The gospel is as deep as life is.  It is possible to construct a gospel of manliness that is full and rich.  It would hit multiple notes.  For a taste read one of our all-time best posts, the Military Mental Model of Mormonism.  But that manly gospel would be only one cross-section of the gospel. Ours is a faith for all seasons and every kindred, tongue, and people.

One of the advantages of Mormonism–diminishing, perhaps, as the world erodes away at us–is our lack of aversion to manhood.  We aren’t steroided caricatures who are trying to ape manhood.  We simply accept manhood.  Look at the talks for the Priesthood session of the April 1979 General Conference, which I was recently reviewing.  Elder Monson, as he was then–The Army of the Lord.  President Tanner–Put on the Whole Armor of God.

Here’s President Monson:

Behold! a royal army,

With banner, sword and shield,

Is marching forth to conquer,

On life’s great battlefield;

Its ranks are filled with soldiers,

United, bold and strong,

Who follow their Commander,

And sing their joyful song:

Victory, victory,

Through him that redeemed us!

Victory, victory,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The priesthood represents a mighty army of righteousness—even a royal army. We are led by a prophet of God. In supreme command is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our marching orders are clear. They are concise. Matthew describes our challenge in these words from the Master: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world

Here is President Tanner

We are all enlisted till the conflict is o’er. …

Soldiers in the army, there’s a bright crown in store;

We shall win and wear it by and by.

Haste to the battle, quick to the field,

Truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield.

Stand by our colors—proudly they wave. …

Hark! ’tis our Captain calls you today;

Lose not a moment, make no delay!

Fight for our Savior, come, come away! …

Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe. …

Glad to join the army, we will sing as we go;

We shall gain the victory by and by.

Dangers may gather—why should we fear?

Jesus, our Leader, ever is near.

He will protect us, comfort and cheer.

The text of my address is from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians:

“Put on the whole armour 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. …

“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 . . .

We are fortunate in our hymns and in our leaders. 

Our boys are failing across the West because our national and civilizational leaders are corrupt mouthpieces for the Great and Spacious Building.  They reject the manhood that God created and replace its real strength, daring, and vision with fake substitutes that we are all supposed to celebrate and reassure each other are just as good as the real thing.  I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter!  I am grateful the Lord’s Kingdom offers something more.  I am proud that our little blog here does its part.