"...having on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16)

Having done my mammogram the other day I am full of thoughts about the power and righteous influence women have been given through our blessed chests. I nursed four children, and lost a size or two, but would gladly do it all over again. Nursing was one of my favorite aspects of when my children were infants. For me, nursing was a time for giving, relaxing, renewing my children's nourishment, a time to learn, a time to love and cuddle. I nursed longer and longer with each child. What I don't miss is the horrible pain that came when I very first started nursing a child (not going to lie-it hurt like crazy! then I built up callouses and the pain went away), pain of engorgement or even the once in a while infection that I seemed prone to get; let alone the angry glances of men and women who took offense to breast feeding my child in public even though they could see nothing but a blanket and perhaps a foot or my child's waving hand. Oh, the power of the chest of a righteous and virtuous woman.

The Apostle Paul taught the Ephesians to put "on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14), and the Lord also has given us the same counsel, in our day, to put on the same armor (see D&C 27:16). A breastplate covers the breast, the heart, the lungs, ribs, stomach, and many more vital organs. But, there are two organs in particular that after having had my mammogram made me think of the value of being a woman. The two organs are the heart and the breast, both of which are symbols for charity.

I learned years ago that a nursing woman is a symbol for charity. What an incredible gift a woman gives to her children, life. Now, this is not about whether or not you nursed your children. This is about the symbol that comes with just being a woman, that symbol being charity. We are all mothers even before we have children (see my post here), yet our bodies are symbols of what is innately within us when we are pure. Joseph Smith admonished at one of the first Relief Society meetings: "You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!- if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates....If you will be pure, nothing can hinder" (Daughters in My Kingdom, pg 169). To God, we are nurturer's; thus we feed the hungry, share, give life to others of His children, we teach, we create an environment for others to thrive. The world would often have us viewed as "objects", toys with which to be played, or even ignore those wonderful gifts given to women and act like men. Now, I must say, that it is fun to play with my husband and him with me...but to him, I am more than just a toy or an object, and I am most definitely feminine in his eyes; which makes charity all that much more symbolic and powerful when you put the husband and wife into the equation.

As daughters of God, and sisters in Relief Society, the largest and divinely inspired organization for women (learn more about it here and here) we are "taught to live up to [our] divine potential by fulfilling God's purposes for [us]. As [we] come to understand who [we] really are- God's daughters, with an innate capacity to love and nurture- [we] reach our potential as holy women. With charity in [our] hearts, [we] fulfill the purposes of Relief Society: to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need" (Daughters in My Kingdom, pg. 170). Notice that the first item is faith and personal righteousness. When I was nursing I would keep a large jug of water by my chair and carry it around with me. I would drink it all gone to replenish myself first, before I fed my child. We must, as women who give, and serve and care for others, "eat and drink of the bread and waters of life freely" (Alma 5:34) for ourselves first, and then we will be filled and can have more than enough to help others.

At times, there will be moments, or days, or perhaps even months or years of healing, and we will need to receive rather than give. And Christ says: "[She] that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and [she] that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. And this is my gospel- repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom" (D&C 39:5-6). When we receive Christ, we are receiving His Atonement which heals us. Even though our bodies need time to heal after having a child, we also give while we nurse as we heal from labor and delivery. This same principle of charity applies in other aspects of our lives. We are healed through Christ as we serve others in small and simple ways. Through this healing and giving we are being taught "the peaceable things of the kingdom".

With the motto for Relief Society being: "Charity Never Faileth" (see Moro. 7:46; Daughters in My Kingdom), think of a nursing woman whose milk never fails as she continually nurses. When a woman gives of her time and of herself her milk supply is naturally replenished and there is more and more to give. "Charity is the pure love of Christ and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him" (Moroni 7:47). This is the power given to righteous and virtuous women that is "planted in [our] bosoms".

Men aren't exempt from nursing. At least not in the scriptures. "And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers" (Isaiah 49:23). Men and women who have gone through the Holy Temples of the Lord and made sacred covenants are ordained to become queens and kings if we keep those covenants. Part of that responsibility is to nurse others by sharing with them the bread and water of the gospel. Young men who hold the priesthood have the humble and great responsibility to help nurse mankind by being missionaries: "...The Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders" (1 Nephi 22:8 (1-9)).

The wearing of the breastplate of righteousness applies to all men and women who desire to come unto Christ. I use the same words as the prophet Moroni: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren [and sisters], pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see hims as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen" (Moroni 7:48).

What more can I say? Go and get your spiritual mammogram..."having on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16) which, for me, is charity, the pure love of Christ.