The Armor of God (Part 8: Prayer)

“Praying always” (Ephesians 6:18)

Sometimes lost at the end of this long list of very visual armor is the simple admonition to pray always. Too often, I feel, we may overlook the protection and power that come from prayer.

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, “one of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer—earnest, sincere, consistent prayer—is part of your daily lives” (link to talk).

PRAY ALWAYS

When we put on the whole armor of God we must remember to don what I feel is an immensely protective force field. We can read about the power it provides in scripture.

“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work” (Doctrine & Covenants 10:5).

The footnote for “come off conqueror” references self-mastery. Pray for the strength to conquer whatever challenges you face each day, whether they be internal or external. Elder Tad R. Callister asks,

“[Who] in Book of Mormon times would have let their sons march out to the front of battle without a breastplate and shield and sword to protect them against the potentially mortal blows of the enemy? But how many of us…march out the front door each morning to the most dangerous of all battlefields, to face Satan and his myriad of temptations, without [our] spiritual breastplate and shield and sword that come from the protective power of prayer?”

Another scripture I found repeats this admonition.

“What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:49).

Praying always does not mean that we need to continually be kneeling. Whatever our circumstances we can “pour out [our] hearts to [the Lord]; and He [will] know the thoughts of [our] hearts” (Mosiah 24:12). We truly need heaven’s help in this battle of life. Through prayer we can gain access to that help and protection.

WATCH AND PRAY

Amulek, in the Book of Mormon, exhorts us to “be watchful unto prayer continually, that [we] may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower [us]“ (Alma 34:39).

Prior to His suffering in Gethsemane the Savior taught of the need for prayer when He told His disciples to “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). 

After His resurrection He repeated this same counsel to the Nephites—twice. 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him….[and again] Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:15, 18-19).

Later, in a revelation through Joseph Smith to Thomas B. Marsh we again read, “Pray always, lest you enter into temptation” (Doctrine & Covenants 31:12).

This injunction to pray is repeated over and over as a way to find protection from the continual assault of the adversary. Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught,

“This entreaty of the Savior to avoid temptation consists of two acts of faith: to watch and to pray. The Guide to the Scriptures teaches us that to watch means ‘to be vigilant, to [be on] guard,’ which is wise advice in defending ourselves against a very real and ever-lurking enemy. And the corollary to the Savior’s wise advice to pray to avoid temptation is that without prayer, we will not have the spiritual strength or stamina to win this battle on our own” (link to talk).

In the Bible we see the great courage of Daniel. His enemies, through the king, have instilled a decree “that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of [the] king, he shall be cast into the den of lions” (Daniel 6:7). Daniel is a man who has built a relationship with the Lord and is not afraid of the king. In fact, Daniel realized that he would need the Lord’s help even more, as he knowingly defies the mandate of the king—so he prays.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Despite his obedience and faithfulness to God’s laws he was still subject to the laws of the land. He was found guilty of praying to Someone other than the king and was thrown into the lion’s den. However, because of his faith and prayers, the Lord “sent his angel, and…shut the lions’ mouths” (Daniel 6:22). His life was spared, his trust in the Lord increased, and his faith in the power of prayer expanded.

PROTECTION FROM REBELLION

The Book of Mormon prophet, Lehi, was a wealthy man. He warned the people in Jerusalem of their wickedness, and they wanted to kill him. Through the Lord's tender mercy Lehi was commanded in a dream to take his family into the wilderness, and he obeyed. 

“And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness” (1 Nephi 2:4).

This must have been a very sudden, unexpected change for the family. We learn that Laman and Lemuel, his two oldest sons, “did murmur against their father” (1 Nephi 2:12) but followed him into the wilderness. Lehi’s son, Nephi, did not. murmur, but it was because of where he turned for help. Nephi explained, 

“I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers” (1 Nephi 2:16).

