June 19, 2025, 3:28pm MDT
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul uses the speculative phor of “wearing God’s armor” to explain that he seeks protection from the Lord to withstand the unning strategy of the Devil (see Ephesians 6:10-18).
For missionaries, metaphor means “to resist temptation and learn to be safe, both mentally and physically.”
In his remarks at a 2025 seminar for new mission leaders, Elder Renland discussed the mental and physical protections that arise from “wearing God’s armor.” From “preaching my gospel,” an important part of that armor comes from being immersed in the Book of Mormon, highlighted in “My Gospel Sermon.”
“The teachings found in the Book of Mormon can be spiritually strengthened and protected,” Elder Renland testified.
Safety zone
Elder Renland outlined four “good armor” for missionaries. They are to study and apply:
1. Bible,
2. The words of the living prophet,
3. “Preaching My Gospel” and “Missionary Standards of the Disciples of Jesus Christ,” including the safety measures outlined in Chapter 2,
4. The direction received from the mission leader.
“When missionaries use these armor, they stay within the safety zone,” taught Elder Renland. “When they don’t leave a gap in their armor, they can resist temptation and keep themselves safe.”
Elder Renland then shared when he went outside his safety zone. When he was 16, he and his brother Gary were helping his father, the building contractor, by building a wall made of 2 x 4. The two laid out the walls to see who could nail the most 2 four positions.
One day, the young elder Renland decides to rent an x of his father’s carpenter. This was heavier and longer than the Framer’s hammer, and copied the father’s technique. With decades of experience, his father could drive his nails with just two strokes.
However, with the fourth claw, Elder Renland missed the claw, breaking the tip of his index and the third finger. About two hours later, in considerable pain, he admitted to his father what he had done. Without words, his father gently and carefully delved into the small hole in his nails to relieve the pain. “I have never used a carpenter x as a framing hammer again,” Elder Renland said.
As with his father, it may be that you don’t need words from a mission leader to blame a young, inexperienced missionary for poor choices. However, most missionaries “have to be regularly reminded of their safety zones so that they don’t leave gaps using the armor provided,” Elder Renland told mission leaders.
Protective Blessings of the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is part of the armor that missionaries need, Elder Renland said.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “I promise you to make better decisions every day when you study while praying for the Book of Mormon. I promise that the window of heaven will open, and you will receive your own questions and answers to directions for your own life.
Other blessings promised by church leaders include help of weakness, disappointment and fear. A greater ability to overcome doubt and fear. The ability to resist temptation; the ability to overcome bad habits. Greater ability than staying on a straight, narrow road. Light burden; reduced sensitivity to deception.
“Promise these blessings to your missionaries,” Elder Renland encouraged mission leaders.
In addition to providing protection, studying the Book of Mormon exposes missionaries to their transformational power. “This conversion power is real and it changed my life,” he said.
The apostle also asked the mission leader to teach missionaries to test their Book of Mormon promises and invite others to do the same.
Elder Renlund testified: “The advent of the Book of Mormon is not only a sign that the scattered Israeli gathering has begun, but it is also a tool to expect it to be used for this meeting. Early church members expect that if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, if we do not rely on it, and if we do not rely on it, then the members of the church are not relying on it properly. Effort.”
