Dear Readers,
There is some hesitation with me, for fear of being too redundant with these posts, but it is difficult not to go through different articles of armor without redundancy. That being said, let us begin with the medieval.
The medieval breastplate is called a cuirass, and is made to protect the vital organs withing the chest and abdomen. I thought it was interesting how similar the word cuirass is to carapace. A carapace is the hard outer shell of a turtle, crustacean, or arachnid. Essentially it is the densest part of the exoskeleton. It seems quite fitting that the hard metal shell of a breastplate be compared to the hard protective shell of a turtle.
Besides these artificial exoskeletons, human have their own internal breastplate we call a rib cage. This thoracic cage helps to protect the lungs, heart and other organs of the chest cavity. However, there are the "chinks" in the armor between the ribs. Sadly, Satan tries to get at us through these kinks in our "natural" state, metaphorically speaking. Which is why we have to do our part to protect ourselves with righteousness.
Though a medieval cuirass is likely the most popular version of the breastplate of righteousness we see illustrated, Paul likely had the Roman breastplate in mind when he spoke about the armor of God (
Ephesians 6:14). These breastplates have various names including muscle cuirass, anatomical cuirass, or heroic cuirass. Clearly there is the hint of Greek influence because of the use of muscular architecture in the armor. It is intriguing how righteousness can be like a muscle. Every day one has to work and labor to get righteous, and stay righteous, otherwise progression stops, muscles atrophy and spiritual strength is lost.
 |
| George Clooney in Batman & Robin |
Now, what is most hilarious is what I would classify under the "anatomical cuirass" title: the use of nipples on the armor. I realize that it has been a clever slogan because of the humor found in Batman & Robin, but I cannot see armor like this without thinking, "Holy Bat-Nipples, Batman". Just remember Batman's armor and suit when thinking about the armor of God... (raspy voice) "I'm not wearing hockey pads... I'm wearing the armor of God!" Alas, jokes aside, there is a more spiritual breastplate to talk about now.
 |
| The Alchemist 6: Urim and Thummim by Blu3berrystar from Deviantart.com |
It is likely that the breastplate of judgment was the kind of breastplate that Isaiah was referring to in his use of the armor of God (
Isaiah 59:17) for he lived long before the Roman invasion of Israel. This breastplate of judgment had various gem stones (
Exodus 28:17-20), each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel (
Guide to the Scriptures: Twelve Tribes of Israel).
These breastplates of Israel were a sheet of metal, gold for the breastplate of judgment in the temple, and would only cover the front of the individual. I have mentioned how the rectangular shape of the breastplate of judgment is similar to those found in the eastern American Indian ruins in my post about the
Geography of the Book of Mormon. However, the shape and intricacy of the breastplate of judgment had another purpose.
"And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the Lord: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually." (
Exodus 28:30) The breastplate of judgment was made to support the Urim and Thummim.
Bible Dictionary defines the Urim and Thummim as a "Hebrew term that means 'Lights and Perfections." An instrument prepared of God to assist man in obtaining revelation from the Lord and in translating languages... There is more than one Urim and Thummim, but we are informed that Joseph Smith had the one used by the brother of Jared." There is a partial description given by Joseph Smith in his history
1:35, "Also, that there were two stones in silver bows-- and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim--deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted 'seers' in ancient and former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book."
 |
| Image from "Are crystals and gems used in the bible" blog post by Thesoulintention |
Surprisingly, I found that Jewish tradition has one of these stones white, and the other black. As I mentioned in my post about
Light, that the color of white is produced by all of the spectrum of visible light reflecting off the object, and made a correlation between light and knowledge and intelligence. Thus it is fitting that a white stone represents complete light for the "complete" light that we can see is being reflected to the viewer. It is also amazing how complete truth is represented by a black stone, which absorbs all the visible spectrum of light. It holds it all, it contains it all. All truth, things as they were, and as they are, and as they are to come (
Doctrine and Covenants 93:24).
 |
| My portrayal of the combination of both types of Urim and Thummim described. |
Yet, if the Urim and Thummim were comprised of these stones, why have this gift of God been described so similar to spectacles or glasses? Based off of Lucy Smith's eye witness account, they were triangular diamonds set in glass, but to remember, this was the Urim and Thummim that the Brother of Jared used and thus was from before Abraham's time, for the Jaredites fled the eastern world to the Americas at the time of the tower of Babel and the confounding of languages (
Guide to the Scriptures: Jared, Brother of). Wherefore, it was before Israel's day and thereby before the law of Moses and the use of the tabernacle, and thus it was likely that there would be some superficial differences between the two Urim and Thummim.
 |
| Spectacles from Nation Treasure |
Most intriguing of all was this depiction that reminded me of the spectacles from National Treasure, of why the triangular shapes are alternating. With an overlay, it makes the star of David, also with hints of temple significance.
