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MARCH 24-30: All Things Must Be Done In Order
By Lisa | Published | No Comments
Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants 27-28
“Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:15) This passage continues as an echo of Ephesians 6 as we learn further about the armor of God.
Christy Nockels sings about this armor in a sweet lullaby. What a beautiful way to tuck in a child each night, teaching them of their constant protection.
Head to Toe (The Armor of God Song) – Christy Nockels
Years ago the thought came to me that as we are linked together as families we are not linked in a single chain, but are linked in many directions – to siblings at our sides, aunts and uncles before and after, to generations of cousins, and on and on. We in essence are part of a chain maille. So I did some research on maille.
Maille as armor has an advantage of being flexible. With its many surfaces it deflects blows from and to alternate directions as they come. Depending on what kind of metal it’s made from, it may weigh less than steel plates of armor. It was often worn beneath armor plates as additional protection.
Maille begins with metal wire. It is coiled round and round a rod, then snipped into circular ‘links’. The links are linked together, the most common pattern being 4 links to each singular link, or ‘4 in 1’. How they are linked can artistically form many different patterns, but this is the most common.
I bet you can see some problems with this armor. For instance, too much open space where small threats can penetrate. One way to tighten the weave is to connect each link to 6 or 8 or more links.
How many others are you connected to, just by being connected to a small few? For example: How many steps are you to Kevin Bacon? I’m a solid 3, or a soft 2.
But there’s more…..
Family of God – Newsboys
One way to tighten the spaces and strengthen is to ‘double’ each link, or ‘8 in 2’. This is often called a ‘King’s Maille’. To me this looks like a marriage, two together in one purpose. Add as family groups with ’12 in 2′, etc.
A good maille might have extra protection over vital organs, perhaps layers of weave. I can’t dismiss the power of a church connection, being with many others in a common cause with God for protecting each other. Through church I find the best of friends, people I want to emulate and be apart of. A fun thing: in the ‘Family Search’ app we can each turn on the search for ‘Relatives Near Me’; we often find that we are actually related (or ‘linked’) to many of our friends.
But then…..
Church (Take Me Back) – Cochren & Co.
You may have also noticed another weakness in the maille. The ends of each link could be easily pulled apart and broken off. I have an inexpensive coat of maille; links easily fall from the edges and can get lost. Sadder still is broken links within the maille.
Strengthening this weakness is time consuming, a greater investment for a better quality maille. One way is to weld the ends of each link together. This is called ‘sealing the link’ – the links are permanently connected together.
In an effort to seal our links many of us engage in family history. We do ordinances in temples that ‘seal’ us as families. With much effort we strive to find our missing links, to fill in our holes.
Keep on…..
When We Do Family History – Angie Killian
Even then, there is something stronger than a weld. The strongest maille is created when the ends of each link have been riveted, connected with a small brad, or ‘nailed’.
As I first learned these terms of creating maille, I felt chills – recognizing the scarred hands of our Savior who strengthens our flexible, custom-fit armor – to protect our most vulnerable and vital parts, in our communities, in our families. But even more, He’s connecting us into His family. For eternity.
I Stand All Amazed – BYU Vocal Point
I am humbled with the knowledge that He would want me in His family so much that he would pay the ultimate price to link me – with my husband, children, and parents – within this vast family, that goes on and on, covering us in unbreakable, eternal protection.
What Song Caught You?