Armor of God: Loins girt about by truth

Dear Readers,

I have been impressed upon to make an armor of God series. The biggest question for me was: where to start? My first instinct was head to feet. Even now as I write this my mind recalls the Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes song I learned in Primary (Sunday school for children between ages 2 and 11).

However, it has been pointed out to me that the order as set forth in the scriptures has a twofold emphasis. First and most obvious is the scripture contain how the Lord wants the order to go. Second is that the order is similar to how one would actively dawn the armor.

First: loins are girt by truth. This is like putting on one's pants and securing them with a belt.

Second: breastplate of righteousness. For those who don't wear the shirts tucked in, it makes sense that the shirt would go on after pants,

Third: feet sod with preparation. Once you are "dressed" one puts on their shoes so they can walk around.

Fourth: shield of faith. To see clearly and be nimble enough to make sure the straps of the shield are secured on the arm, unobscured vision and a free arm are optimal.

Fifth: helmet of salvation. With one arm secured by a shield, one would need their free arm to place the helm upon their head.

Sixth: sword of the Spirit. Having dawned all of the armor and having one free hand remaining, it clasps and draws the sword, completing the set.

(Ephesians 6:13-17, Doctrine and Covenants 27:15-18)

Now, there are two more that are only found in the account in Isaiah 59: The garments of vengeance and the cloak of zeal. For me, in the King James Version, it is important that there is a semicolon separating these two from the rest of the armor (Isaiah 59:17).

Image Link

For those aware of the anti-suicide trend of getting semicolon tattoos, the semicolon represents an artistic and literary choice. It separates complete thoughts and could be interchanged with a period, but the writer chose not to end, but continue on.

Thus, in the context of this scripture we can see that these two are separate from the rest but the author, or rather the translator or scribe chose to bring these together. As for me, it appears as though Isaiah is talking about the Messiah and distinguishes between the armor that all of us can put on, and the armor Christ has.

Romans 12:19 "Vengeance is mine... saith the Lord..." If the garments of vengeance are His, then it leads that the cloak of zeal is also His. It is interesting though, for garments or clothing would go on before the belt and the cloak or cape after the armor is complete. Thus also hinting that Christ is the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, Alpha and Omega.

Therefore, in concurrence with scripture, I will be saving those for last, separate from the others that we are encouraged to wear.

This brings me to this first article of clothing and armor: Loins girt about by truth.

Gird Up Your Loins Image Link

There is an ancient Israel saying of "gird up your loins". To understand this properly one has to realize how the people dressed back in those days. The clothing of a male in ancient Israel was a robe, similar to a dress, that end a few inches above the ankle. As one would imaging, this style of clothing poses some restrictions in movement. Thus, if there was a hard or strenuous labor to perform, a man would reach down between his legs and grab the back part of the bottom hem. Pulling the fabric up, kind of like a diaper, he would then stuff or fold it into his belt, sash, or girdle. Wherefore, "gird up your loins" signifies preparing to embark in a mighty work.

Duckster's medieval knight armor parts, edited to include "faulds" original Image Link

What better example of mighty work than a life or death battle. In my own mind, usually I think of armor as that of medieval knights, clad in shining armor. Their armor included faulds which are two leaf like sheets of metal that over lap slightly, proving protection primarily to the thighs, but also the groin.

Romans in Britain Image Link

Yet it is more likely that when this armor of God was recounted in Ephesians by Paul, a Roman citizen, that he had the centurions in mind. The roman balteus or belt, has a fibula or buckle to hold them up, and baltea covered in bulla (metal studs) to protect the loins. It also has pugio which are suspension rings to attach a scabbard.

Kult of Athena Image Link

With these parts, the balteus serves to secure the tunic down to the body providing relative modesty and provides armor like protection to a vital vulnerable area as well as support to carry the sword in the scabbard. It is important it is to protect one's groin, not only because of the tenderness of testicles for men, but primarily because of the femoral artery and the external iliac vein. With one of these blood vessels punctured, an individual can bleed out in minutes.

Beyond the practical sense of physical armor, there is the doctrine it alludes to. In the case of this covering, a connection can be drawn to modesty and therefore chastity. With modest attire, we cover our nakedness, which God Himself referenced when he gave Adam and Eve coats of skins (Genesis 3:21). Today, for endowed members of the LDS church, we were a temple garment for a similar reason. It serves as a standard of modesty as well as a reminder of the covenants we made in the temple. Though the garment length has changed in these latter days, from those of long-johns to more knee length, it is important to note that it has not digressed further than the "linen breeches" the sons of Aaron would wear while in the tabernacle of ancient Israel (Exodus 28:42), in order to accommodate the ever changing modern styles.

