Humans Acting As Angels
"[We all face] dangers and hardships. . . . [But] there will be 'angels round about you, to bear you up' (D&C 84:88). They will sustain us as we carry our earthly burdens. Often in our lives, those angels are the people around us, the people who love us, those who allow themselves to be instruments in the Lord's hands. "President Spencer W. Kimball said, 'God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom' ("There is Purpose in Life," New Era, Sept. 1974, 5)."
(Susan W. Tanner, "All Things Shall Work Together for Your Good," Ensign, May 2004, 106)
From the bible dictionary.
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A person who is a divine messenger is called an angel |
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'God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom' |
An experience from my mission. I remember walking down the street with my companion when suddenly a strong impression came over me. I don't remember, what we were doing that day or anything specifically indicating a special needs to receive this impression. I all of a sudden knew that we were acting as angels for Heavenly Father. It was a very clear impression, I knew it, we were angels.
I have a strong testimony that missionaries are angels of sort. They are definite messengers with a divine message. They change lives!
Like Zelph mentioned, people who lead us back to living the gospel are definitely angels. Mine happened to be a missionary who felt compelled to do whatever it took to break down the wall of resistance. That was almost 18 years ago and there is not a week that goes by that I do not thank Heavenly Father for him and the fact he was humble enough to be led by the spirit.
Our family had an experience with a homeless person that was incredible and I wonder to this day if he was an angel. It reminded me of that scripture about not knowing if we are entertaining angels. It was a powerful spiritual experience. Has anyone else ever felt like they have crossed paths with someone like that?
Regarding the question of why God would use people--I think you are right. He wants us to learn compassion and love--how much more of it we will have by serving and loving other people. It helps us grow as well as whoever we may be touching. We are His hands and instruments, in my opinion.
I wish I could remember where I read this but I found it very interesting and I like to think it's true. Take it for what it's worth:
Often, when people receive angelic visitation (heavenly beings) these "angels" are actually family members (either past, from the spirit world, or future, from the pre-existence). I think people can be angels in physical form, just like they could be in spirit form.
Just as a side note (maybe for a different thread), if the angel that appeared to Laman and Lemuel were a family member, it might explain the reason they so quickly forgot the experience and returned to their evil ways.
QUOTE (Di Jung Lau @ 30-Nov 07, 9:20 AM) |
I wish I could remember where I read this but I found it very interesting and I like to think it's true. Take it for what it's worth: |
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Often, when people receive angelic visitation (heavenly beings) these "angels" are actually family members (either past, from the spirit world, or future, from the pre-existence). I think people can be angels in physical form, just like they could be in spirit form. |
I was surprised to read this thread"¦ Cool topic!
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"I agree that they could be ancestors from the spirit world but something is nagging at me that I read that they could not come from the pre-existence." |
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Brigham Young stated: "Where is the spirit world? It is right here...Do [spirits of the departed] go beyond the boundaries of the organized earth? No, they do not...Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies." - Source 9 Joseph Smith, Jr. taught "The spirits of the just...are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith." - ToPJS p.326 |
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Hades, the Greek, or Sheol, the Hebrew, these two significations mean a world of spirits. Hades, Sheol, paradise, spirits in prison, are all one: it is a world of spirits. The righteous and the wicked all go to the same world of spirits until the resurrection. "I do not think so," says one. If you will go to my house any time, I will take my lexicon and prove it to you. - Joseph Smith ToPJS p.310 |