Ministering Angels

Well, I've been pondering a lot lately about being an instrument in the hand of God and ministering angels. So, to my great joy Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk in this last General Conference called "The Ministry of Angels."

Elder Holland states, "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."

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 7:35-37, 30)

Joseph Fielding Smith taught us that "it is contrary to the law of God for the heavens to be opened and messengers to come to do anything for man that man can do for himself." (Doctrines of Salvation 1: 196)

Along the same lines, Elder Holland went on to say, "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."

Some of the ministering angels that I have seen in my own life are my mom and my second mama, Sister Gruwell. They are always on the look out for others and always serving others. I am convinced that God is aware of our needs and concerns and prepares and inspires others to be his ministering angels. Just the other day, I was in the middle of a long week of midterms and assignments and I wasn't doing as well as I thought I should be. I started doubting myself and wondering if pre-dental was really the right major for me. I am usually not the type of person to get discouraged or be pessimistic. So anyways, literally while walking home from school while pondering this in my mind, my mom called out the blue. And it wasn't any typical call that my mom makes to me. She seriously started the conversation by saying that she was just looking up some statistics about employment and good jobs and how she felt that I had made the right choice in choosing my career. It was the most random thing, but I know it was no coincidence. I still couldn't believe how she just "randomly" called me so I asked her if anyone told her to call me, but she reassured me that nobody had.

Also, I have had the chance to be this instrument in the hand of the Lord to others. I remember about 6 months after I got home from my mission, I wanted to call and check up and say hi to a convert who got put as Branch President right when I let my last area. When I called him, he was so confused as to why I was calling him. He also asked if anybody told me to call him, but I had to assure that I just wanted to say hi. He related to me of how he had been fasting for the past week about a problem that one of the members had in the branch. He didn't know what to do or where to go to so he told me how he went to God to send him an answer. So anyways, he said that he had just prayed again to know what to do, and then that's when I called. I had been in the branch presidency for a little while so I was aware of certain situations, so I gave him the best advice I could. He said that was just the answer he needed. I don't write this to be self righteous or boast in myself, but to show how we can be ministering angels. To be honest, I don't recall receiving a distinct impression to call him, instead it was just God using me to bring to pass his work and glory.

Elder Robert D. Hales pleaded, "That you and I might realize that we have the power and responsibility to help those in need, as ministering angels for the Lord Jesus Christ is my prayer." (April 1986 General Conference)

I wish I had more time to write other miracles I have seen of ministering angels (from both sides of the veil). I testify that ministering angels are real, and I know that we all can be ministering angels.