Some may wonder why modesty is important. From the social aspect, our appearance is often how others judge us. It can also be an expression on how we see ourselves. God wants us to esteem ourselves and our bodies as something worth protecting, worth honoring, and worth sharing only with someone that would treat our bodies with equal amount of care and respect. This is not to say that judging people for how they dress is okay. Usually, the only person that I hold up to my standards is me. One most notable standard I have for myself is that I don't remove my shirt to swim. Of course there are exceptions like employers having standards for their employees, and when choosing friends and a spouse, but generally standards should come from one's own morals for one's own behavior.

Alas, this brings us to the most sexual of the ten commandments: Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). Even though adultery is breaking a marriage covenant by having sexual relations with someone that is not their spouse, it was used synonymously with fornication as more emphasized in the New Testament (Matthew 5:32). With these two terms together, it seemed to cover the bases of refraining from premarital sex (fornication) and keeping faithful to one's spouse after marriage (adultery). Nevertheless, Christ holds us to an even higher standard: refraining from sexual thoughts. For he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28).

I understand that refraining from lustful thoughts is difficult. As a twenty-four year old young man I have had many. Yet there is a blessing in this, for it is far easier to repent of the thought than the action, for more often than not, the act of adultery or fornication can have life changing consequences. Some of which are STD's (sexually transmitted diseases), breaking apart marriages and homes, and even creating a life.

Though homosexual and lesbianic relationships can be based in love, these too violate God's laws as found in Leviticus (18:22). There is a saying that we don't choose who we fall in love with, and that is true. Indeed we are commanded to love all people even as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). What we can choose is our actions, who we physically express that love towards, and in what manner. The church refuses none, including those who struggle with homosexuality from all the blessings God has to offer. Yet it holds to its standards, God's standards, as declared in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, "We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife."

Though it is true that sin is missing the mark, and that God is love, it is incorrect to assume that having love for another human being and expressing it sexually is automatically accepted of Him. The second great commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself (Mark 12:31), in this practicing homosexuals hit the mark and do not sin. Where they do sin is the first great commandment to love God with all their heart, might, mind, and soul (Mark 12:30). For, though they may love God, Christ's words are irrefutable, "if ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Having love and expressing love are very different.

To help expand an explain this law, the Doctrine and Covenants includes "or anything like unto it" while speaking of adultery (Doctrine and Covenants 59:6). Not only are lustful thoughts extensions of this law, but all sexual behavior outside of a legal and lawful marriage between a man and a woman. This is why the plague of pornography is such a terrible blight. It can trigger lustful thoughts and lead to self indulgent actions under the promise of no consequences. The lies of not hurting anyone is far from the truth. Masturbation is abuse of the soul (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "Personal Purity", Teachings of the Presidents:Spencer W. Kimball Chapter 17: The Law of Chastity). The chemicals released in the brain, such as oxytocin, form a bond or connection, and when an individual is connected to something not real in such a powerful way, it leaves sadness, emptiness and un-fulfillment. Also, the exposure to intimate parts of strangers cheapens the experience of sexual intimacy with one's soul mate. It can lead to unrealistic expectations and a constant comparison that can lead the way to darkness and loneliness.

For this cause, we have a document called, For the Strength of Youth which addresses modesty and sexual purity including the standards and advice of: "Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is... When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act. Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval." (Dress and Appearance). "Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife... Treat others with respect, not as objects used to satisfy lustful and selfish desires. Before marriage, do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person's body, with or without clothing." (Sexual Purity).

Not only is simply lying upon the body of another person part of chastity, but there are other intimacies other than sexual that should be reserved to spouses and families. As a missionary, there were a few times that it was difficult explaining to an unmarried couple that they either have to get married or live separately before they can get baptized. Of course there is the clear reason that cohabitation is a violation of the law of chastity because they are living together they have increased opportunities to fornicate (Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Love and Law"). However, the argument is also clear that as two adults, it doesn't matter where they live, if they want to have sex they can find a way. This lead me to ponder and soul search in prayer to discover why this standard is in place. It seems as though there are intimacies and intimate circumstancing that occurs within the walls of a home that God reserves for married couples and rearing a family.

