Maintaining and building positive relationships is one of the important elements in a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Wendy L. Watson stated in her book Rock Solid Relationship, "If we have been hurt in a relationship, we often gather an arsenal of weapons, thinking they will protect our hearts from further damage. But ironically, such weapons can injure us in addition to those we are defending against. These weapons of war are thoughts, feelings, and behaviors such as harsh judgments, jealousies, and sarcasm that keep us feeling separate, isolated, and lonely. If you are unable to find love and peace and joy in your relationships, could it be you are carrying around thoughts that wound love? feelings that bruise peace? actions that kill you?"

These weapons prevent us from forming healthy relationships we need in our lives. If we are willing to open ourselves to others and communicate, we will be able to develop relationships in any environment that we are positioned. Elder L. Lionel Kendrick once said communication is "at the core of our relationships with others. If we are to return home safely to Heavenly Father, we must develop righteous relationships with His children here in mortality." Our communication with others is reflected in our countenance. Elder Kendrick also said, "we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can be strengthened or shattered by the message and the manner in which we communicate."

By strengthening our relationships, we will also be able to strengthen ourselves. We will feel better about ourselves and be more willing to open ourselves to new relationships and experiences.