If Nephi was crying unto the Lord it may have been due to questioning thoughts he had about his father's dream—thoughts  or feelings of doubt. When faced with these doubts Nephi prayed (and I’m sure it wasn’t the first time he had gone to the Lord for direction). I love the scripture that illustrates to me the manner in which Nephi prayed.

“Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (Doctrine & Covenants 112:10).

Through his humble petition Nephi's heart was softened—which means it must have previously been hardening. Through his prayer he was protected from the same hardening and doubt his brothers dealt with from this point on. Such is the protection provided through prayer.

POWER THROUGH PRAYER

I have heard it said that the Lord is influenced by our faith. The way we ask anything of the Lord is through prayer. The power of sincere prayer can have amazing, even miraculous, results.

In the Book of Mormon we read the account of Aaron (one of the sons of king Mosiah) teaching Lamoni’s father about the Plan of Salvation. The king told Aaron that he would be willing to forsake his kingdom for the joy of the gospel (see Alma 22:15). Aaron told him that to receive this joy he must pray.

“And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

“O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee” (Alma 22:17-18).

This king recognized a greater power than he had and humbled himself because of Aaron's words. Through this king’s prayer of faith he and “his whole household were converted until the Lord” (Alma 22:23).

Men cannot stop the work of God, but it is through the works of men that He will move His work forward. Another story is of Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni—sons of king Mosiah, and Alma the Younger (son of Alma the prophet) who were converted to the truth after a lifestyle of wickedness; including active persecution against the church. Alma the Elder prayed for his son (many times, I am sure). 

On one day, in particular, Alma the Younger and these sons of Mosiah “did go about secretly…seeking to destroy the church [when] behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them….And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth” (Mosiah 27:10-12). The angel tells them that his appearance is because of “the prayers of [the Lord’s] people, and also the prayers of [the Lord’s] servant, who is [Alma’s] father." The angel continued speaking to these wayward sons saying, “therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith” (Mosiah 27:14, emphasis added).

The prayers of the faithful must have touched the merciful heart of the Lord, giving these rebellious souls another chance. Because of faithful prayers their hearts were changed.

“And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.

“And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 27:35-36).

Through much prayer, scripture study, fasting and obedience (see Alma 17:2-3) they were blessed with their own miracle. We read,

“And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord…

“And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away” (Alma 23:5-6).

Bear with me while I share a few examples of the power of righteous people petitioning the Lord, and His answer to them. 

In the Old Testament we read about the prophet Abraham. One day he is visited by holy men and learns that the Lord is going to destroy the city of Sodom—the city where his nephew, Lot, is living. According to the Lord’s own words, Abraham is a righteous man (see Genesis 18:17-19). 

Abraham asks the Lord if He will spare the city of Sodom, if he (Abraham) can find 50 righteous people, and the Lord says He will. Abraham then asks if He will spare Sodom for 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally 10 righteous people (see Genesis 18:23-33). The Lord said, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (Genesis 18:32). 

It does not specifically say that Abraham prayed, but I am assuming he did because the way to ask the Lord for something is through prayer. Because of Abraham’s obedience, and his petitioning, the Lord’s heart was softened as shown by him being willing to not destroy it per Abraham's request.

Now, I want to turn to a story in the Book of Mormon. Mormon was also a righteous man, and “being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore [he] was visited of the Lord” (Mormon 1:15).

At the young age of 16 Mormon began leading the Nephite army. Describing the people he is leading, Mormon recounts, “And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually” (Mormon 2:15).

He was leading a very wicked army, and their day of grace was passed, and the spirit of the Lord will no longer help them in their battles. Yet Mormon keeps leading them. It doesn’t specifically say that he prayed to the Lord, but he must have prayed for them, because we read,

“And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared” (Mormon 3:2).

I don’t think the Lord would have just come to Mormon with this statement unless Mormon had asked. I am sure Mormon had many heartfelt prayers in behalf of those he led. I find it significant that in the previous chapter their day of grace had been passed, but through the petitioning of a righteous, obedient servant the Lord was willing to give them another chance.

