The Armor of Preparation | Prepare to Lead, Prepare to Win

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Welcome back to The Grounded Leader Podcast. I’m Kevin Stanfill, and today we’re launching a powerful new series called The Armor of Preparation. This series is inspired by the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 38:30: “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

Today’s episode is called Prepare to Lead, Prepare to Win. We’ll be diving into what it means to be a leader who is prepared, both spiritually and temporally, and how preparation not only equips us for success but helps us stand firm in the face of adversity.

Preparation is a Shield

Preparation is not just about logistics; it’s a form of spiritual armor. In Doctrine & Covenants 87:8, the Lord gives us a blueprint for spiritual and temporal readiness: “Stand ye in holy places and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come.” This commandment is about more than just physical spaces—it’s about anchoring yourself spiritually so that no matter what chaos or adversity surrounds you, your foundation remains unshaken.

For leaders, this principle is invaluable. Leadership is not about being immune to challenges, but about being unshaken in the face of them. How do you stand in a “holy place” as a leader? It begins with establishing routines and practices that ground you daily in your mission and values. This might include:

• Daily scripture study and prayer to seek divine guidance and protection.
• Temple worship as a way to regularly renew and fortify your spiritual strength.
• Personal reflection on how you're aligning your actions with God’s will for your life.

Just as the Israelites were called to take Canaan through reliance on both their preparation and God’s power, we too are called to lead our families, communities, and even nations by first standing on the firm foundation of faith.

Mental and Spiritual Preparation—An Action Plan

What does mental and spiritual preparation look like in practical terms? Leaders don’t just react to challenges; they anticipate them.

Here are a few steps you can take to prepare both mentally and spiritually to lead:

1. Call upon the Lord for guidance daily. Doctrine & Covenants 38:30 also teaches us the importance of calling upon the Lord for help. As a leader, do you seek His will before making decisions? Before you step into any leadership challenge, take time to ask for His direction and wisdom. Create space for revelation by carving out quiet, focused time for prayer and study.
2. Build resilience through mental discipline. Mental toughness is forged through daily habits. Just as we have sharpened our swords, we need to practice combat maneuvers. You also must sharpen your mind through consistent efforts. Here are some actionable steps:
3. Organize and prepare for needful things. Temporal preparedness is also part of God’s plan. The Lord instructs us to be ready with things like food, water, medicine, and clothing so we are not caught off guard in times of crisis. What does this look like for you as a leader? It could mean:

Mental preparation allows you to:

• Make decisions under pressure.
• Stay focused on your long-term mission.
• Respond to setbacks with strength and clarity.

Spiritual preparation means being in tune with the Lord’s guidance. Prayer, fasting, and scripture study are your tools for receiving revelation. When you lead with spiritual clarity, you’re not only able to endure challenges—you can inspire others to follow your lead.

The principle is clear: Preparedness eliminates fear. As you organize and prepare in every aspect of your life, you’ll find that challenges become less overwhelming, and your confidence in God’s promises grows.

Actionable Tip: Start by setting specific spiritual goals for yourself as a leader. Dedicate time each day to prayer and scripture study. Ask for the Lord’s guidance in your decisions, and then act with confidence in His promises. Build a personal system of daily preparation that strengthens both your mind and your spirit.

Calling Upon the Lord for Protection

No leader can succeed alone. Even the best-prepared leader needs divine guidance and protection. In D&C 38:30, the Lord reminds us to call upon Him for protection and guidance. This is key—God is not just a source of spiritual comfort; He is actively involved in our success.

When you pray for protection, you’re not only asking for physical safety—you’re asking for protection from spiritual dangers, from false teachings, and from the trials that could derail your mission. We are living in times where the adversary is actively working to distort truth and confuse principles of leadership. The only way to stay firm is to rely on divine guidance.

Preparation is not just about being ready for battle—it’s about trusting in the promises God has made to His people. Just as He promised Canaan to the Israelites, He has promised us eternal rewards if we remain faithful and prepared.

Victory doesn’t come through sheer willpower—it comes through alignment with God’s will. It comes when we prepare ourselves to be instruments in His hands, ready to lead wherever He calls.

When you prepare to lead, you prepare to win—because the God of Israel is on your side.

Actionable Tip: Make it a habit to call upon the Lord before making major decisions, whether in your personal life or in your leadership roles. Build in moments throughout your day to reconnect with the Lord, seeking His protection over the challenges you face.

Standing in Holy Places as a Leader

Now, let’s talk about what it means to stand in holy places as a leader. This concept can be applied in various aspects of life—your home, your workplace, or your community. Standing in holy places is not just about location; it’s about being anchored in principles that reflect godliness and purity.

As a leader, standing in holy places means creating an atmosphere where righteousness can thrive. It’s about protecting your home, your mind, and your heart from the negative influences of the world. A home built on the principles of the gospel becomes a holy place, and from that place of strength, you are empowered to lead others.

Think about your workplace or your sphere of influence. Are you fostering a culture that allows for spiritual strength and ethical leadership? A leader who stands in holy places sets a standard of integrity that others can trust and follow.

Actionable Tip: In your leadership role, create an environment that reflects the holiness you seek. This might mean scheduling time for prayers, encouraging meaningful conversations about faith, or organizing your workplace in a way that prioritizes ethical decision-making. It could also mean preparing temporally for challenges ahead by ensuring you have resources like water and food storage, as well as a plan for future needs.

Organizing for Temporal and Spiritual Safety

Finally, let’s touch on organizing ourselves and preparing for the future. Leadership is not only about spiritual fortitude but also about practical readiness. As we learned from D&C 38:30, being organized and prepared for temporal needs helps eliminate fear.

