Appendix 5 | Angels

Appendix 5: Angels

What is an Angel

Many religions believe in some form of Angel, though what an Angel is and represents can change from religion to religion. Even religions that all use the Old testament as part of their scripture (known as Abrahamic Religions, or religions descended from Abraham,)
 differ in their definition.

It is not the purpose of this introduction to define all of the various meanings and types of Angelic belief in the world, nor the history and development of these beliefs

Instead, this book is concerned only with the tradition and belief of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Specifically, it is interested in one Angel from the Latter-day Saint culture, Moroni.

Roles of Angels

In the interest of background and definition, let’s briefly explore the scriptural accounts of Angels in the view Latter-day Saint culture, along with the roles they have played in the Plan of our Heavenly Father.

Angels can be seen as early as the book of Genesis. As Adam and Eve are being evicted from the Garden, a ‘Cherubim and Flaming sword’ are placed to prevent them from partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life., thus acting the role of a guardian

Three angels announced to Abraham that he would be having a son, acting as heralds in this case.^[1]Genesis 18:1-10

Angels were used as a symbol by the House of Israel in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, where figures of Angels known as Cherubim and depicted with wings,^[2]Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. II, p. 97. were crafted for the top of the chest, known as the Mercy seat. Figures of Cherubim were also sewn into the veil that sat between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in the wilderness Tabernacle.

After the Children of Israel had been taken captive by Babylon, an Angel came as a messenger to Zechariah to tell him of the return to Jerusalem, to the construction of a temple, and the coming off the Messiah.^[3]Zechariah 1:9-16

The birth of the Savior was announced to shepherds in their fields by an Angel.^[4]Luke 2:8-12

Throughout the Old Testament stories and accounts can be found of Teachers, Messengers, Heralds and Guardians all given the title of Angel.

Some of these individuals given the title are believed to have been mortal men, Prophets and other servants of God. But others are known to have been beings sent from heaven to fulfill specific roles within the Plan.

Types of Angels

In regards to Heavenly beings sent with a task to earth, we have been taught some specific things about their nature.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said:

“There were two kinds; those who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bone. Also, the spirits of just persons made perfect who have not as yet been resurrected.,”[ref]Doctrine and Covenants 129:1-3[/ref]

He further taught

“There are none of them that minister to this earth but those who belong or have belonged to it.”^[5]Doctrine and Covenants 130:5

President Joseph F. Smith further clarified this last statement:

“The messengers sent are inhabitants of this earth who died and came to unfold his visions of future events, to act as ministering angels, and wait upon the Savior. Some are ancient prophets who died and came to visit their fellow creatures on earth.”^[6]Joseph F. Smith, The Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith, pp. 435-436.

President Brigham Young added;

“Heavenly beings that live pure and holy and have attained this power through suffering. They have learned that righteousness will prevail and truth is the foundation of their existence. When appointed to a duty, a vision is opened so that they can understand the magnitude of the work to be performed. This is why they are of one heart and of one mind in faithfulness and obedience to God.”^[7] Journal of Discourses, Vol II, p. 15.

President Joseph Fielding Smith stated:

“Angels come and do only what is essential and nothing for man that he can do for himself.”^[8]Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol I, pp. 196-197.

Angels that appeared to Joseph Smith

The first of the Angels to appear to Joseph Smith would first do so on 21-22 September of 1823. This first visitor, who Joseph Smith always referred to as a Messenger and not an angel, was Moroni, the subject of this book. Moroni Appeared to Joseph 3 times that first night, and at least 19 additional times over the next six years. More will be said on Moroni throughout the rest of this book, but Moroni was just the beginning when it came to Joseph’s Angelic visitors.

On 15 May of 1829 John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, conferring upon them the Aaronic Priesthood in Harmony Pennsylvania.^[9]Doctrine and Covenants 128:20

Peter James and John appeared to Joseph and Oliver late in May of 1829 and bestowed upon them the Melchezidek Priesthood somewhere between Harmony Pennsylvania and Colesville New York.^[10]Doctrine and Covenants 128:20(According to John Taylor, other of the ancient Apostles may have appeared to Joseph and Oliver at this time as well.)^[11]Journal of Discourses, 21:94

3 April 1836 saw a series of appearances. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had been praying together at the pulpits of the Kirtland Ohio Temple. The visitations started first with the appearance of Jesus Christ, accepting the temple as his house.^[12]Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-10 This divine visitation was then followed by Prophets of previous dispensations each returning to the earth with the task of bestowing upon the Prophet of this last great dispensation the keys that they had been given charge of in life.

Moses appeared first and committed the keys of the gathering of Israel bringing together of the lost ten tribes.^[13]Doctrine and Covenants 110:11

Elias next appeared and bestowed the keys to the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham.^[14]Doctrine and Covenants 110:12

Elijah appeared and presented the keys of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the Children to the fathers.^[15]Doctrine and Covenants 110:13-16

John Taylor taught that Joseph had visitations from Seth, Enoch, Isaac, the New World Apostles and the Old-World Apostles.^[16]Gibbs, George f. “Discourse by President John Taylor,” Journal of Discourses 21:94. Orson Pratt mentioned Joseph receiving visits from Nephi and Mormon, as well as others.

