Oh, That I Were an Angel- Bethany Cox
What (or who) are angels? The Bible definition for angel is “messengers of the Lord”. The Miriam-Webster dictionary has a couple of definitions for ‘angel’ including “A spiritual being superior to humans in power and intelligence”, “an attendant spirit or guardian”, or “messenger”. The dictionary.com website has a definition of angel that I thought was very interesting as “a person whose actions or thoughts are continually virtuous”. Angels have helped bring forth the work of God to those of us on Earth from the beginning of time: all the way from Adam and even so today.
Angels are given many divers tasks and responsibilities to help perpetuate God’s plan. In the Garden of Eden angels with flaming swords were stationed to guard the tree the bore the fruit of life. An angel came to the virgin, Mary and proclaimed “Hail, though that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” The angel then goes on to comfort her trembling and bring her the joyous news of the child she will bear, even Jesus the Christ. In Acts 5:19 it tells of an angel releasing John and Peter from prison, astounding the guards. There are so many other tasks that angels are given, too many to talk about each one of them- the list would go on forever, because angels are forever.
What are some of the characteristics of angels? According, again, to dictionary.com an angel is “a person having qualities generally attributed to angels such as, beauty, purity, and kindliness.” From that definition we can assume that angels are beautiful (which Joseph Smith confirms in his description of Moroni), pure, and kind. There are generally two types of angels: those with flesh and bones who have been resurrected or translated (such as Elijah) and those who have only spirit bodies. Angels have one thing in mind: to serve their God. How many times have we heard of angels singing in multitudes praises to God? Usually where there is a multitude, there is a hymn of praise.
There are also living angels on this Earth who walk among us and talk with us on a day to day basis. These angels are not exalted beings, rather, those who are in tune with the Spirit and with others and who follow received promptings. When these ‘angels’ follow these promptings, the burdens of others are usually lifted and they look upon the “burden-lifter” as an angel from God. We can be everyday angels by starting each morning with a prayer to put others in our paths who need our loving touch, a smile, or a shoulder to lean on. We never know who needs an angel in any given moment, so we need to remain close to the Spirit and always willing to follow promptings we receive. There have been times when I was feeling lowly and weak and some unexpected person crosses my path and changes my day, week, month, or even my life and attitude. I am eternally grateful to those ‘angels’.
I am looking forward to the next life, were I will be able to meet my guardian angels, my ancestors, and those who have been angels to me in this life. I hope that I have been an angel to those in need. I can’t wait to join in the concourses of these supreme beings who sing praises to my Lord. Hopefully the Lord will send me on errands down to earth now and again so I can continue his work and change the lives of others.
Works Cited
Miriam-Websters Dictionary- angel
Dictionary.com- angel
Luke Chapter 2
Genesis Chapter 2
Acts Chapter 5
Joseph Smith- History
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Bethany, I like the insights you give about angels from the dictionaries. Did you find a quotation from a general authority that helped to define angels for you?
Bethany,
I really enjoyed your thoughts about angles. I too cannot wait to meet my angles that were unseen but that had helped my in my life. I know that I too will also get the chance to be angles both in life now and after i've past thru the vail so that I can do unto others what i have been blessed to experience.
I liked the definitions and the questions you answered about angels. Like going into their characteristics and such. nice job!
You did a great job of showing how angels are in our every day and that they truly do exist. It was put very nicely.
Love the title. I really enjoyed your conclusion. It's a wonderful thought that the Lord might one day have us as His messengers :)
I thought this was a great blog. I like the different sources you used for you definitions. I also appreciated the depth of the subject. Thank you for sharing your testimony of angels with us.
I can't seem to get enough of this topic. I truly believe there are angels everywhere in our lives. Thank you for this blog.
I liked how you listed ways of how each of us can be angels. Maybe enhance it by adding a personal experience of being helped or helping.
I liked how you listed ways of how each of us can be angels. Maybe enhance it by adding a personal experience of being helped or helping.
Great job, Bethany! I really liked what you said about earthly angels that strengthen us in weak times and brighten our days with joy and smiles. Thank you for reminding us that we need to be in tune with the Spirit so that we be an angel to someone who needs it.
Post a Comment