Another story can be found in the book of Esther. Esther feels that she should go talk to the king to save her people; at the risk of losing her own life. She asks that her people fast for her for 3 days before she approaches. Again, it does not specifically mention prayer, but prayer combined with fasting can bring about miracles. I believe that such was the case in this situation. Esther approaches the king and is able to save her people (see Esther 4-5).

PATTERNS OF POWERFUL PRAYER

I listened to a talk by Diana Hoelscher entitled “Prayers That Reach Heaven”. In it she pointed out examples of patterns of prayer found in the scriptures where someone has been able to receive a powerful answer to their prayer. 

One example is in the book of Enos. What I remember about Enos when I was younger is that he said a really long prayer, and received an answer. I think the pattern that he followed before praying made much more of a difference than the amount of time he spent praying. 

Notice the pattern:

Enos went to hunt beasts in the forest. As he went he prepared to pray by pondering on the words that his father had taught him “concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints” (Enos 1:3). He was in a quiet place where he could be alone. He “kneeled down…[and] cried unto [God]” (Enos 1:4) out loud. Afterwards he listened, because “there came a voice unto [him]” (Enos 1:5).

Another example of the heavens opening came because of the petition of a young boy who had a question and knew not where to turn. In his confusion he turned to the scriptures to find answers. He read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). Young Joseph prepared to pray by "reflect[ing] on [this scripture] again and again" (Joseph Smith History 1:12). Alone in a quiet grove he knelt down, and began to pray vocally (see Joseph Smith History 1:14-15). He recounts, 

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me….

“When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith History 1:16-17).

Joseph is then blessed to get a glimpse of what he was foreordained to do. With the task of helping to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ—something that I am sure never crossed his mind—millions have been brought to a knowledge of the truth.

Using the patterns above: pondering before we pray, going somewhere quiet where we can be alone, kneeling down, praying vocally, and listening; we will find that our prayers can reach heaven. As I have taken time to do these things it helps me think about who it is that I am talking to, and it changes my focus. I am able to be more sincere and heartfelt in my gratitude and in my petitions. I have also felt much closer to heaven.

President Marion G. Romney taught, 

“We are children of God. As such, we have the potentiality to rise to his perfection. 

“No one shall ever reach such perfection unless he is guided to it by Him who is perfect. And guidance from Him is to be had only through prayer” (link to talk).

As we take time to commune with the Lord each day—setting aside time specifically to pray, rather than as a last-minute afterthought—we can arm ourselves with the protection, direction, and guidance that we so desperately need in this battlefield of life.

The Armor of God

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught,

“I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of dozens of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the user greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil.

“It is a common expression to talk about the 'chinks' in a person’s armor. The definition of the word chink is 'a small cleft, slit, or fissure.' Should an arrow strike exactly one of the chinks in one’s armor, a fatal wound can result” (link to talk).

No piece of armor is more important than the other. They are all essential to our spiritual protection. 

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12).

As we lay aside the natural man, standing as men and women of God, putting on the whole armor of God, and leave our entangling nets of this world, we can be protected and will be led more powerfully than ever before to become who we are meant to be.

The Armor of God (Part 7: the Word of God)

“and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17)

I find it interesting that all of the previous armor listed seems to be protective in nature. The sword is the only offensive weapon. To me this means that using the word of God should be central to our plan of attack in the fight against sin. A soldier in combat holds his sword tightly; sometimes with both hands. A solder at the ready must also have a tight grip. Likewise, we must hold fast to the word of God throughout all the ups and downs this life has to offer us.

