Our Daily Bread

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

When the Savior showed his disciples how to pray, he included the plea, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). With this supplication, Jesus Christ reminded us of our daily dependence on our Heavenly Father for all the good things of the earth which were “made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

“Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul” (D&C 59:18–19).

Like physical nourishment, spiritual food is a gift that comes from God. The Lord explained:

“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

As we follow the Savior, we need to recognize that both our bodies and our spirits are nourished and strengthened by our Heavenly Father’s bounty—and that both require daily attention and care.

Our Spirits Require Daily, Diligent Nourishment

One young woman diagnosed with a serious illness learned a great deal about diet and nutrition as she followed her doctor’s instructions during a year of difficult medical treatment. She carefully studied what she ate and joked with friends that she had never thought she would become so interested in the science of food. But as she struggled with her illness, she discovered that the habits of scripture study, regular temple attendance, and daily prayer sustained her as much as anything that nourished her body. She found the hymns of the Church particularly comforting.

Although scripture study and prayer had been a part of her life before her illness, she appreciated this daily spiritual nourishment in a new way. “I need my morning prayer as much as I need my green, leafy vegetables,” she said. By seeking spiritual nourishment every day, she was able to feel the Savior’s sustaining presence in her life.

As We Nourish Our Spirits, We Grow in Strength

Just as properly caring for our bodies contributes to physical well-being, caring for our spirits increases our spiritual capacities, sustains us in trials, and makes us more able to follow the Savior and accomplish our life’s work. Alma’s joyous reunion with the sons of Mosiah illustrates this truth: “They had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2–3).

Like the sons of Mosiah, we will have the spiritual strength to bear our burdens and follow the Savior when we accept his invitation: “Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely” (Alma 5:34).

Why is it important to nourish and strengthen both spirit and body each day?
What results of that daily care should a person expect to see?

Illustrated by Del Parson