Why is all of this information about the breastplate of judgment and the Urim and Thummim so important to mention? Using the breastplate of judgment as a symbol of the breastplate of righteousness, we can see that not only does righteousness help protect us from the attacks of Satan, but it also supports and enables communication with our Father in Heaven. For it was by a Urim and Thummim that Abraham talked with God (
Abraham 3:1,4). Though it is true that we can never be so sinful that we become unworthy to pray to God (
Richard G. Scott "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer"), we can become hardened beyond feeling His answers, which usually come in the form of the Holy Ghost and He cannot dwell with those that are unrighteous (
Dalin H. Oaks "Spiritual Gifts",
Robert D. Hales "Gifts of the Spirit",
Larry Y. Wilson "Only upon the Principles of Righteousness").
If righteousness is so important, what is it?
Righteousness is defined in the scriptures as "Being just, holy, virtuous, upright; acting in obedience to God's commands; avoiding sin."
Being "just" has roots in "justice". Like the scales of justice, we have to be honest with out dealings with those around us, and with ourselves. It also means that if we do something wrong, then we understand and are prepared to pay the penalty (
Guide to the Scriptures: Justice).
"Holy" is like "godliness" and "purity" (
Guide to the Scriptures: Holy). We have to strive to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. For He is, was, and ever shall be Holy, and by so being has given us an example of how to live a "holy" life.
"Virtue" is usually considered behavior showing high moral standards (
Guide to the Scriptures: Virtue), but with the roots in Latin it has a connotation towards manliness and strength. Ultimately it comes down to worthiness. A warrior worth having in the army would be considered virtuous because they would be able to fulfill their purpose (
Biblestudytools). Now days we think of "virtue" in a more feminine manner, like a virtuous woman. As I said, a virtuous woman is a worthy woman, because she is conducting her actions, her body, and herself in a way in which she can fulfill her purpose in God's grand design. There is no reason why these uses of "virtue" need to be separated, for men should be as virtuous in their behavior as women.
Now, upright is an interesting element of righteousness. Like standing upright, it implies that one is not burdened by shame, or guilt of un-repented sins. It also symbolizes standing up for what is right. Not being ashamed of being the "goody-two-shoes" but also not flaunting it as though one is superior because of it. They are simply being on the side of truth and honor for chivalry's sake.
It may not always be easy to keep the commandments of God, but they are divinely given to help free and strengthen those who would obey. Also, by keeping a commandment, it qualifies one to receive the blessings associated with it, for every blessing is given because of obedience to the law it is predicated upon (
Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21).
Lastly, we can be righteous by avoiding sin. As I mentioned in the previous post about having
Loins Girt about by Truth, sin is an archery term for missing the mark. To avoid missing the mark, it means that we are aiming for the "bull's eye", or center of the target. To do this, one has to have an eye single to the task at hand, in this case, it is having an eye single to the glory of God (
Doctrine and Covenants 55:1), and one has to be skilled with the bow, weapon or instrument being used. What are our instruments in severing the glory of God, (which is sharing the gospel and helping those around us to return to God [
Moses 1:39])? The instruments of God's work vary as much as His children vary. I have not been that proficient in speaking, but I love to write, and thus this blog itself is one of my instruments that I use to help other's come unto Him.
I encourage you to seek out your gifts, talents, and passions and see how you can use them to glorify God.
How do these elements of righteousness strengthen, protect, and enable us to come closer to God? If we realize the punishments affixed to His commandments, we are more likely to obey them, and therefore qualify for His blessings in our lives. We become a tool that fulfill's the purpose of its creation, someone God can count on to heed spiritual promptings and act. It becomes an armor to us, as we stand firm, glistening, polished, untainted by the rust and decay of sin. Our bodies become reciprocals of truth and knowledge, our minds of godliness and humility, and our spirits of purity and power.
Alas, true righteousness may never be achieved in this life, for we all sin, we all have tarnished the armor God has given us. However, our short comings do not remove us from being among the righteous, for the righteous are those who try to have righteousness. Indeed, it is because we are not perfect, it is because of our weaknesses and gaps in our metaphorical ribs of protection that God has given us the ability to choose righteousness and overcome those weaknesses. Our armor may be blemished, it may be worn from use or lack thereof, it may be broken or even temporarily removed and put aside. Wherefore I have this hope, that we all may become more righteous. Whether that is trying to put the armor back on or for the first time, repairing it, or simply polishing it, we can all do better. It may take time, and will not be easy, but I testify that the blessings of coming closer to God by feeling of His Spirit more abundantly, and having more resistance to the evils and whiles of this world, is well worth the effort.
Love,
Jacobugoth
Previous:
Loins Girt about by Truth Next:
Feet Shod
No comments:
Post a Comment