I know of an individual that once said that the standards of the church are too strict, that all kids and young adults masturbate and experiment sexually, and by requiring abstinence and sexual purity the church places them into a position where it is most beneficial to lie. The truth is that it is insulting and disrespectful to say that we as human beings cannot control our sexual urges, whether as youth or as adults.

However, there is a valid argument hidden within this bleak view of humanity. There are few sins that God has labeled in degrees of abhorrence and unforgivably. They are: adultery, murder, and denying the Holy Ghost. The obvious reason is that adultery can lead to the creation of a life, something that cannot be undone with committing a worse sin of murder and can be incredibly emotional and taxing during the repentance process either giving up the child or raising it as a couple or alone as a single parent. The more concealed reason includes the many other ways the sin is committed. Lies and deceit follow this sin like flies on a corpse. Peace of mind is lost, always wondering when and where secrets will be discovered. It includes spending time and hard earned money on pornography and prostitutes. It includes the violence of rape.

In essence, yes, sexual sins place individuals in a position to lie, but if they have committed such sins, telling the truth is the only way to heal, to work on and fully repent of the sin. Indeed, truth is the way to set them free.

No wonder God has said that we need to have our loins girt about by truth. As with the roman balteus, truth protects us from the effects of sexual sins. It is has to be tailored to each individual, for the standards of sexual purity, modesty, and abstinence have to be yours otherwise there are a plethora of ways to be sorely smitten. Then, greatest of all, it is required to hold and house the sword of the Spirit. I am not saying that it is required to use or feel the Holy Ghost, but having a clean and worthy vesicle to house the Spirit of God is the only way for the power of God to be fully and completely flowing and unhindered in your life.

Alas, there is one last question to ask: what is truth?

Eternal truth, God's truth, things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24). This is the truth that is relevant. This is the truth that sets you free. Actions committed, thoughts indulged, and all the wonderful doctrines, laws and miracles of God.

Truth has also been compared to light. As with Elder Bednar's (A member of the quantum of the twelve apostles) videos on Patterns of Light, revelation can come like light and warmth. Intelligence, or the light of truth, cannot be created or made (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29). As illustrated in cartoons, a light-bulb over an individual's head represents their getting a good, or "bright" idea. I have felt this feeling before. It is pleasant and exciting. It is a moment of pure revelation. Truths and ideas flowing into one's mind like flicking a switch. It doesn't happen often, indeed usually knowledge and wisdom is gained gradually, from experimenting, and repeated confirmations from the Spirit of God with our spirits. Some things it takes years to learn, others lifetimes. And yet, truth is still truth.

Too often, people rely on their own subjective truth. Moral relativism is one of the largest growing fads. Though I am intrigued by the "truths" of different religions, of political views, philosophies and of lifestyles; I have seen that there are real, pure and undeniable truths out there. In my darkest of times, I have felt so alone. In the physical world around me, I was alone. In my heart and mind, I was alone. And yet, I knew there is an irrevocable truth, there is a God. With this truth it brings a new meaning to my cries alone in the dark, "Where are you?! Why am I so alone?! Why can't I feel you there?!" It's not because He wasn't there. It's not because He doesn't love me.

It is because there is something, whether circumstances, sins, or our mortal inability comprehend the greatness of God, that remains, separating us from Him and His presence. In Mormon talk we call this the spiritual death, which only through Jesus Christ, partaking of the grace and mercy of His atonement through repentance, that we can be saved from this second death.which death is the death of the spirit, being cut off from God and is an effect of The Fall as is the first death, mortal death, the death of the body.

I hope that you can see, as I do, that having our loins girt about by truth is being clean, being honest and pure, so we can be the warriors of God, even if we cannot feel Him there, we can know He is there and that He loves us.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Next: Breastplate of Righteousness

Facebook Request 3: The Glory of God is Intelligence

Dear Readers,

Because it has been requested on Facebook, by my wonderful Step-Mother Laina, I am please to post about The Glory of God is Intelligence.

This is a very deep subject of the gospel and I will endeavor to try explain it in such a way as those who read this may understand. It was John Taylor who said, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject which is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child could understand it." (Journal of Discourses v 5 pg 260)

First of all, what is "intelligence"? Usually we think of how smart we are, whether book smarts from schooling, or "street smarts" or common sense from practical life experience. This is where, I feel, that worldly doctrine and confused intelligence with knowledge and wisdom. The clearest example that I know is with the saying, "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad." I would argue and these are just aspects of intelligence, but not really what it is, or what it means to be intelligent.


