Training for Eternal Strength

Eight years ago, I went through a brutal breakup—the kind of heartbreak that felt unbearable. Desperate for a distraction, I stumbled upon a group fitness class.

After my first class, I was hooked.

I fell in love with the motivating coaches, the supportive community, and—surprisingly—the time I spent on the treadmill. At first, it was just an escape, a brief moment when the weight of the world felt lighter. But over time, that class became more than a distraction; it became a place of healing.

Not only did it help mend my broken heart—it made me stronger.

At first, I didn’t go to class because it was easy—I went because I needed structure, a place to show up when everything else felt uncertain. It was hard. I struggled to keep up, felt exhausted, and wanted to quit. But with consistency and effort, I grew stronger. I realized that breaking down and rebuilding wasn’t just a physical process—it was teaching me something about life.

Looking back, I see how that experience connects to something even greater: spiritual growth. Just as we strengthen our bodies through exercise, we strengthen our spirits through temple worship, making and keeping covenants, and drawing closer to Jesus Christ. The Lord has given us temples and sacred ordinances to help us become spiritually strong, just as consistent training transforms our bodies.

When I first started working out, I didn’t always feel motivated to go to class. It took discipline to show up, even when I didn’t want to. But real strength doesn’t come from comfort—it comes from effort.

Temple worship is the same. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to forget how much we need the spiritual strength the temple offers. But as we go consistently, something changes within us. We gain peace, perspective, and resilience. We may not see the results instantly, but over time, temple attendance strengthens us in ways we don’t always recognize at first. The miracle of restoration happens little by little.

If you’ve ever worked with a personal trainer, you know they don’t just say, “Go lift some weights” and leave you to figure it out. They create a structured plan designed to help you succeed. They know what will build endurance, what will challenge you, and how to push you without overwhelming you.

God has given us something even greater—a perfect, personalized plan through temple covenants. When we make covenants with Him, we commit to follow His divine training plan, even when we don’t fully understand it. His commandments and guidance aren’t restrictions; they’re designed to help us reach our full potential.

I remember times when I doubted whether my workouts were making a difference. But when I stuck to the plan, I eventually saw results. The same is true spiritually—sometimes we don’t immediately see how our covenants are shaping us, but with time and faith, we realize they are making us stronger in ways we never expected. The miracle of restoration is God rebuilding us from the inside out.

One thing I learned through fitness is that progress isn’t always linear. Some days I felt strong and capable, and other days I struggled just to finish a workout. But I kept showing up.

Spiritual endurance works the same way. Life isn’t easy—there are setbacks, heartbreaks, and unexpected struggles. I’ve faced career disappointments, uncertainty about my future, and the ache of unmet expectations. But just like in training, pushing through the hard moments builds real strength.

Temples provide a place to regain our footing when life feels overwhelming. In the temple, we remember who we truly are and where we’re going. Just as training our bodies requires pushing through discomfort, growing spiritually often requires faith through difficulty.

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that consistency brings results. Whether in fitness or faith, showing up—even when we don’t feel like it—leads to transformation.

President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly emphasized the blessings of temple worship. He has promised that as we focus on the temple, we will receive protection, miracles, and revelation. Just as physical exercise strengthens us against injury, temple worship strengthens us against spiritual attacks. Life won’t always be easy, but we will be prepared.

By prioritizing the temple and our covenants, we experience real transformation—not just in our habits, but in our hearts. The temple is where we prepare for eternity, where we build spiritual endurance, and where we find the strength to become everything God intends us to be.