The Armor of God: A Call to Protect Our Souls

The Armor of God: A Call to Protect Our Souls

As we prepare ourselves for the battle against Satan’s deceptions, the Lord has given us the powerful armor of righteousness to protect our hearts, minds, and spirits. In the teachings of Doctrine and Covenants 27-28, we are invited to put on the armor of God—an armor that mirrors what we covenant to do in the temple. Each piece of armor helps us guard against the vulnerabilities that Satan uses to pull us away from the path that leads to Christ and the eternal feast.

Let’s begin by acknowledging the reality of our vulnerabilities. The Lord, in sections 23 and 24, points out weaknesses in the lives of Joseph and Oliver. They respond by strengthening those weaknesses. The battle against Satan is much like the spiritual warfare described in the Old Testament, where Captain Moroni leads his people in defending their homes and families. Just as Captain Moroni defended his people, we too must build up our weak places and protect them from the attacks of the adversary. So let’s look at each piece of armor and how it corresponds to our vulnerabilities, as well as how we can safeguard ourselves.

1. Loins Girded with Truth

In verse 16, we’re told to “guard up your loins with truth.” Our loins represent our core—the seat of our desires, our posterity, and our physical and emotional strength. In the world today, we are vulnerable in this area to temptations that distort the truths of chastity and the sanctity of the family. Satan is attacking the family in these latter days, and he knows that if he can sway our desires, he can turn our hearts away from God.

The antidote to this vulnerability is truth. We must understand what is truly lasting, what will bring us joy and peace in the long term. The Lord defines truth as "knowledge of things as they are, as they were, and as they will be." As we understand truth—especially in the areas of chastity and family—we are able to gird up our loins and protect our hearts and minds from the lies of the adversary.

2. Breastplate of Righteousness

Next, we’re told to put on the breastplate of righteousness (verse 16). The breastplate covers our heart—the center of our emotions, desires, and feelings. If the enemy can affect our heart, he can pull us away from our Savior. Righteousness protects our hearts, ensuring that we love the right things and that our desires align with God’s will. In Revelation 19:8, the bride prepares for the marriage feast by putting on “fine linen, clean and white”—the righteousness of the Saints. As we live righteously, we “stitch” that dress for the Savior. Every act of obedience, every covenant we keep, adds to the robe of righteousness that will protect our heart and prepare us to enter into the feast.

3. Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

In verse 16, we are told to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Our feet represent the path we walk in life—the direction we are headed. As we navigate life’s challenges, we are vulnerable to stepping off the path if we are not careful. We need to be intentional about where we are going.

The antidote to this vulnerability is preparation. As we prepare ourselves daily through prayer, scripture study, and weekly participation in the sacrament, we are strengthening our feet and ensuring that we are walking in the right direction. The performance of church activities and our commitment to the gospel prepares us for the path that leads to Christ. These preparations keep us grounded and steadfast, ensuring we don’t stray.

4. Shield of Faith

In verse 17, we are told to take the shield of faith, which protects us from the fiery darts of the wicked. These darts are designed to hit us in our weakest places—our doubts, our fears, and our blind spots. The enemy does not need to tear off our armor; he simply needs to strike at our vulnerabilities with doubt. A fiery dart of doubt can cause us to remove our armor altogether, but the shield of faith blocks these darts and protects us.

Faith is the antidote here. We hold up the shield of faith when we trust in the Lord and His promises. As we strengthen our faith in Him, we are able to protect ourselves from the adversary’s attacks, preventing his fiery darts from reaching our vulnerable spots.

5. Helmet of Salvation

Lastly, we are told to put on the helmet of salvation (verse 18). Our heads represent our thoughts and beliefs. If Satan can influence our thoughts, he can influence our actions. The helmet of salvation guards our minds and protects us from the deceptions that would lead us away from the truth.

The antidote to this vulnerability is salvation. By understanding our true identity as children of God and remembering our covenants, we protect our minds from the lies and distractions of the world. Salvation is not just a future hope; it is a present reality that empowers us to live in alignment with God’s will. As we put on the helmet of salvation, we guard our minds from negative influences and keep our focus on eternal truths.

The Full Armor of God

In the temple, we are invited to put on sacred clothing that symbolizes these very pieces of armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. The armor of God is not just a metaphor; it is a real, spiritual protection that we must wear daily as we strive to live righteously and defend ourselves from the adversary.

As we put on the armor of God, we protect our hearts, minds, bodies, and families from the attacks of the enemy. By recognizing our vulnerabilities and covering them with the antidotes of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation, we are equipped to stand firm in the day of trial. And in doing so, we prepare ourselves to sit at the feast with the Savior, fully clothed in His righteousness, ready to receive the blessings of eternal life.