Ministering Angels

As I looked through the material in the Come, Follow Me manual this past week, there was one phrase that stood out to me that I wanted to learn more about: "the keys of the ministering of angels". Two concepts profoundly impacted me. One is a concept from a a talk given by Elder Holland entitled "The Ministry of Angels". In his message he talks about two kinds of ministering angels - heavenly angels and earthly angels. Of heavenly angels he said: "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children....in times of special need, He [sends] angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven [is] always very close and that His help [is] always very near." And of earthly angels he said: "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." 

The second important concept for me was discussed in a podcast (Book of Mormon Central) I listened to this week as they taught that ministering angels act as the "go-betweens" for heaven and earth.  This concept really resonated with me and helped to give me a new understanding about the work of a ministering angel. As I thought about a "go-between", it became apparent that both mortal angels and heavenly angels can do that work. Section 13 is the record of John the Baptist' visit to ordain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He acted as the angelic "go-between" as he delivered God's heavenly priesthood keys to worthy earthly servants. We can be ministering angels and serve as "go-betweens" by responding to the personal revelation we receive from our Father in Heaven that can help His children on earth. One of the most significant ways we can do this is through temple work. In our earthbound temples we act as the "go-between" by receiving heavenly ordinances for deceased people so they will be able to return to the presence of God.

Angels can come as answers to prayers. Elder Holland taught: "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." Sister Michelle D. Craig gave a wonderful example of this principle when she shared this story from the Old Testament during her Oct 2020 General Conference address: "I love the Old Testament story of a young man who served the prophet Elisha. Early one morning the young man woke up, went outside, and found the city surrounded by a great army intent on destroying them. He ran to Elisha: “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” Elisha answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them...and the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (Eyes to See)

Not only should we expect to have angels come to our rescue, but we need to look for opportunities to be ministering angels to others. I've always loved the quote by Pres. Kimball that encompasses this principle..."God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." Ministering angels are real, and both heavenly and earthly angels are here, all around us. May the Lord do for us as He did for the young man in the Old Testament story and open our eyes that we might see them.