There Are Angels Among Us- Dana Woodbury

A few days before General Conference this fall, a non-member friend of mine asked me a question that I had never thought about before. “What,” she queried, “is the difference between an angel and a spirit?” I must admit that I was stumped. The scriptures teach that Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith as an angel after Moroni had already lived on the Earth. This coincides with the thought that those who are faithful on Earth will earn the right to become angels after they die. On the other hand, though, my patriarchal blessing describes a time in my premortal existence when I was an angel. Clearly, I had not yet experienced mortality. So, that proved my first theory wrong. I pondered this question for several days and still did not know how to answer. Nothing could have surprised me more than hearing Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk on angels as I sat in the conference center Saturday afternoon. As I listened, I came to realize that anyone can be an angel, mortal and immortal. As I further pondered the issue, I was impressed by the wonderful role that angels in all different forms have played in the history of Christ’s church.

In studying the ancient scriptures, many stories can be found which involve angelic intervention. Laman and Lemuel are two people who received several angelic warnings. At one point in the Book of Mormon, Laman and Lemuel became angry with Nephi and resorted to, “speak[ing] hard words…and they did smite [Nephi] even with a rod” (1 Nephi 3:28). Following this action, an angel of the Lord appeared and chastised them for their behavior. Although this event did not have enormous repercussions, the angel did establish that the Lord had chosen Nephi as a leader over his elder brother. Another scriptural account of an angel takes place many years later as the sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger were rebelling against the church. The angel appeared and commanded them, saying, “go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more”(Mosiah 27:16). This angelic involvement changed history. Alma and the sons of Mosiah forsook their evil lifestyle and went on to convert many souls to the gospel. Had the angel not appeared, many people that they came in contact with may have gone through this mortal life without hearing the truth instead. Finally, in the New Testament, while the Savior was in Gethsemane, “there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43).The impact that this angel had on the Savior is unknown. However, it is safe to say that this angelic help from God was crucial in Christ’s time of need. These experiences, both small and large, are proof that Heavenly Father will intervene with angels when He deems it necessary.

Another time when angels were prevalent upon the Earth was during the early days of the Church. Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith on several occasions in order to prepare him for receiving the gold plates (Joseph Smith-History 1:27-54).Later, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were also visited by John the Baptist in angelic form in order to receive the keys of the Aaronic priesthood (Doctrine and Covenants 13). These stories are well-known and their implications are obvious. The Lord needed a great work to be done on Earth. He knew that the only way this could be accomplished is through angelic intervention. There are also many accounts of angels that are not as well-known as these. In an Ensign article by Elder Bruce C. Hafen, the concept of unseen angels is brought up. Referring to angelic visitations, he said:

“Some of these personal visits were dramatic and powerful…other personal manifestations have been so quiet that those who received them were unaware of the angelic presence. The ministry of these unseen angels is among the most sublime forms of interaction between heaven and earth, powerfully expressing God’s concern for us and bestowing tangible assurance and spiritual sustenance upon those in great need”(Hafen, 1992).

This type of manifestation is often overlooked. It is very possible that many people have experienced angelic interventions without even knowing it. Elder Hafen continues by relating several instances in which this has occurred. He tells the scriptural account of Elisha’s servant who lacks the faith that he and Elisha will be able to overcome the army they are facing. Elisha replies, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Elisha petitions for the Lord to open the servants eyes, “and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17). This is a powerful example of how the Lord is willing to lend the help of his angels to the righteous. Elder Hafen also relates a tale in which the Prophet Joseph Smith, “saw Elder Brigham Young in a strange land,… in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen [hostile] men. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God standing above his head, with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it”(Hafen, 1992). This image is amazing in portraying how the Lord uses unseen angels to protect and provide comfort to those that are furthering his work upon the Earth.

Finally, there are mortal angels. Elder Holland says, “When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with- here, now, every day”(Holland, 2008). This thought is tremendous in its suggestion, not only as individuals consider all of the people who have helped them along the path of righteousness, but also as people come to realize that they can be angels to other people. Elder Holland admonishes us to, “try to be a little more angelic ourselves- with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted””(Holland, 2008). It is important for individuals to consider these points as they strive to help others and become more angelic. In a previous conference talk given by Elder Holland, he specifically discusses the act of speaking kindly to others, or learning to “speak with the tongue of angels” (Holland, 2007). In this article, Elder Holland quotes Paul, saying, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but [only] that which is good…[and] edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers…Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you…And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:29-32). If we are able to do these things, then we will eventually be blessed with the ability to bridle our tongue and thus become perfect (James 3:2). Clearly, it is the duty of righteous saints to be instruments in the Lord’s hands. One way we can do this is by controlling what we say. By keeping an optimistic attitude and praising others, we will be able to bless the lives of others and become modern day angels to other people.

In conclusion, I would like to bear my testimony that our Father in Heaven will not leave us alone. He will guide us and protect us with His angels when that is what we need. In Greek, angel translates to messenger. This brings up another point. Heavenly Father will use these messengers to convey important messages. While some of these messages are life-altering, such as the angel that appeared to the shepherds before Christ’s birth, others are simply given a nudge in the right direction by mortal angels. Either way, these experiences should lead us to know that we are being looked out for. As spirit children of God, He loves and cares for us greatly. Know this, and then use this knowledge to uplift and edify His other children. The blessings that come from this will be innumerable. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sources
1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
2. The King James version of the Holy Bible
3. Joseph Smith-History
4. Doctrine and Covenants
5. Holland, Jeffrey. "The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, November 2008
6. Hafen, Bruce. "When Do The Angels Come?," Ensign, April 19992, p. 12
7. Holland, Jeffrey. "The Tongue of Angels," Ensign, May 2007, p.16-18