Sword

A sword is a weapon that one uses when face-to-face with the enemy. Projectile weapons, such as arrows or darts, are used from a distance to weaken the defenses. The adversary knows that if he can continually weaken us with his “fiery darts” (1 Nephi 15:24) it can keep us from being as effective in the battle against sin. President James E. Faust taught,

“Who has not heard and felt the enticings of the devil? His voice often sounds so reasonable and his message so easy to justify. It is an enticing, intriguing voice with dulcet tones. It is neither hard nor discordant. No one would listen to Satan’s voice if it sounded harsh or mean. If the devil’s voice were unpleasant, it would not entice people to listen to it….

“However, we need not become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat. The Apostle James counseled: ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’. He cannot know our thoughts unless we speak them. And Nephi states that ‘he hath no power over the hearts’ of people who are righteous” (link to talk).

To be righteous means fighting whole-heartedly on the Lord’s side. The Lord, Himself, has said over and over again that He “shall fight for [us]” (Exodus 14:14). In Deuteronomy we read, “The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you” (Deuteronomy 1:30), and again in Nehemiah, “our God shall fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20). In modern times He has again reiterated,

“For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles” (Doctrine & Covenants 105:14).

The Lord will be our arm as we fight for Him. Elder Robert D. Hales gave further insight into the protecting arm of the Lord when he stated, “In our day, the steadying arm of the Lord reaches us through the ordinances of His holy temples” (link to talk).

When wielding a sword we can only be effective in our own sphere of influence. Our sword will not help someone in a far away land. Our sword, or our influence, can greatly impact the lives of those around us—whether we choose to use it for good or ill.

Spirit

From my limited experience with video games I have learned that haphazardly shooting in any (and all) directions, or flailing a weapon wildly about is not very effective. In fact, I am always one of the first to be killed. Similarly, if we are not familiar, or comfortable, with the word of God we may feel as completely ineffective in our battle against the adversary.

As we put ourselves in situations where we can feel the Spirit we can be tutored by the promptings of the Holy Ghost and thus fine-tune our swords. As we study the word of God it will be “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3).

Looking to the example of our Savior we can see how He used His in-depth internalization of the scriptures to counteract temptation. 

In the Gospel of Matthew we read that Jesus went into the wilderness to be with God. There He fasted, prayed, and communed with Him—thus arming Himself with the Spirit of God. Satan came to Him to tempt Him; and did so three times.

“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread….

“If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone….

“All these things [all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them] will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:3, 6, 8-9).

David O. McKay explains that the three kinds of temptations the Jesus experienced are the same kind that we are faced with in our day: 1) tempted with those things our bodies hunger for; 2) tempted by pride—to prove how great we are; and 3) tempted to do wrong to gain the riches and powers of the world (see Gospel Ideas, p 154-55).

In the first two temptations I find it very telling that the adversary starts with “if thou be the Son of God”. Satan knows full well that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus knows this too. If we compare this to the story of Moses, we see that Moses “saw God face to face, and he talked with him” (Moses 1:2). During this interchange God says, “thou art my son” (Moses 1:4), and “Moses, my son” (Moses 1:6). When Satan comes afterwards his tactics seem to be the same “Moses, son of man” (Moses 1:12). 

The adversary will try in any way shape or form to make us believe that we are not the literal, spirit children of God. If he can convince us of this he can place a wedge between us and God. Never doubt that you are a child of God. Stand firm in that conviction. 

President Uchtdorf taught of God’s love for us when he said,

“[T]he vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters….

“[W]e are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it” (link to talk).

We are the reason that God created everything. His love for us surpasses anything that we can imagine. We are imperfect beings interacting with imperfect beings. God is perfect—something that is hard to comprehend, but nonetheless true.

When confronted by the adversary the Savior did not, even for a moment, think to justify Himself to the temptation. He simply responded with, 

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God….

“It is written…Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God….

“Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, emphasis added).

Why, when the Savior had all of His miraculous power at His disposal, did He use words of scriptures against the adversary? Because He knew that,

“the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of body and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, JST-12e).