Just as you organize your spiritual life, you must also organize your temporal needs. This might mean preparing an emergency kit for your family, having a food storage plan, or ensuring your community has access to essential resources. Leaders not only prepare themselves but also help others prepare.

Actionable Tip: Review your current state of preparedness. Do you have the temporal resources necessary to care for yourself and others in times of need? Make a checklist of essential items—food, water, medicine, clothing—and start taking steps to get prepared.

Prepare to Lead, Prepare to Win

Let’s talk about why preparation is so vital for leaders. When you prepare yourself—spiritually, mentally, and temporally—you set the example for those you lead. People are looking to you for strength and stability. They need to know that when the storms come, their leader is ready, steady, and unfazed.

Being prepared isn’t just for the sake of your personal survival—it’s about positioning yourself to serve others. As a leader, your purpose is to guide others to higher ground, to protect them, and to inspire them toward their own victories.

When the Israelites were called to conquer Canaan, they were not only fighting for their land but for future generations. Similarly, your preparedness today builds a foundation that others will stand on tomorrow.

Leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about being prepared—mentally, spiritually, and temporally—to guide others through the challenges ahead. By standing in holy places, calling upon the Lord, and organizing for future needs, you can lead with confidence and courage.

Remember: If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. The Lord has promised that if we take these steps, we will not only survive adversity—we will thrive.

So, prepare to lead. Prepare to win. And as you do, you will find that the Lord is on your side.

Follow Up Commentary - Actionable, Daily “Grounding” Practices

Following our episode “Prepare to Lead, Prepare to Win,” it’s clear that being a ready leader isn’t achieved overnight. It requires a steady commitment to consistent, daily actions that anchor us spiritually, mentally, and physically. To help translate the principles we discussed into practice, here are three daily “grounding” practices for building resilience and focus.

1. Daily Anchoring Practices

Every strong leader has core routines that anchor them. Whether it’s starting the day with quiet reflection, a structured physical exercise routine, or time in prayer, daily anchors build stability and focus. In Doctrine & Covenants 88:119, we’re taught to “organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing.” Anchoring yourself through consistent daily routines brings order, clarity, and a foundation for decision-making.

• Morning Prayer and MeditationBegin with Stillness: Start your day with a conversation with God. Take five minutes to center yourself through prayer, expressing gratitude and seeking guidance. This prayer can then extend into a few moments of meditation, allowing you to align your mind with what matters most.
• Create a “Power Hour” Routine: Spend an hour each morning doing something that strengthens you spiritually, mentally, and physically. This could include prayer, scripture study, journaling, or a workout—whatever routines help you feel grounded and prepared for what lies ahead.
• Scripture Study: Spend time in the scriptures daily, even if only a few verses. This isn’t just reading—it’s grounding yourself in divine wisdom and guidance. Scriptures give us the vision and principles that serve as the armor of preparation.

2. Standing in Holy Places

Standing in holy places is more than just a spiritual command; it is a daily practice that grounds us in purpose and integrity. Doctrine & Covenants 87:8 teaches us, “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” Holy places can be anywhere you feel close to God: your home, church, or temple. Creating these “holy places” in your environment or building in a routine to access them regularly helps you stay strong when the world tries to pull you in different directions.

• Personal Holy Spaces: Dedicate a small area in your home for reflection, scripture study, and prayer. This place becomes a daily reminder to return to what is holy. Even outside of this physical space, carry the spirit of reverence and respect for holy places wherever you go.
• Choose Your Company Wisely: Surround yourself with people who uplift, strengthen, and encourage righteous principles. When you stand in holy places with others who are also committed to high standards, you reinforce your spiritual grounding and strengthen your resolve to be a principled leader.
• Check Your Environment: Regularly assess the “environment” of your relationships, media, and daily habits. Remove or limit influences that pull you away from your values, and surround yourself with reminders of your commitment to stand firm in holy places.
• Daily Temple Mindset: Even if you can’t attend the temple every day, carry the mindset of the temple with you. Visualize yourself in holy places to focus on staying true to your commitments, regardless of the distractions or demands around you.

3. Reflect on Your Mission

Daily reflection on your mission helps you remember your purpose and identity as a disciple. As D&C 38:30 teaches us, preparedness eliminates fear; knowing your mission strengthens your resolve and equips you for the day ahead.

• Journal or Reflect Nightly: Take a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on your actions, lessons learned, and ways you grew. Writing down your thoughts helps you remember both victories and areas for improvement, as well as ways in which the Spirit has guided you.
• Purpose-Driven Goals: Every morning, set one or two goals that align with your divine mission and larger purpose. These aren’t just professional or personal goals; they’re goals that remind you of your spiritual and eternal trajectory.
• Remember Your Eternal Mission: Reflecting on your larger purpose as a child of God with an eternal mission strengthens your resilience. You are part of the Lord’s plan, meant to influence, inspire, and build others in preparation for His coming. This perspective keeps you focused on eternal rewards rather than temporal concerns.

These grounding practices give structure to your day and clarity to your life’s purpose, cultivating a mindset and readiness for whatever challenges come your way. Consistently committing to these principles enables you to become the leader that others can look to, and the disciple of Christ that God needs, prepared to lead and prepared to win in all aspects of your life.

Closing Thoughts

Anchoring your day with purpose-driven actions prepares you to lead effectively and face whatever life throws your way. By consistently establishing grounding practices, standing firm in holy places, and realigning with your mission, you build resilience and endurance that will prepare you for success in both the challenges and opportunities of life.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Grounded Leader Podcast. Join me next week for our next episode in The Armor of Preparation series, where we’ll discuss how to be The Ready Leader—always prepared for life’s battles, both seen and unseen. Until then, stay grounded in your faith, and keep sharpening your sword.