Some Sweet Talking Girl

What is Protective Body Armor?

 Last weekend was Youth Conference and one of our speakers was a retired Swat/Metro Officer.  He brought all of his gear (including his AR & protective body armor) and put it on while explaining the importance and purpose of each individual item.  It was very cool.   He shared accounts when he was put into various dangerous situations, but one where he had not worn his elbow pads because the mission was to be tactical ground support while another team go inside-BUT- it did not go as planned, they needed additional manpower so his team was called in.  On his way in his elbow caught on a piece of metal (part of the door that had been blown out) but had to continue to push forward ripping through his elbow.   He spoke about the realization at the time this elbow hit and realizing he was not wearing a portion of his gear. The scar he has is a reminder to him how important it is to wear every piece of your protective body armor every time they got called out.  

I did not hear his talk but the youth sure did so they shared with me their thoughts and how it impacted them.  He referenced his protective body armor with keeping the standards and staying virtuous and all it takes is not being diligent one time to hurt you spiritually and or physically.  

As my mind has been twirling with the the theme James 1:5-6, protective body armor and spiritual whirlwinds, my mind began to remember all the ways we can put on our own protective body armor.

These are some of the things we will be concentrating on during the year as to help our youth find answers to their questions and put on their own protective body armor.

• Power of Prayer-  “nothing can take the place of prayer… let no day pass without it.  Communion with the almighty has been a source of strength, inspiration, and enlightenment through the world’s history to men and women who have shaped the destinies of individuals and nations for good” President Benson. 
• The Temple – “They will be armed with righteousness and endowed with the power of God in great measure” “power associated with the ordinances of Heaven” “which can and will thwart the forces of evil ” “Increased temple attendance leads to increased personal revelation” “Prayers are answered, revelation occurs, and instruction by the spirit takes place in the holy temples of the Lord”-Pres Benson  https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-13-priceless-blessings-of-the-house-of-the-lord?lang=eng
• The Book of Mormon – “there is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives…. You will find greater power to resist temptation, you will find the power to avoid deception, you will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.” President Benson (teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 54)
• Atonement- I know there are many parts of the Atonement but for this I will only talk about 1- the Strengthening and enabling power “(Grace is) a word that….. The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ”  Elder Bednar continues to say “Grace is the divine assistance or heavenly help each of us desperately needs” and goes on to give the account of Nephi when his brothers bound him with cords. He says  “And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement” (The Atonement and the journey of mortality)

I love Elder Neil L Anderson’s Talk Spiritual Whirlwinds, he says “Not all whirlwinds in life are of your own making.  Some come because of the wrong choices of others, and some come just because this is mortality”.  

 Putting on our Protective body armor every day every time is extremely important.  I know not every ward or stake has access to people such as our SWAT guy – but dig a little, you can use the same analogy with a firefighter, A member of the military, or a police officer- really anyone who has to put on protective gear to remain safe.   

I add my testimony that as we use our protective body armor we will have the equipment  to handle this battle we are fighting here on earth- We will be armed with power and strength beyond our own.