God defines "intelligence" in Doctrine and Covenants 93:29-30 "... Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. 30. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also, otherwise there is no existence." Intelligence is the light of truth. Not only that, but intelligence is sentient, alive, conscious, "to act for itself". I believe it was Socrates who said "Cogito, Egro Sum", "I think, therefore I am". Intelligence is the ability to think, not just something in our brains, but literally life in the most basic of all its forms.

Some people may say, "Where is the proof of that?". Well I say, let is try and experiment. As will all truth, you can experiment upon it and get an answer, if you are open to receive it. It was explained to me like this... (WARNING don't try until you finish reading the instructions, because the first one is close your eyes, and it is hard to read with your eyes closed.) INSTRUCTIONS {Close you eyes, and find your little "I Am". Wiggle your toes, is that above or below "you". What about your chest, your breathing, is that above or below you? Now touch your chin. What about your ears, are the above, below, or to the sides? Continue for your nose, eyes, back and top of your head, even your forehead.}Your little "I Am" is inside of your head. Inside of your brain.

So, with my limited knowledge about human anatomy, I would like to point out that it is not a coincidence that your little "I Am" or intelligence is about where the main nerve group is in the brain. Sorry, I do not know what it is called, yet it is my theory that either that part of the brain, or the brain matter itself is what communicates with our spirit. Thus it would make sense to me that our "I Am" would be located right there. Also, if while doing the experiment, you ran you finger down you forehead, you would find that right between your eyes is in front of "you". This, I wonder, is why so many people think of the "third eye" though that is traditionally located in the middle of the forehead.

Here is something fun, not only is intelligence life, but it is visibly seen as light. Like to old sayings about the light going out in your eyes. Though, it is not just any light, like sunlight or from a light bulb, it is the light of truth. Truth, not lies, not falsehoods, but truth is literally alive.

I like the subtle theme from "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" that truth is strength. Which makes me wonder, if we are told to "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3) because the truth sets us free and is a kind of food for our spirits, what if that is more literal than we give it credit for. I mean God's light of truth fills the "immensity of space"  and gives "life to all things" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:12-13), what if, like sunlight is ultimately what feeds our physical bodies through the food chain, if God's light, if intelligence, is what feeds our spiritual bodies.

Again, something else fun, the scriptures say that we can gain intelligence, by gaining truth. In Daniel 11:30 Daniel sees a vision of several kings and of one he said "...so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant." Basically, that king will try to convince those who did "forsake the holy covenant" and show them the error of their ways with truth. Then in the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith which can be found in the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith said "... Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and receive instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews..."

When we learn truth, I mean really learn, almost absorb it, then we gain and increase in intelligence. Doctrine and Covenants 88:40 "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light;..." This is why some people love learning, and if you are taught truth, and taught it correctly, then it is good, you enjoy it. The very truth itself "cleaveth" or holds to, leans upon more truth, building like a snowball rolling down a hill, which sadly, living in Arizona, I have not actually seen.

Then God gives us a kind of promise in Doctrine and Covenants 130:18 "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." As we learn truth, whether knowledge or wisdom, that remains with us in the next life. Literally growing our life.

So if this is what "intelligence" is, where did it come from? Doctrine and Covenants 93:29 explains it quite well. "29. Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be." Yes I know I have used this scripture already, but it is a good one. Light of truth, or intelligence, cannot be created or made. You cannot create a false truth, nor can you create that intelligence that is life.

Now some may argue, but we create life all of the time, through procreation. That is not entirely true. To explain this, I will now talk about what intelligence does. We know that it acts, but what does it do?

 Abraham 3:21-23 "21. I dwell in the midst of them all; I now, therefore, have come down unto thee to declare unto thee the works which my hands have made, wherein my wisdom excelleth them all, for I rule in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, in all wisdom and prudence, over all the intelligences thine eyes have seen from the beginning; I came down in the beginning in the midst of all the intelligences thou has seen. 22. Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; 23. And God saw these souls they they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou was born."

I would like to point out some key words here, especially in verse 23. "Souls" in Doctrine and Covenants 88:15 "And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.". Abraham was shown the pre-mortal life, before we received bodies, and yet God "saw these souls". He saw their potential and what they were meant to be and become, "for [H]e stood among those that were spirits". Now what are "spirits"?


Doctrine and Covenants 131:7-8 "7. There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; 8. We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter." So, essentially, our spirits are bodies for our intelligence.