Joseph Smith himself speaks of visits from Gabriel and Raphael, and of “diverse angels from Michael or Adam down to the present time”^[17]Doctrine and Covenants 128:20-21

Angels in the Temples

Angels have played important roles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many experiences are too sacred or too personal to be shared publicly. But some of these experiences are fundamental parts of the History of the Church. This is especially true with experiences that happened in the early days of the temple.^[18]Many angels, not specifically identified, as noted in Doctrine and Covenants 128:20-21. That scripture notes the voices (meaning visits) of Moroni, Michael, and Peter, James, and John. It also speaks of “the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little and there a little.” Information from History of the Church, 1:39-41, 2:381, 428; D&C 27:12-13, 110:11-16, 128:20-21; JD, 13:47, 17:374, 21:94; and Andrus, Joseph Smith, the Man and the Seer, p. 95.

Kirtland Ohio

The Kirtland Ohio Temple marked some very remarkable Angel Experiences. Especially during its dedication on Sunday, 27 March 1836.

“Frederick G. Williams arose and testified that while President Rigdon was making his prayer, an angel entered the window and took his seat between Father Smith and himself, and remained during the prayer.”^[19]Journals of Eliza R, Snow, Deseret News Press, 1943, p. 189.

President David Whitmer also saw angels in the house.”^[20]History of the Church, Vol II p. 427

More angel experiences occurred during a Quorum meeting in the temple later that night

“Brother George A. Smith arose and began to prophecy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the temple. All the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved by an invisible power. Many began to speak in tongues and prophecy. Others saw glorious visions and I (Joseph smith) beheld the temple was filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation. The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and geeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the temple), and were astonished at what was taking place.”^[21]History of the Church, Vol II, p. 428.

St. George Utah Temple

Wilford Woodruff then serving as the first president of this temple shared a Temple/Angel experience. He testified that the signers of the Declaration of Independence appeared to him and petitioned him to do work for them in the temple. This was done and included most of the Presidents of the United States up to that time as well as Christopher Columbus.^[22]Nels B. Lundwall, Temples of the Most High, (SLC: Bookcraft,) pp. 84-85, 90-91.

Logan Utah Temple

The Logan Utah temple has reports of several Angelic visitations. On 21 May 1888 President Lorenzo Snow reported the following during the dedication:

“a number of the Saints heard most heavenly voices singing. Some say the prophets Joseph, Hyrum and Brigham present in the temple.”^[23]Manti Temple Centennial Book, (SLC: Manti Temple Centennial Committee, 1988,) pp. 56-57

Over the course of the dedication, which lasted for a couple of days, other incidents were reported

“When Apostle Lyman was speaking, I heard strains of heavenly music coming from above, sometimes soft, sometimes louder; as though the choir music was wafting to and fro in the air.”^[24]Manti Temple Centennial Book, (SLC: Manti Temple Centennial Committee, 1988,) pp. 56-57

Other visitations are recorded after the dedication, such as this tory related by Elder Melvin J Ballard

“All at once a vision opened to me and I beheld a great congregation of people gathered in the east end of the font room. One by one, as each name was baptized for, one of these people climbed a stairway over the font to the vest end of the room. Not one soul was missing, but there was a person for every one of the thousand names done that day.”^[25]Nolan P. Olson, Logan Temple, The First One Hundred Years, 1978 pp. 153-154, 170-175

With these stories, as well as many others certainly unshared, is it any wonder that an Angel would eventually be chosen to adorn the spire of the temples?

A Prophesied Angel

In 700 B.C. the prophet Isaiah spoke of a book of revelation given, from “Those who slumbered, to a man who is not learned, and it would be a marvelous work and a wonder.”^[26]Isaiah 29:11-14 and 2 Nephi 27:6, 7, 9, 11, 24, 26 That book is the Book of Mormon, and as the Prophet Joseph declared, it is the “keystone off our religion”^[27]Book of Mormon introduction Page

Around A.D. 90 the Apostle John, while on the isle of Patmos, recorded a series of revelations now in the book known as Revelation. One of these revelations talked of an angel bringing forth a revelation.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”^[28]Revelation 14:6

Moroni was that angel, and the everlasting gospel he brought to preach was the Book of Mormon. Upon his first visit to Joseph, he told Joseph of a book that contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel and was a record of those who had slept.^[29]Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History 1:33-34

He told Joseph that he was the messenger sent to prepare the way before the Lord as prophesied by Malachi, and spoke of the importance of “turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.”^[30]Malachi 3:1

In a revelation dated 3 November 1831, the Lord confirmed that Moroni was the Angel in Revelation 14, seen by John “Flying in the midst of heaven having the everlasting Gospel.”^[31]Doctrine and Covenants 133:36-37