Angels

Although I was given the gift of the Holy Ghost as my constant companion when I was 8 years old, it has taken much of my life to realize the incredible blessing of the Spirit.  I believe I felt the Spirit many times in my youth, but it is amazing how much more real and intense those feelings have become over time.  I don't remember ever feeling the "Christmas spirit" as much as I do this year.  I have spent hours each day listening to the scriptures or General Conference talks on my iPhone, and the Spirit has literally flooded me.


Tonight I've been preparing the questions for a Jeopardy game I will play with our ward's youth on Wednesday night.  One of the categories I am including in the game is "Heavenly Messengers."  While researching this topic tonight, I came upon some awesome stories and was able to reflect on many of the angelic events spoken of in the scriptures.  I found some quotes from apostles that I want to include here, because they are timely and are wonderful reminders to me of the times I've been keenly aware of angels assisting me - both heavenly and earthly.


This first quote is from a talk given by Elder Merrill J. Bateman in December, 2007.

What is the lesson for us today as we enter a new Christmas season? Who will minister to those in need? Who are the angels that will prepare the way for His return? I have noticed that during the early stages of a dispensation, angelic ministers come from the other side of the veil, but as time elapses and the number of faithful members increases, more is expected of those in mortality. For example, when a new country is opened to the gospel, missionaries learn that many have been prepared in miraculous ways to receive the gospel, and miracles occur with some frequency to advance the work. Once a core of members is established, however, the Lord’s assistance changes as He provides opportunities for the members to become the miracle workers.

Consequently, miracles during this Christmas season require our faith and works. As we sing the hymns of Christmas and speak of angels sent to earth to witness the Savior’s birth in the meridian of time, may we rise to the occasion and minister to those in need in our day. May we be reminded of our promises to “bear one another’s burdens, … to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places … and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that [we] may have eternal life" (Mosiah 18:8-9).

I bear witness that Christmas is a season for angels. As they ministered to the Savior and others in the “meridian of time,” may we, as angels of mercy, minister to other families and to those in need in the “fulness of times” so that the Lord’s work may move forward.

There have been times I've pondered why the scriptures are full of instances where angels attended people here on earth.  Although I've never been so bold as to wonder why I haven't SEEN an actual angel, it's interesting to wonder at times if these "miracles" still happen.  I love the explanation about how angels are especially needed during the early stages of a new dispensation.  This makes so much sense!  Adam and Eve were in constant communication with the heavens, because they needed more guidance and instruction from the Lord.  The early Saints of this dispensation had many angelic visitations because they needed to be especially strong during the tough trials they would endure.  I don't feel any need for a heavenly visitation, although I have had some very sacred moments when I've felt their presence.  I can honestly say that I have been blessed with real angels in my life - ones I can call on the phone who will drop anything to help me.


These next quotes are from a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in October, 2008, titled "The Ministry of Angels".


Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

In the course of life all of us spend time in “dark and dreary”places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement . . .But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time.

I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But 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. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves.”

In case I haven't stated it publicly lately, I want to record it here. The scriptures - the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and all the words of our modern-day prophets and apostles - are true. Although I enjoy the stories they hold, I am most grateful for the way the Spirit can completely sweep into my life when I surround myself with their teachings. No earthly therapist or drug could ever bring me the peace I can access through the Spirit.