Here comes that deep doctrine I was talking about. In Journal of Discourses volume 7 page 2-3 Brigham Young, the second Prophet of this dispensation, said "If people understood true philosophy—eternal philosophy, they would understand that there is an eternity of matter. Astronomers estimate that there is between us and the nearest fixed star matter enough from which to organize millions of earths like this. There is an eternity of matter, and it is all acted upon and filled with a portion of divinity. Matter is to exist; it cannot be annihilated. Eternity is without bounds, and is filled with matter; and there is no such place as empty space. And matter is capacitated to receive intelligence. If we could so understand true philosophy as to understand our own creation, and what it is for - what design and intent the Supreme Ruler had in organizing matter and bringing it forth in the capacity that I behold you here today, we could comprehend that matter cannot be destroyed-that it is subject to organization and disorganization; and could understand that matter can be organized and brought forth into intelligence, and to possess more intelligence, and to continue to increase in that intelligence; and could learn those principles that organized matter into animals, vegetables, and into intelligent beings; and could discern the Divinity acting, operating, and diffusing principles into matter to produce intelligent beings, and to exalt them-to what? Happiness. will nothing short of that fully satisfy the spirits implanted within us? No.
You can daily observe the operations of the spirits of men in the streets of this city. There you can now see the world exhibited as it is. You can see people hurrying from the east to the west, from the west to the east, from the north to the south, and from the south to the north. Have they any object in view? Ask the traveler whether he has; ask the bystander whether there is an object in his mind. Whether I stand or walk, whether I labor or rest, lie down or rise up, in all my acts in life there is an object. I have something in view, you have something in view, and so has the whole human family, as also all intelligence of every grade."

So, firstly matter is "capacitated" or has the capacity or ability to receive or store intelligence, and the deepest, most motivating aspect of these intelligences is the need to be happy. That is what all life seeks, to be happy. Now, from what we have learned thus far, spirit is matter, and that matter can hold intelligence, but the physical elements are also matter, and also have spirit matter with them. That is why (see Creation post) God formed all things spiritually before they were physically there. 

God has created, or organized all things, but why so many different ones. Firstly Abraham 3:19 "And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all."Therefore some intelligences are more intelligent than others, and God knew which ones were most like Him, thus created them in His image, and others He placed in different lesser orders, stages, or spheres.

2 Nephi 2:14 "And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon." This is what we might call God science. God speaks to the spirit, to the intelligence of the the elements, those things which are made to be acted upon, and because He is God, their creator, their liberator, and so they listen and obey. For it is taught in the temple that when the earth was being created physically, it was waited upon to see if it would obey.

Also, 2 Esdras 6:41 of the Old Testament Apocrypha "41.Upon the second day thou madest the spirit of the firmament, and commandedst it to part asunder, and to make a division betwixt the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath." 

Even so, that is how miracles are performed, whether Moses calling forth the plagues upon Egypt, or Jesus healing all manner of sicknesses, walking on water, or turning water into wine. Even when healings and other miracles are performed today, it is by God's power, or His authority, his Priesthood that such things are done. By His say so, and that is because of His honor. In Doctrine and Covenants 29:36 we read that the main reason why Lucifer fell was because he wanted God's power, or in other words, he wanted the honor and glory for himself, for performing the atonement. 

So, God's power, is His honor, but why is honor power? Because God always keeps His promises, and He has promised that as long as we obey Him, we will be saved, or in other words, resurrected with a perfect body, and that our bodies, spirits, and intelligences will no longer be subject to separation. This is not only true for us, His children, but also for the animals, for the trees, even the earth itself. 10th article of faith, "...that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisical glory." Even in Doctrine and Covenants 88:19-20, 130:9 it says that the earth will be crowned with glory, and become immortal.

Doctrine and Covenants 93;33 "For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy;" This is why the earth and all of the animals obey God, because He has promised a "fullness of joy", and He keeps His promises. This is why God has said, "...this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."(Moses 1:39) because God's glory, God's power, God's honor, all comes from our happiness, and we can only be truly happy if we receive eternal life!

I hope that you learned from and understood this post about why the Glory of God is Intelligence.(Doctrine and Covenants 93:36) If you have any questions or comments, please post them. I really want to know what you think, and if I was able to explain this doctrine accurately. For personal research, I was introduced to this doctrine by listening to a talk by W. Cleon Skousen "Meaning of the Atonement". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHan3Y8BxGs

Love,
Jacobugoth