What Is the Armor of God and How Do We Put It On?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 27-28 in a lesson titled “All Things Must Be Done in Order.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Revelation was still a relatively new concept for the Saints as the Restoration continued to unfold. Early Church members knew that the Prophet Joseph Smith could receive revelation for the Church. But could others? Questions like this became critical when Hiram Page, one of the Eight Witnesses of the gold plates, believed he had received revelations for the Church. Many faithful Saints believed that these revelations were from God. The Lord responded by teaching that in His Church “all things must be done in order” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:13). This meant having only one person “appointed to receive commandments and revelations” for the entire Church (Doctrine and Covenants 28:2). Others, however, could receive personal revelation for their part in the Lord’s work. In fact, the Lord’s words to Oliver Cowdery are a reminder to all of us: “It shall be given thee … what thou shalt do” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:15).

The scripture block for this week contained the following principles: (1) I take the sacrament in remembrance of Jesus Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 27:1-4), (2) The Lord gives His servants priesthood keys to direct His work (Doctrine and Covenants 27:5-14), (3) The armor of God helps me stand against evil (Doctrine and Covenants 27:15-18), (4) Jesus Christ directs His Church through His living prophet (Doctrine and Covenants 28), and (5) Why was a mission to the Lamanites significant? (Doctrine and Covenants 28:8-9).

This essay will discuss principle #3 “The armor of God helps me stand against evil” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:15-18). Those people familiar with the New Testament will know that the Apostles Paul discussed the armor of God in his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:11-18). We will begin the discussion by looking at the scripture reference.

15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

As you study these verses, you might write the name of the piece of armor, the protected body part, and what the body part might represent. For example, the breastplate of righteousness protects the heart, which represents desires and affections. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following: 

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” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 8).