Elder Holland said, we came to earth in a fallen state to a "telestial world" with "thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind." We would be distanced from God. We would face challenges and loneliness and difficulties. God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, did not leave us alone. He hears and answers our prayers and He sent apostles and prophets to help guide us, among other things. "But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near."
Time after time in the scripture are events where Angels were sent to deliver messages or bring comfort. As Elder Holland says, "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children....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....I testify that angels are still sent to help us."
I love this scripture found in Moroni 7:35-37, 30. I had a previous spiritual experience about this scripture, in fact I had been pondering it for several weeks, and when Elder Holland quoted it, it was like pure testimony and conviction etched in my heart forever!!
“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.”
And then Elder Holland said, [and who could not take comfort from this?!] "I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He 'would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.' And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to 'search diligently, pray always, and be believing. [Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.' The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."
Elder Holland said that not all Angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with here and 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 Holland then accounts a riveting story [you can read it in his talk] and then he finishes with this statement: "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. 'Nor 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."
It is so comforting to KNOW that we have Angels watching over us. There have been many times I have had mortal Angels help me, and no doubt those on the other side, unseen. It is wonderful to KNOW that we can BE an Angel to someone else. I have had those experiences, too, and there have been other times I didn't even realize I had been an Angel til much later, when that person told me. On the other hand, there is much I feel I need to do to improve myself so I can be more of an Angel, as Elder Holland said, "In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all 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.'"
Larry Barkdull, another favorite author of mine, wrote an article, "The Work of Angels" that is right up there with Elder Holland's talk! Elder Barkdull has written a book about rescuing wayward children. By wayward he means those who have been members of the church but have left it. And in fact, in a way, it's an analogy or allegory for all of us, because coming to earth in our fallen state has estranged us from God, and we are all lost and wandering, trying to find our way back to him. It can also apply to all who have been estranged from loved ones.
I have 2 children who have left the church. So, Brother Barkdull's words are very comforting and helpful to me. He said, "As we work to reclaim our wayward children, we are not alone. Often angels are dispatched to help us. These angels include our ancestors, whose love and concern for the child equals ours."
How comforting is that?!
He goes on, "As both Hezekiah and Elisha testified, there are many more which stand to help us than the powers that oppose our children and us."
Joseph Smith taught, "The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith."
Brother Barkdull said, "That the keys of the ministering of angels have been restored should fill us with hope and faith" And that "By virtue of the powers attendant to the Aaronic Priesthood, parents have the right to ask for angelic help in behalf of their children."
He didn't mention this in the article, but we have proof of that in the scriptures, in the Book of Mormon, in Mosiah 27 where righteous King Mosiah and Alma, a great man and leader of the church, dealt with wayward sons. In fact, it was more than just wayward. Four sons of Mosiah, and one son of Alma, also being called Alma, went about persecuting people of the church, in fact, they were in rebellion against God and did so even secretly, with much flattering words, leading away many of the people of God contrary to God's commandments, and also that of their king, who had sent a proclamation proclaiming that there should be none in the land to persecute the people of God, the believers.
And as they were going about an angel of the Lord appeared before them, and spoke to them with a "voice of thunder" and they were so astonished they fell to the earth. And the angel asked them why they were going about to destroy the church.
"And...the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also me before you? And I am sent from God." Mosiah 27:14-15
Well, Alma and the four sons of Mosiah were converted and they became some of the greatest missionaries in the Book of Mormon, later bringing thousands to a knowledge of God, and more astounding was the fact that most of these converts were among the Lamanites who were enemies to their people, who hated them and sought constantly to kill them and take power over them. But they were so converted they were willing to go among their enemies, at the peril of their lives, in the chance that they might bring them to this knowledge of God. And God blessed them with success, and from these faithful Lamanite converts come many powerful stories of faith and righteousness. They became a people that, once converted, never did waver in their faith at any time. It is so inspiring.
So yes, we can ask for angels to help us with our wayward and rebellious children. God might not send an angel to convert them, but He will send help in the way He sees best for our situation.
I loved Brother Barkdull's concept of the angels being some of our ancestors. We know that as we faithfully attend the temple that we will have angels watching over us. And that as we do the work of redeeming the dead, that they will be helping with redemptive efforts on our side of the veil. Brother Barkdull said, "...they who perhaps understand better than we the power of the 'welding link' that binds us together through temple ordinances." Neither of us can be made perfect without the other. "Heaven and earth are partners in the cosmic work of salvation."
It's wonderful to know that angels are not strangers, "but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants." (as President Joseph F. Smith said). Brother Barkdull concludes with "No matter their choices and situations [our wayward children], God loves them and is constantly working to save and redeem them. And so are their family and friends that have gone before. We are never alone in the work of redemption."
We are angels in partner.
And then this great promise in Doctrine and Covenants 84:88, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
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