I can see the picture in my head, and I for sure look ridiculous.

I can imagine others looking at me with all my armor on.

“That looks so restrictive!”

“How do you have any fun with that stuff on?!”

“What are you preparing for? Nobody is coming. It’s not that big of a deal.”

And there sure is a lot going on in order to keep this armor on.

I’m trying to learn truths, share the gospel, keep the Spirit with me, be righteous, and increase my faith.

It’s a lot of work to put that armor on and actively decide to keep it on every single day.

It would be a lot easier to turn my focus to the other things that need to get done in my life. Feed the kids. Work. Have fun.

So why do I choose to put that armor on and keep it on?

Why do I choose to take extra time to increase my faith, work toward salvation, and create a breastplate of righteousness?

Because it’s all more than worth it when the fiery darts of the adversary start to come.

When the tough times all come zooming at me at the same exact time, the time for preparation is gone.

When the health challenges, the huge life decisions, the sorrows, the heartbreaking events, the overwhelming days start piling on…

I’m grateful for the heavy suit of armor I’ve built around myself.

Events that I’ve seen devastate others, feel a lot less painful.

Temptations that seem to pop out of nowhere don’t have the same effect as they used to.

It might all seem a little silly. A bit too much.

Scriptures? Prayer? Church meetings? Family gospel learning? Ministering? Temple service? Tithing?

It can seem so restrictive to an outsider looking in.

But when the fiery darts start to come, as they always always do, boy am I grateful for that excess of spiritual armor.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Restrictive armor first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

In D&C 27:16, the Lord teaches Joseph that the very first step of putting on the armor of God is:

“Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth”.

We need to know the Truth. The essential gospel Truths that have led us to where we are, and will keep us going through the eternities.

But I think that Satan wants us to sometimes forget that we need to also TELL the truth.

Because not telling the truth seems pretty darn tempting sometimes.

Not so much in the “I ate your candy and I’m not going to tell you” kind of way, although sometimes that is a temptation.

But more in the temptation to spin truths or withhold information in a way that keeps the peace.

Like staying quiet even when we feel uncomfortable about a situation.

Saying “great” when someone asks how we are doing.

Or needing so much more help and support, but not saying anything about it.

Being honest and telling the truth in ALL things that we do brings So. Much. Peace.

Asking for what we want.

Telling our spouse when we need more help.

Letting a friend know that we are not okay.

It seems scary.

It seems vulnerable.

But that’s what we really need in order to connect with each other.

To stop pretending like everything is okay, and to live messy, emotion-filled lives with each other, serving everyone we possibly can.

In the Gospel Topics entry on Honesty, we learn:

“When we are honest in every way, we are able to enjoy peace of mind and maintain self-respect.

“We build strength of character, which allows us to be of service to God and others.”

(And as a caveat, I personally don’t believe that “rudeness” under the guise of “honesty” is necessary at all. The truth can always be spoken with love and kindness.)

So how can we open ourselves up to being just a little more honest and truthful with the people around us?

Because bringing peace of mind and peace of the heart is the first step to arming ourselves in the battle against falsehoods from the adversary.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The truth first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.