Put on the whole armor of God
by Margaret Payne
 

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Scriptures: Ephesians 5-6 
 

Hymns: 298,248,250,259
 

Ask the class for examples of when it is important to do exactly as someone says, for situations where there is a consequence for not following instructions or directions exactly: (driving instructor, hang gliding teacher, gymnastics or ice skating coach at Olympics, commanding officer in the military..). Some consequences have potential to be severe, i.e. death or injury, while some are less consequential, a fall off the balance beam, or a less than perfect performance.
 

Read Eph: 5:1 The footnote for "followers" tells us that it means to be "imitators". Here Paul is speaking to the members of the church and encouraging them to be imitators, or followers of Christ. He tells us in chapter 5 specific ways to follow him, how we are to be like him, and how we are to treat our family and fellowmen. The consequences, of course, are eternal life if we do as he says. Read through verses 1-12, or choose a few to focus on.
 

3. "Let it not be once named among you.": Imagine the strength and power this church would have if not once among us there were any immorality or selfishness. We have a ways to go. 11: Ask class: How do we, when do we, have the "fellowship of darkness". Great footnotes in Ps. 1:1 and Prov.1:10 Reminiscent of last years SM Gen.39:9, when faced with temptation, flee! 15,17: Our responsibility to know what His will is - blessings for coming to seminary! Doing these things will make you followers of Christ.
 

Ask Young Women: What will be your #1 duty as a wife? Young men, your #1 duty as a husband? In Eph. 5:22-25, Paul tells us what Heavenly Father thinks is our #1 duty. Read verses 22-25. These verses may have the potential (at first), to alarm or offend our young women who are raised in a society where everything is supposed to be "equal". No matter what the world teaches, as members of this church we are blessed to have a prophet who receives revelation. The roles of husband and wife are beautifully defined in the Family Proclamation. An excerpt of this is in the student manual, p 136. Additional help may be found if you look at the footnote in 21)a which refers us to "reconciliation" in the topical guide.

Quote: A not to be missed quote in the institute manual p351-352 by Pres. Kimball on how Christ never failed his church and how husbands should treat, never fail their wives. You might use part of it as a glue-in.
 

Ask youth if their #1 duty as a wife or husband has changed after reading these verses.
 

Quote: "To some it may seem old-fashioned to speak of virtue and chastity, honest, morality, faith, character but these are the qualities which have built great men and women and point the way by which one may find happiness... These are the qualities which are the anchors of our lives."  "Stand Ye in Holy Places, Selected Sermons and Writings of Pres. Harold B. Lee, 1976, p3-4:
 

Another possible resource is Lynn S. Lund's tape from symposium last year on "Mother's in Zion". Maybe ten or so minutes into the tape she gives a great definition of a telestial, terrestrial, and a celestial marriage.
 

Ephesians 6 Begins with counsel to children to honor their mother and father. (Who remembers which commandment this is of the original 10 ?) 4) Greek translation of "Fathers" is "parents"; moms are not off the hook!
 

Thanks to Sister Mary Jean James who shared her music and visual aids that go along with this passage. I'm sure many of us will use her ideas. Last time when I covered these verses in D & C. I dressed up a student in children's armor (buy an inexpensive set at Halloween). The class then wrote examples of what are today's "fiery darts" on paper airplanes and shot them at the youth, who of course was unharmed because of her armor. This year I think I'll make a glue-in of the soldier from the manual, and also use the overhead to project a life-size soldier that I'll copy off and will have the youth write on the poster things that are fiery darts today. Hopefully, a reminder in class of the strength and protection we have when wearing God's armor.
 

Also, could have a short discussion on verse 17 - what is the only offensive weapon the soldier has? "Sword of the spirit", which is the word of God, or the scriptures. If the size of our sword is dependent upon how much scripture reading we do, what size would our weapon be? A toothpick or a 3 foot weapon? (adapted from lesson 62, "Is there an Object to your Lesson?, Object Lessons for Teaching the Gospel, by Richard R. Eubank, Granite Pub. 1998)
 

October 1994 New Era, song, "Armor of God", p10-11
 

Quote: "Put on the Whole Armor of God" "Are we studying the scriptures so that we can increase our knowledge and faith and testimony regarding the gospel? Do we keep the commandments? Are we honest and truthful in our dealings? Do we keep the Sabbath holy? Do we observe the Word of Wisdom? Do we pay an honest tithing? Do we attend our meeting and respond to the calls made of us by our authorities? Are we virtuous and clean and pure in heart and mind and deed? Do we fight against the evils around us-pornography, abortion, tobacco, alcohol, drugs? Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions? Can we truly say we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Do we live peaceably with our neighbors and avoid gossip and backbiting and spreading unfounded rumors? Do we truly love our neighbors as ourselves?
 

If we can answer yes to these questions, then we will have on the whole armor of God, which will protect us from harm and preserve us from our enemies. If we must answer no to these questions, then our armor is weak, there is an unshielded place which can be found, a vulnerable area for attack, and we will be subject to injury or destruction by Satan, who will search until he finds our weaknesses, if we have them.
 

Examine you armor. Is there an unguarded place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. No matter how antiquated or lacking in parts your armor may be, always remember that it is within your power to make necessary adjustments to complete your armor. Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments."  -President N. Eldon Tanner, Ensign May 1979.