The Greek translation of the word “quick” is “living” (see footnote b). Jesus knew the power that flows from the living word of God. The truth that IS the word of God will pierce the hearts of the guilty, and those trying to deceive. I can think of several times when we have been counseled to fill our arsenal with scripture, through memorizing them. Elder Richard G. Scott counseled, 

“I suggest that you memorize scriptures that touch your heart and fill your soul with understanding. When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased. Sometimes when there is a significant need in my life, I review mentally scriptures that have given me strength. There is great solace, direction, and power that flow from the scriptures, especially the words of the Lord” (link to talk). 

He later taught,

“The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly. They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.

“Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change” (link to talk). 

Elder Gene R. Cook of the Seventy said: 

“I have discovered that many times you don’t fully understand a scripture until you memorize it. And sometimes I have memorized a passage because it seemed important and valuable to me—then afterwards I discovered deeper meanings that I hadn’t even known were there” (Searching the Scriptures: Bringing Power to Your Personal and Family Study, p114).

I am quite positive that this counsel to memorize is to help our minds and hearts be ready to respond with truth when the temptations or challenges come.

In Lehi’s dream about the Tree of Life we are taught that the word of God can be likened to an iron rod (1 Nephi 15:23-24). And, in the Book of Helaman we read, 

“that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked” (Helaman 3:29).

Whosover will. The choice is ours. If we will choose to hold steadfastly to the iron rod, the word of God, we will be able to “divide asunder all the cunning and snares and wiles of the devil”. It is our diligence that makes this happen. Alma teaches,

“[I]t is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to [the Liahona], which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

“And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

“O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

“And now…see that ye look to God and live” (Alma 37:44-47).

The word of God is readily available to us. It is an easy course to follow, but sometimes may seem too easy. We have great access to the scriptures—more than any time before—and we need to be careful not to take them for granted. President Ezra Taft Benson counseled,

“[L]et us not treat lightly the great things we have received from the hand of the Lord! His word is one of the most valuable gifts He has given us. I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you” (link to talk).

The Word of God

When I think of the word of God there are generally three things that come to mind: the scriptures, the words of the prophets, and personal revelation.

SCRIPTURES

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we embrace the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, as canonized scripture. In the Doctrine and Covenants we are taught that “the Book of Mormon…contains the truth and the word of God” (Doctrine & Covenants 19:26). Our Articles of Faith states, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God” (Article of Faith 1:8).

PROPHET

In the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord is speaking—delivering His preface to “the doctrines, covenants, and commandments given in this dispensation” (heading to Section 1). He declares, 

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:38).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught, 

“The Lord and His prophets are one. They are united in the same mind and in the same judgement. Light and truth and righteousness come from God and are revealed and bestowed by Him upon chosen servants, who wear the prophetic mantle” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p1).

PERSONAL REVELATION

“Revelation is communication from God to His children. Prophets…are not the only people who can receive revelation. According to our faithfulness, we can receive revelation to help us with our specific personal needs, responsibilities, and questions and to help us strengthen our testimony….[M]ost revelations to leaders and members of the Church come through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

“Quiet spiritual promptings may not seem as spectacular as visions or angelic visitations, but they are just as powerful and lasting and life changing. The witness of the Holy Ghost makes an impression on the soul that is more significant than anything we can see or hear. Through such revelations, we will receive lasting strength to stay true to the gospel and help others do the same” (link to topic).

We can increase in understanding the revelation we receive and can know the will of the Lord in our own life and our unique circumstances. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught,

“A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; … those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p151). 

President Boyd K. Packer also taught this about receiving revelation.

“There are two parts to your nature—your temporal body born of mortal parents, and your immortal spirit within. You are a son or daughter of God.

“Physically you can see with eyes and hear with ears and touch and feel and learn. Through your intellect, you learn most of what you know about the world in which we live.

“But if you learn by reason only, you will never understand the Spirit and how it works—regardless of how much you learn about other things….

