Associate chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department shares insights about the divine gift of the human body

On June 30, Anton Bowden, associate chair of the mechanical engineering department, spoke about the divine gift of the human body.

"Alma testified that 'all things denote there is a God,' including the earth, its motion and the planets moving in their regular form. That same witness is present in the human body," Bowden said.

He described how the complexity of the human body shows how much God loves us.

"From the microscopic to the macroscopic, from DNA to organ systems, from the beating heart to the healing of bone, our bodies testify of the wisdom, patience, creativity, mercy and love of the Master Engineer," Bowden said.

He used his background as an engineer to explain how the human body is more advanced than much of the technology we have created.

Bowden also said gratitude for our bodies is something we should focus on more.

"We have often heard that there are two major purposes of mortality: to receive a body and to be tested," Bowden said.

He emphasized that we often focus more on the trials than on the blessings of having a mortal body.

"Our bodies are not incidental to the plan of salvation or our eternal happiness. They are central to it. And even though the temporal versions of our bodies may have challenging flaws, nevertheless, our bodies are magnificent gifts," Bowden said.

Bowden also discussed how diversity is an important part of our bodies' design.

"Our Master Engineer has given each of us the gift of being one of a kind. And because we are each unique, we each have something unique to give," Bowden said.

The importance of healing and working together was another point Bowden emphasized.

He shared his research on back pain, which showed how social connection can be a protective factor.

Bowden also said the repair process is another sign of the divine nature of our bodies. He said God wants us to care for our bodies.

"He asks for diligence, not panic. Consecration, not self-destruction. Progress, not performance theater," Bowden said.

Bowden concluded by emphasizing that our bodies are temples given to us by our Heavenly Father.