With his now-famous imagery involving an armor-clad man, the Apostle Paul urged the saints in Ephesus, among other things, to put on "the breastplate of righteousness" in order that they "may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (see Ephesians 6:13-14).

If the term "evil day" was appropriate in the time of Paul, it surely has application today, when the destructive forces of Satan are obvious on a global scale. A moment's thoughtful reflection is all that is necessary to comprehend the verity of Paul's words.

In describing the peril of the last days, the Lord forewarned us in a revelation given in 1831 that "the saints also shall hardly escape" (Doctrine and Covenants 63:34), suggesting that in the days preceding the Second Coming, even the upright and godly will not altogether be spared the adverse conditions that prevail. Nevertheless, in that same verse, the Lord promises the righteous that He is with them.

The Book of Job provides for us a dramatic example of one who was afflicted with adversity despite a high degree of personal righteousness. Job, we read, "was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil." Yet in the course of a short time, he lost nearly everything — posterity, material wealth and physical well-being. Even his friends unjustly accused him of wrongdoing (see Job 1-2).

This scriptural account presents a contrast between the ways in which different people react to unexpected and undeserved adversity. We have the fatalistic remark from his wife: "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God and die" (Job 2:9) contrasted with Job's steadfast declaration, "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) and later, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though, after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:25-26).

There are many examples in latter days of those who have remained faithful while enduring unthinkable hardships, faithful saints who, like Job, draw upon the Redeemer for solace and healing rather than succumbing to the urge to "curse God and die." What made the difference in their behavior? Surely it is that they had put on the breastplate of righteousness and thereby shielded their vital inward parts against the blows and thrusts which, in mortality, must inevitably come to everyone at some time or other in one form or another. Alluding to the passage in Job, the Lord said in this dispensation: "My disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die" (Doctrine and Covenants 45:32).

To the extent that personal righteousness prevents or assuages pain, it is powerful medicine against the various forms of maladies that beset us in our day. It makes our souls more amenable to the influence of the Holy Spirit, thus promoting the development of a strong testimony and motivation to repentance. Thus fortified, at times of trial, we can declare, with Job, "I know that my Redeemer liveth!" and govern our behavior accordingly. Truly, righteousness is a protective breastplate.

How can we don this armor? By striving to obey the commandments of God in every instance; by humbly and prayerfully receiving and heeding the counsel of His inspired servants rather than quibbling over or resisting their words.

And, in retrospect we can feel gratitude for having avoided suffering through each righteous choice of the past. Such a realization should gladden our hearts, for in this dispensation, the Lord has said: "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).