart tonight. I pray for you. I pray this message reaches you. I pray that truth is found here and that I am able to share what you need to hear.
Young sister, you are living in a world that doesn't know you; not really. This is what I want you to understand.
Today I was spending time with you, one of my favorite teenage friends. You confided to me that you wish you had a different body. My heart felt so much for you, and I was overwhelmed with sadness. You are amazing! I wanted to tell you. I wanted you to know who you are to the Lord, and what the truth is. Please, don't forget who you are while you journey through this compelling world.
You are divine; you are a daughter of your heavenly father. I know, this has been hammered into your head since you could first walk yourself to primary class. But, believe me, coming from a woman who converted to the Church after my young women years, I want you to know that there is nothing truer about your identity.
Oh, young woman, you are beautiful! You are not your waist, your bust, nor your booty measurements. You are not the color of your skin, or the length of your hair. In fact, all of these things trivialize your true identity and the import of the fact that you even have a body here on this earth. Your body is a blessing, and you earned it. It identifies you as having kept your first estate, and your body has become a symbol of your commitment to Heavenly Father. He is so proud of you!
You know better than anyone there is one who wants you to forget this truth, and to lose your sense of self. His goal is for you to hate that gift, rather than to honor it and understand it, and who you are.
I want to reiterate that your body is a symbol: It is a symbol of who you have chosen to become. You chose to learn from Heavenly Father, and to keep your first estate. Your body is powerful. It houses your eternal spirit and becomes a vehicle to unlock the powers of heaven in your life. You are powerful. You have the power to do great good, or great evil, or to be lukewarm. You have the power to create. You have the power to become like Heavenly Father.
I know the trials of this world for females, and the impact it leaves on our souls. We believe and buy into what the world teaches us because we want to ensure our success. We want to be seen as beautiful, and we long to be told we are loved. I weep for the pain and shame you have felt regarding your body. The Lord does not see it that way. The Lord sees your soul for all that it is, and all that it can be, and He loves you perfectly.
If the world knows the beauty of a body, it doesn't know the beauty of a soul: The world does not understand what we know about the soul. We know that our souls are the uniting of our body and spirit. Our bodies are so incredible, and they are miracles. The worth of your soul is great! Your body is part of that ticket, and is great in the sight of the Lord. There is no greater blessing our Father can give us than to keep that union for eternity and use it to its fullest potential. That IS the symbol of eternity for Latter-day Saints. The next time you see someone send a message that your body is only worth its image, know they are missing the most important piece of knowledge regarding the subject; stand as a witness to that knowledge.
Young woman of faith, please love your body, and bless yourself by keeping it healthy. Do amazing things with it. Use it for good and not for self gain or gratification. Those are dead end streets full of pain and sorrow. And never forget the Atonement of Jesus Christ heals all wounds and weaknesses. It is never too late to return to who you were and live up to your divine potential.
Your body is a gift to you. Pray to be grateful, and to see it for what it truly is, and love the one who gave it to you. Know that I love you, and that I am praying for you too. You will make it.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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