Angel. The immediate connotative image in mind is that of a brilliantly white cloaked personage. There are certain topics that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints find sacred that the remainder of the world has belittled and is attempting to corrupt altogether, such as the definition of the sacred ordinance of marriage being argued in California’s Proposition 8. The stereotype of an angel is a white being with wings, where a halo is often included. In fact one online dictionary defines “angel” as “conventionally in the image of a human figure with a halo and wings.” Current revelation has revealed to us that angels do not have wings (History of the Church 3:392) A somewhat more reliable non-religious dictionary declares that the word angel is derived from the Greek angelos which literally means “messenger”.
Angels are messengers from God. “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.” (2 Nephi 32:3) An angel told Mary she was to give birth to Jesus Christ, and angel appeared to Nephi and his brothers to deliver the message of the Lord. This Lord himself was brought up in his mortal ministry through the ministering of angels, as was Joseph Smith. Servants of God; or Angels, helped restore the priesthood upon the earth through the laying on of hands and returning these keys to mortal men. Consider now the Bible Dictionary statements regarding angels: “Ordinarily the word angel means those ministering persons who have a body of flesh and bone, being either resurrected from the dead (re-embodied), or else translated…” (BD 608)
However, even Satan is referred to as an angel of old; a “fallen” angel. We are warned of our own potential to become his angels instead of God’s. “For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil…” (2 Nephi 9:8-9) Other scriptures speak of fallen angels as well. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great last day.” (Jude 1:6)
One definition of an Angel is one that is not directly pointed out in the Bible Dictionary, but is not incorrect. Another definition is that of an “attendant spirit or guardian”. We have all heard of little guardian angels. We would all like to think we have one, but I do not believe that this philosophy refers to a single specified angel of the Lord that has been assigned to watch over us in our personal mortal life as individuals. I believe that the Lord and his spirit; the Holy Ghost, are always able to watch over each and every one of us as if he were watching only over us, and that when we do good, the angels rejoice with our Heavenly Father: “Behold, I say unto you that your brethren in Zion begin to repent, and the angels rejoice over them.” (D&C 90:34) Yet when we sin, there are still angels that rejoice: “And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness, and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.” (Moses 7:26)
Those of us who chose Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s plan of happiness have the potential to become just like him and inherit all that he hath. Even if we do not pass the test on earth and live the gospel, we will at least become his angels. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, or the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” (Matthew 22:29-30) That third of the hosts of heaven that were determined to follow the plan of the adversary thereby became his angels. Angels of god are here to help us and minister to us the desires of the Lord. Given this definition, I cannot help but look at our latter day prophets as angels, delivering his word to us. Under that light, missionaries of the church can even be akin to angels. Not the angels that have achieved worthiness of celestial glory and live in the spirit world, but in concept, our latter day prophets (inclusive of the quorum of the twelve) are the middle men between our communications with Heavenly Father as a church body. Our missionaries are the ministers of the gospel to those that were not born into the church or do not yet understand the gospel. I cannot wait until I receive my own mission call that I might join in the purpose of the angels in serving our Heavenly Father and delivering his word, helping others, and watching over those that need it; rejoicing in those that repent, and crying for those that fall away.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/angel
http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/angel
Bible Dictionary p. 608
2 Nephi 32:3, 9:8-9
Jude 1:6
D&C 90:34
Moses 7:26
Matthew 22:29-30
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15 comments:
I like the way that you use different definitions of the word "angel" to develop your talk. You explore the concept from various angles.
I thought it was really interesting how you addressed the fact that satan has "angels" as well. That's not something we usually think about.
Cameron, good blog! I like how you talk about how angels are messengers from God. I really enjoyed the way you spoke about angels!
Cameron-I loved how informative your blog was and how you drew in so many different resources! Good job!
Nice work! I really enjoyed the concept of "messengers. It's important to know that prophets receive revelation through messengers of God, and then instruct members of this church. Christ is at the head. Thanks.
This was a very interesting blog Cameron. I disagree with you on one part however, I believe that God has assigned angels to watch over us and help us with things that we ask for in righteousness.
Very good analysis! I had no idea that the word angel meant messenger. It makes a lot more sense now.
This was amazing. To be an angel unto the devil must be the worst punishment, next to never receiving a body. For, it is said, those that fall will realize the feebleness of Satan and wonder how they ever could have followed him.
I appreciate the doctrine you give about angels. I've never fully understood how angels play into our religion and your paper helped me gain a better understanding of their origin and function.
Your last sentiments are like Alma, who wished that he was an angel that might declare repentance to the world. It is wonderful that we don't have to wait till we are dead to be angels, and after we have died we can be more than angels-we can be like God.
I really like this addition, “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.” We need to heed whatever these messengers bring to our attention! Great blog.
I have never read a blog/talk that went in depth about angels as good, bad, and defined by the world. This was a very interesting choice and very clear.
I too enjoyed how you enlightened me on satan having angels. I never thought that was a possiblility. Thanks for your testimony too.
Angel always has such a good connotation. Thanks for reminding me that the word angel could also talk about fallen angels, and Satan himself. Often I wonder how God feels about the one third of His children that fell away, for I often feel sorry for those who did and do not choose the path of the Savior.
I really liked how you pointed out that the word angel means messenger. I have never really thought of that before.
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