Doug Tales 117: Spiritual Shielding, Part One

Would a warrior or soldier consider going into battle without protective armor or shielding? Don’t football, hockey and other sports players wear all kinds of protective gear? To conquer spiritual evil requires defensive and offensive weapons, tools and shields, the whole armor of God.

One of the longest chapters in Doug Mendenhall’s main work, Conquering Spiritual Evil, Volume One (2012), is “Spiritual Shielding,” (chapter 8) pp. 73-89, and it is followed by “Emotions, Shields and Fiery Darts” (chapter 9), pp. 90-104. Chapter 8 begins with scriptures, quotes by Brigham Young, and a hymn on pages 73-74:

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Brigham Young said: “You may now see people with legions of evil spirits in and around them; there are men who walk our streets that have more than a hundred devils in them and round about them, prompting them to all manner of evil, and some too that profess to be Latter Day Saints, and if you were to take the devils out of them and from about them, you would leave them dead corpses; for I believe there would be nothing left of them.” (Journal of Discourses 3:369)

Brigham Young warned the saints that their sojourn on the earth is a continuation of the war commenced in heaven, and constant vigilance is demanded. He said “this probation (is) a continual warfare.”

There are many ways the Lord has given us to combat spiritual evil. One of the most effective ways the Lord has given us for protection that not many people seem to know about is the “spiritual shield” which is Him. “Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.” (Psalms 33:20) As we become like Him, we have a natural shield against spiritual evil. As we gain or increase in His Light, evil has less influence over us. By obeying His commandments, we increase in that Light until the perfect day when we become like Him. “He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.” (D&C 20:22)

Individuals that do “energy work” know what shields are, but some don’t relate shields to Christ or say that He is our shield. Most of them will tell you to imagine putting a shield of light or a bubble around yourself or something to that effect. Since all things are to be done in the name of Jesus Christ, in our family we pray to our Father in Heaven for spiritual shields to surround us in the name of Jesus Christ. In our family and personal prayers we ask for shields to be around us for protection. Many times during the day I will also ask for them or ask that they be reinforced or strengthened, always in His name.

In our church we even sing a song about putting up shields through prayer.

“Ere you left your room this morning,

Did you think to pray?

In the name of Christ, our Savior,

Did you sue for loving favor

As a shield today?” (LDS Hymns #140)