“Your spirit learns in a different way than does your intellect….

“You have your agency, and inspiration does not—perhaps cannot—flow unless you ask for it, or someone asks for you.

“No message in scripture is repeated more often than the invitation, even the command, to pray—to ask.

“Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees….

“The flow of revelation depends on your faith. You exercise faith by causing, or by making, your mind accept or believe as truth that which you cannot, by reason alone, prove for certainty” (link to talk).

One thing we can receive by revelation is a testimony, or a spiritual witness of truth. It is given to us by the Holy Ghost, and can only be received through this channel. It comes as we have the faith to put forth the effort to prepare. 

As we arm ourselves with the word of God by searching the scriptures, listening to the words of the prophet, and responding to the personal revelation we receive—in times of peace and in times of trial—we can fortify ourselves against the attacks of the enemy. With this conviction in our hearts the sword of the Spirit will be strong and immoveable in our hand.

The Armor of God (Part 6: Salvation)

“And take the hemet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17)

Take

It is easy to “take” something when it is being offered to you. Salvation has been offered to each of us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It will not be thrust upon us. We must do the taking. When taking this helmet it isn’t with the intent to cradle it in our arms and think of how nice it might be to wear it. To take the helmet of salvation is to accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and to have it become a part of who we are. To access the armor provided by the helmet of salvation we need to remember who we are and who we can become.

Helmet

A helmet protects the head of the wearer. We can take the helmet as we take control of what the helmet protects: our minds. President David O. McKay said,

“What a man continually thinks about determines his actions in times of opportunity and stress” (link to talk).

President Thomas S. Monson has also stated, "Decisions determine destiny" (link to article). Protect your mind. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:45). We can be so tempted by appetites and desires in the world we live in, but we need to remember that we are in control of our minds. President Boyd K. Packer taught, “Your body really is the instrument of your mind and the foundation of your character” (link to talk). As we take control we will be able to become stronger and more in tune with the link between our body and our spirit.

The best way to keep our helmet (and our mind) in an eternally focused position is to keep the Lord in there. President Ezra Taft Benson stated, “We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives. He must come first” (link to talk). This isn’t a Sunday-only type of worship, or an ‘after I finish <insert anything>’ mindset. It is a fight to overcome the tendency toward apathy, laziness, and procrastination that seems to appeal to the natural man. President Benson continues, “To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all-consuming and all-encompassing. It is no lukewarm endeavor” (link to talk). We need to be seeking and searching for the Lord. As President Joseph Field Smith taught, 

“‘I am seeking after my salvation, and I know that I can find it only in obedience to the laws of the Lord in keeping the commandments, in performing works of righteousness, following in the footsteps of our file leader, Jesus, the exemplar and the head of all” (link to lesson).

By focusing on my eternal goals and working backwards, I can set daily goals to help me reach where I really want to be. For example if I want to build a strong relationship with my Father in Heaven, then today I can choose to really pray, and to feast on the Word of God. If I want to be a good visiting teacher, then today I can pray for the sisters I am assigned to visit. I have found that it is much easier to act when I keep my daily actions aligned with my eternal goals. Elder Carlos A. Godoy spoke of using our patriarchal blessing as a guide for  setting our goals when he said,

“Life was good, and everything seemed to be as it should be—until one day an old friend came to visit us.

“At the conclusion of his visit, he made a comment and asked a question that unsettled my convictions. He said, ‘Carlos, everything seems to be going well for you, your family, your career, and your service in the Church, but—’ and then came the question, ‘if you continue to live as you are living, will the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?’

“I had never thought about my patriarchal blessing in this way. I read it from time to time but never with the intent of looking toward the blessings promised in the future and evaluating how I was living in the present” (link to talk).

Janie Penfield, in a BYU Devotional, expressed setting goals in this way,

“Planning with purpose is the best way to ensure that each adventure is successful…Before we begin…we must determine the purpose of our trek so we know which trails to take. Then we must [stay] on course or we will not reach our destination” (link to talk).

