I Obey the Word of Wisdom Sharing time

Sharing time- I Obey the Word of Wisdom

L. Tom Perry, an apostle of the Lord shared a story in the 1996 General Conference about a great track and field star named Creed Haymond.  Creed was captain of his team in college and they were getting ready to run an important race.  It was so important that the coach wanted the team to drink sherry wine to help their muscles relax. Creed knew it was wrong to drink alcohol and he looked right in the coach’s eye and said, “I won’t take it.”  The coach didn’t make him drink but Creed was nervous. Suppose he didn’t do well tomorrow. What would the coach say? What right did he have to disobey his coach? There was only one reason. He had been taught all his life to obey the Word of Wisdom. The next morning, Creed felt great! His teammates did not. They were ill. Many couldn’t even compete. The college didn’t win overall, but Creed won his first race and then he even won his second race. (L. Tom Perry, "Run and Not be Weary" 1996 General Conference http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/run-and-not-be-weary?lang=eng&query=tom+(name%3a"L.+Tom+Perry")+(collection%3a"general-conference")

Every four years, athletes come together from around the world to participate in a competition called the Summer Olympic games. One of the events is hurdling.

(Point to the rings of the Olympic symbol) http://images.beijing2008.cn/20070529/Img214082828.jpg - These rings’ colors symbolize all the countries coming together as one.  The motto for the Olympic games is, “Faster, higher, stronger.” If we follow the Word of Wisdom, our body, mind and spirit come together as one and we become “Faster in energy, higher to God and stronger in testimony."

We are going to learn about the Word of Wisdom with the help of this track and field runner on the board. (The track and field runner is from Primary Partners Nursery Vol. 1 Mary Ross and Jennette Guymon-King Lesson )We are going to help him qualify for the Olympics. Each time the runner comes to a hurdle we will discuss a part of the word of wisdom that he needs to keep to be “faster, higher, stronger”. For each hurdle our runner passes he will earn an Olympic ring… or the blessing we get from keeping the Word of Wisdom.

Runner is taken from Primary Partners Nursery and Age 3 Volume 1 Activities by Mary Ross and Jennette Guymon-King, lessson 16 My Body is Special. I printed out two copies and used the same leg twice and created a hinge(using brad fasteners) in his leg so he could jump over the hurdles.

(The color of the stripes on each hurdle corresponds with the color of the Olympic ring blessing that the hurdler receives upon clearing that hurdle.)

Hurdle #1 - Keep Our Body Clean (Blue hurdle)

We need to keep our bodies physically clean. We need to take a bath, wash our hair. We need to wear appropriate clothes. Following the Word of Wisdom also means being spiritually clean. Keep our minds clean by listening to good music, watching good programs, reading good books, etc.

·         Blue Olympic ring - If we keep our bodies clean and pure we will be blessed with more knowledge, be smarter -“And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; (D&C 89:19)

Hurdle #2 - Eat Nutritious Food (Yellow hurdle)

We need to eat food that is good for our bodies. (Show some examples of good  foods – pictures, plastic food, or even real food such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, etc.)

·         Yellow Olympic ring - "All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;" We will be healthy! (http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=56c6991a83d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=5158f4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&lang=eng)

Hurdle #3 – Avoid Harmful Substances (Black hurdle)

Avoid harmful substances in our bodies that can be addictive and harmful to us. Smoking or chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, drinking tea or coffee are examples of substances that we should avoid in our lives.

·         Black Olympic ring - “And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them” (D&C 89:21). True to the Faith, (2004),186–88. )We will be protected from Satan if we don’t partake of these things in our bodies.

Hurdle #4 – Exercise and Sleep Adequately (Green hurdle)

Exercise regularly and get enough sleep - We need to do actively do things and exercise. We can do what we enjoy. What is something you like to do to get your heart pumping? We also need to go to bed at a regular time, not too late. So we aren’t tired!!!

·         Green Olympic ring - the blessing is  “And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.” (D&C 89:20) We will have more energy like our runner did in the story

Hurdle #5 – Do Things in Moderation (Red hurdle)

We need to have moderation or a balance in our life. We shouldn’t just eat one particular food always. If we slept all day long, we would be getting enough sleep, but it probably wouldn't be good for us.

·         Red Olympic ring – The blessing is that we will have control over our lives and will be happy.

Assemble the Olympic rings so they match the picture.

*If time permits- pass around a medal while singing, “My Body is a Temple”. When it stops, that person puts the medal around their neck and says how they can obey the Word of Wisdom and win the race(Could be adapted into a singing time)!

So remember, to care for your body and keep it clean, we need to eat nutritious food, exercise regularly and get enough sleep, practice balance and moderation in all aspects of your physical health, and avoid substances that can harm your body.

https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/physical-health?lang=eng
If we follow the commandment of the Word of Wisdom, our lives will be healthy and happy. We will be faster, higher and stronger, spiritual olympians! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Source: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=56c6991a83d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=5158f4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&lang=eng

The hurdle is taken from:http://www.picturesof.net/_images_300/A_Track_Hurdle_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_110307-138977-539053.jpg

    You can find a copy of the file named Sharing time-Word of Wisdom at my Skydrive: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=976904c8bfc9a79e&sc=documents&id=976904C8BFC9A79E%21105)