As I was sitting in the Tabernacle loft before choir rehearsal and Music and the Spoken Word later, a sister came in and was heading to her seat in the loft. What caught my eye was the overhead lighting and how it reflected in the hair of the sister - it looked like a halo! So, I started to watch other brethren and sisters come in to see if I could see the same phenomena. For some, it was as clear as the first sister, and to some I either had to look harder or I could not see anything. Now, I am not trying to imply anything - it was just an observation! So I got to thinking about that and started to think about angels in our midst.

I have blogged briefly before about angels, but I felt impressed to write down some of my thoughts. When one thinks of an angel, the first thing that may enter into the mind of some is a gorgeous woman dressed in white, with a halo and wings. Some associate them with harps or other instruments. Usually around Christmas is when one starts to see this representation. I mentioned before about our collection of Hallmark "Mary's Angels" (this being the 26th year and still going strong). Every one of them is portrayed with the wings. In the paintings of the early masters, they portrayed angels as was mentioned, and saints just having the halo around their heads. Their roles, as mentioned in the scriptures is share tidings and to warn. They appear and disappear rather quickly. They are sent from our Heavenly Father and are all about His mission.

In the LDS world, angels are described. Most of the angels mentioned are male figures though. And they do not possess halos or wings. Joseph Smith described the visitation of the [angel] Moroni as:

"An angel of light" who "had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen.… His hands were naked and his arms also a little above the wrists.… Not only was his robe exceedingly white but his whole person was glorious beyond description". 

They also come and speak what Father in Heaven has sent them to proclaim and then they leave, having once again accomplished the will of the Father. Some believe that they have a guardian angel "assigned" to them; who assists them when they are in need. Some say that their guardian angel is sort of like an intercessory between them and Heavenly Father. While, I am not sure one way or another, I know I have been in situations where it felt like I immediately had a load lifted from me.

Many prophets have mentioned, and I firmly believe that we have angels walking the earth today. While they do not usually have on "loose robe of most exquisite whiteness", do not have wings, or physical halos, they are nonetheless angels. What constitutes an earthly angel? Here are some of my thoughts:
  • They are in tune with the spirit and act upon promptings. The spirit is of most importance to them because it the one of the conduits between Heaven and earth. Feeling the spirit, knowing the Master's voice through the spirit, and doing the things they are prompted to do will be one of the best prerequisites for an earthly angel.
  • They usually do their acts and deeds with no recognition. Just as the Savior did His healings, He mentioned that they should not tell anyone about it. So it goes for earthly angels. They seek no adoration. They just do because it is what they felt they needed to do.
  • They come and do what they have been prompted and then leave. Earthly angels typically quietly do their deed and then leave; many times without even being noticed. Having said that, if they feel impressed to do so, they can linger and follow through, making sure everything is okay.
  • They can physically comfort, listen, and give counsel if asked. Just as mentioned above, they can linger to give of themselves in service. They are considered to be good friends that the person can call upon them for help. Be it, physical, emotional, or spiritual help. They can depend on their earthly angel to help them whenever called upon.
What is one great example of earthly angels in action? The Home and Visiting Teaching program of the church. They are asked to come once a moth, but a true earthly angel/home-visiting teacher may spend much more time. My family has been very fortunate to have had earthly angels visit our home as Home Teachers. They were genuinely concerned for our welfare and dropped literally everything when we needed them. We have had earthly angels visit us unbeknownst to us and perform wonderful acts of kindness and charity. To them, I express, on behalf of my family our eternal thanks. Some of the acts, literally saved our spiritual lives.

While I could see no physical halo's around the heads of my seen earthly angels, their acts testified to me of their heavenly mission in an earthly body. I can only aspire to be like them. And I am sure that part of their reward in Heaven will be, instead of a halo - a crown of gold.


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