Keep your helmet on. Keep your mind focused on your ultimate goal. “Do what is right, let the consequence follow” (link to hymn).

Salvation

In the Topical Guide the word “salvation” is listed in several ways. Some of these include   the Plan of Salvation, the Work of Salvation for the Dead, and the Salvation that comes through the Atonement of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

PLAN OF SALVATION

Before we came to earth we lived with our Father in Heaven. We are the literal spirit children of Deity. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World we read, “ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny” (link to document). Knowing who we truly are, and that the Lord has a plan for us, can give us a greater perspective of who we can become. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, 

“Consider the power of the idea taught in our beloved song ‘I Am a Child of God’….Here is the answer to one of life’s great questions, ‘Who am I?’ I am a child of God with a spirit lineage to heavenly parents. That parentage defines our eternal potential. That powerful idea is a potent antidepressant. It can strengthen each of us to make righteous choices and to seek the best that is within us. Establish in the mind of a young person the powerful idea that he or she is a child of God and you have given self-respect and motivation to move against the problems of life” (link to talk).

Vaughn J. Featherstone, explained the power of knowing who we are with this example,

“Many years ago I heard the story of the son of King Louis XVI of France. King Louis had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought that inasmuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.

“They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. They exposed him to dishonor and distrust. He was surrounded 24 hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment—but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure. Finally, after intensive temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to these things—why had he not partaken? These things would provide pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his. The boy said, ‘I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be a king’” (link to talk).

The same is true of us. We are each literal children of our Father in Heaven, destined to become like Him. We can gain strength from knowing that we are here on earth at this specific time, for a specific purpose. Elder Russell M. Nelson taught,

“Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people” (link to talk).

Before we came to this earth we learned that we would be proven, “to see if [we would] do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]” (Abraham 3:25). We will be proved through times of trial and tribulation, as well as through times of peace and prosperity. The Plan of Salvation is sometimes referred to as The Plan of Happiness. Nephi teaches us that “men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). Elder Richard G. Scott reminds us, “Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously” (link to talk). As we are obedient to the steps the Lord has outlined we can receive that promised joy. Elder Scott also taught,

“Continually bless your life with the power of righteousness. It builds confidence. It engenders trust. It yields enduring, worthy achievement. To be righteous is to seek intently to be obedient to the commandments of God. It is to be clean in thought and act. It is to be honest and just. Righteousness is shown more in acts than in words. A righteous life requires discipline. Discipline is that characteristic which will give you the strength to avoid giving up what you want most in life for something you think you want now. It is a friend, not a harsh taskmaster that makes life miserable. Discipline is easier to acquire when it is rooted in faith in Jesus Christ, when it is nourished by an understanding of His teachings and plan of happiness….In doing right you enlist the help of God to sustain you to be victorious. You need not fear the future. For you, it will be glorious as you continue to obey the laws of God” (link to talk).

We are His children. He is doing (and has done) everything that He can do to help us in this life. How we choose to use our agency is the deciding factor. We can choose to do things our way, or the Lord’s way, but the decisions we make will determine who we will become now, and in the eternities to come. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said,

“I am going to preach a hard doctrine to you now. The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. It is a hard doctrine, but it is true. The many other things we give to God, however nice that may be of us, are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him” (link to article).

As we commit ourselves to doing the will of the Lord we can truly become His disciples. As President Thomas S. Monson stated, “I believe that the more we act upon the inspiration and impressions which come to us, the more the Lord will entrust to us His errands” (link to talk). Elder Daniel L. Johnson also taught,

“Discipleship is all about doing and becoming. As we obey His commandments and serve our fellowmen, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ. Obedience and submission to His will bring the companionship of the Holy Ghost, along with those blessings of peace, joy, and security that always accompany this third member of the Godhead. And they can come in no other way. Ultimately, it is total submission to His will that helps us become as our Savior is. Again, becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective—and essentially the very definition of true discipleship” (link to talk).

