Angels

Doctrine & Covenants 129

As I was preparing for a Relief Society lesson last week, I was reminded of a talk on angels given by Elder Holland. He had this to say:

"From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. . . .

"As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel: “Has the day of miracles ceased? “Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? “Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. … “For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” (Moroni 7)

"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.
. . . 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. . . . 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.

(Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, general conference October 2008)

I decided that a lesson on angels would be perfect for the Christmas season. Here's another quote I found:

"Miracles during [the] 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. . . .

"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.

(Elder Merrill J. Bateman, Ensign, December 2007)
So, I thought it was quite appropriate to re-read section 129 this week later this week and be reminded of the role of angels in our lives.

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