After these things the Word of the YHVH came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” —Genesis 15:1

In the scriptures we are taught to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Many of us cannot help but think of medieval knights when we read Paul’s words. One part of this armor is the Shield of Faith. This is not a metaphorical shield, but a literal shield, a spiritual tool available to use through the power of God; the priesthood. Everyone naturally has a shield. If we eat right, exercise, and sleep well it will be naturally stronger. However, it will not protect us from priestcraft and “all the fiery darts of the wicked” unless we learn to use it properly (Ephesians 6:16).

Wearing the Shield

Stand, therefore… taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” —Doctrines of the Saints Appendix 2:14

Wearing this shield feels less like a wall and more like a warm safe fire. It makes it easier to read people as this shield is a part of my energy connected to the Holy Spirit. Being conscious of this energy through meditation and practice, one can keep out or let in what they like. When it is on, I feel like I am more aware and in control, more focused.

Let’s go over making a shield. But first, we should point out that a shield is for stopping negative energy, not bullets. That said, when bullied in Middle School, having a shield was a real protection that helped me to stick up for myself and not let others get me down. We use meditation to create and strengthen our shields. One will grow to control their shield over time, and as our faith grows—our relationship with God deepens, strengthens—one’s shield naturally grows much stronger. Through meditation we can learned to shape and control it, tighter against self, family, and friends, and tighter to protect; or looser around one’s self to “feel” things out better. Our shields grant us greater perception of our surroundings.

To focus the Shield of Faith, go into a simple meditation and ground and center your energy; this is very important. Picture an oval, egg shape, around you to give your shield shape and distance. Once done, push the shield out from your center to the imaginary bubble you’ve create. Next, send out the flame of Gevurah, merging you energy with the fire of the Holy Spirit, pushing the energy from the inside out to clear yourself, others, and space area you are in. If you’re not exactly sure what we’re referring to, think back to the fire felt in meditation. This is what we are pushing out. Think of it as a clean, white flame. From there, reach out with the energy in your shield to find things or feel things out.

Shields and Ethics

That which ye do send out shall return unto you again.” —Alma 19:80 [41:15]

This bubble shield is the most basic type of shielding. If one need picture it in their mind, think of a blue and white energy ball. But, this is not the only type. There are conversion or transference shields that will let one change the negative energy into something useful. There are also mirror shields that let one reflect back negative energy. To use a mirror shield, simply picture your shield as shiny and reflective. Rather than just keeping negative energy away, it will reflect it back to the sender. If there is no sender, it will just shoot out from where it is – having nowhere to go back to. This type, however, comes with a number of ethical questions.

Ethics can be seen a hard topic as every situation changes the question. It can also be seen as simply as love God, love your neighbor. Sending negative energy back at someone has its risks, all must face justice. If someone or something is throwing priestcraft using a mirror shield It may stop them, but it may harm someone else unintentionally. One may argue that, ethically, someone else threw the priestcraft and they are the ones deserving justice. But this doesn’t help if that negative energy harms someone you know and care about.

In Translation

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” —Romans 12:2

A more positive solution is what is called transference. The conversion or transference shield won’t stop anyone or anything from throwing negative energy around, but it is better to turn the energy into something else—something good. Remember, we have been born again in Chesed—Christ’s mercy. This allows us to trans-late, alter, or change the nature of the energy, as all energy comes from God. Using the power of God we may transform negative energy back to positive, dividing the light from the darkness.

To use transference, simply grab the negative energy in the outside of your shield, like a net. I find it helps at first to imagine the 33 shield as being sticky. Push the negative energy to your grounded energy—do NOT let it get through your shield—and focus on channeling your grounded energy, effectively shoving the negative energy down into the earth where it will be recycled. It is the Holy Spirit doing the real heavy lifting, as the fire of Gevurah purges the energy, and the Grace of Chrsit transforms it.

While the mirror shield is a weapon, and should be treated as such, the transference shield is a peace-maker. We should remember that most negative energy is thrown unknowingly. Some exists due to attitudes or events. There is a common expression: some people give off “bad vibes.” That doesn’t mean they are “sorcerers” using priestcraft out to get people. They may just be going through a rough time and are unknowingly send out negative energy. It is our role as disciples and ministers of Christ to mourn with those that mourn and help them through these types of situations.

In Practice

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded; for I know that the Lord giveth no com-mandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” —1 Nephi 1:65 [3:7]

Generally, one use the bubble shield first. Once we get an understanding of what is going on, we can switch to transmutation shield if appropriate; one shouldn’t take energy if we don’t know where it is coming from. The mirror shield is then an option if one needs to merely send the negative energy away. If after as-sessing the situation it is seen that a peacemaker is needed, heed the call of God and convert the negative to positive energy, allowing our positive energy to overwhelm the negative in the light of Christ, like making like.

One may, as moved by the Holy Spirit, use appropriate names of God, mudras, stones, or other tools as needed. If, for example, one of my kids has had nightmares, they will use a black obsidian stone and a warding mudra in their meditations and shielding to great positive affect. I highly recommend learning to use mudras, mantras, and other tools once having the basics down.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” —Ephesians 6:16

Recapping

• Magic (God’s power working through us) comes from inside of us
• To control magic (the power of God), one must control one’s self
• To control what goes on inside of us we must practice and take the time to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit

Meditation may sound boring but it works. If one is doing it correctly it shouldn’t be boring because it is a spiritual conversation. We talk to our god, then we listen. That’s meditation. Pay attention and you’ll see the magic of God’s miracles working in your life. As we truly live our religion, we will find we become more and more in tune with the spiritual or magical world than even we realize as we grow in Grace.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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 6:11-18

Assignment 6: Mormon Meditation Continued

In more than 300 words, describe your experiences meditating for 7 days, preferably in a row. How long did you mediate? Were you able to move your energy, create a shield? Did you notice a change in yourself throughout the week as you meditated?

Please send your written assignment to David Ferriman: dferriman@cjccf.org