THE WORK OF SALVATION

The work of Salvation for those who have passed from this mortal life began after the Savior’s death. President Joseph F. Smith saw the following in a vision he received while pondering the writings of the apostle Paul.

“As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great.

“And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality;

“And who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer’s name.

“All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

“I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand.

“They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death.

“Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy.

“While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful;

“And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance” (Doctrine & Covenants 138:11-19).

The Plan of Salvation includes the work of salvation for the dead. Families can be together after this life, but we must be linked somehow. We must help them in their efforts to return to their Father in Heaven, and in return they will help us. Joseph Smith taught,

“And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (Doctrine & Covenants 128:15).

As we seek our ancestors, and perform ordinances for them in the temple, we can help build an eternal link throughout generations past and future. Our deceased family members are anxious for our welfare and are willing to help us as we search for them. Elder Richard G. Scott taught,

“Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received…This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions” (link to talk).

SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

In the 3rd Article of Faith we learn that it is “through the Atonement of Christ, [that] all mankind may be saved, by obedience” (Article of Faith 1:3, emphasis added). It is the little things—those small acts of obedience—that we do each day that help build a solid foundation of faith under our feet, and direct us toward salvation. Alma taught,

“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

“And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6-7).

Obedience can be a hard thing. The natural man loves to be independent, and loves to chose his own way. One of the challenges that we will face in this life is overcoming the natural man; aligning our will the Lord’s.

In the book “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller it speaks of the importance of obedience. As a toddler Helen was stricken with a fever which eventually caused the loss of her sight, hearing, and speech. She was a very strong-willed child and took command of her life (and those around her). Her parents loved her, and expressed this through indulging her in her demands and desires. Robert Russell, in the introduction to this book, expresses that if she had been allowed to remain in this state she never could have attained the greatness she later achieved in her life. He said,

“Great intelligence, vigor, and strength of will, however rare and marvelous, produce nothing unless they are harnessed and given direction. Harnessing means restraint, and restraint means obedience, and obedience means respect, perhaps love, for some one or some thing other than one’s self. All this Helen needed to learn before she could find and become herself” (Robert Russell, Introduction to “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller, p4).

Before we can truly find ourselves we need to learn to be obedient. As we choose to be obedient, as opposed to choosing our own way, our love for our Father in Heaven will grow. Through our obedience we will be able to see the many blessings He is willing to shower upon us. Elder L. Tom Perry explains,

“Those who rely solely on themselves and follow only their own desires and self-inclinations are so limited when compared to those who follow God and tap into His insight, power, and gifts. It has been said that someone who is all wrapped up in himself or herself makes a very small package. Strong, proactive obedience is anything but weak or passive. It is the means by which we declare our faith in God and qualify ourselves to receive the powers of heaven. Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence” (link to talk).

Through God’s omniscience the Atonement of Jesus Christ was prepared from the foundation of the world. Our Heavenly Father and our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, desire our eternal salvation. As we come to know Them we can understand how generous They truly are to each of us. King Benjamin expressed his testimony of salvation,

“[I]f ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—

“I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation” (Mosiah 4:6-7).

Salvation is a gift that is offered to all men; from the beginning of this earth to the end thereof. We can take this gift as we are obedient to His plan. As we come to understand the love our Heavenly Father has for us—through His Plan of Salvation—we can be better prepared (and protected) against the challenges of this life. We can know who we are, that God has a specific plan for each of us, and that He will help guide us as we seek Him. We can assist in the Work of Salvation for those who have passed on before us, by searching out our ancestors; thus helping them receive the ordinances required for their own salvation. We can arm ourselves with the Helmet of Salvation as we keep our minds focused on the Lord and His eternal work and glory—to help each of us obtain eternal life with Him (see Moses 1:39).